The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, from the family of Hodaviah, numbered seventy-four.
This verse records that seventy-four Levites from specific families returned from exile to help rebuild the temple and restore worship in Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Ezra, chapter 2 records the list of exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon around 538 BC after King Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple and restore their community. This verse specifically enumerates the Levites, a tribe dedicated to religious service in the Temple, and highlights their descendants to emphasize the importance of maintaining pure lineage for sacred duties. Such genealogies were essential in ancient Israel for ensuring the legitimacy of those who would serve in worship and temple functions.
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