Ezra 2:61
What does Ezra 2:61 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:61 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:61 means
Now the concern touches the priesthood: children of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who married into Barzillai the Gileadite’s family and took their name) could not verify their priestly genealogy. Adopting the prominent Barzillai name created confusion about lineage. Since priestly service demanded verified descent, failure to find their names in registers raised serious doubts. This verse highlights that even respected connections could not substitute for proper records. The community valued holiness over prestige, insisting that sacred offices be filled only by those rightly qualified.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And of the sons of the priests: sons of Habaiah, sons of Koz, sons of Barzillai (who took from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and is called by their name;)
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And of the children of the priests: the children of Hobia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai, the Galaadite, and was called by their name:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
Context
Within the section on uncertain lineage, this verse focuses on claimants to priestly status. The next verse will state the outcome: they were deemed polluted and excluded from the priesthood due to lack of records (v. 62). Then the governor will prescribe a waiting period for eating the most holy things until divine confirmation via Urim and Thummim (v. 63). This ensures priestly purity without permanently prejudging the individuals.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 17:27
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
- 1 Kings 2:7
But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom thy brother.
- Nehemiah 7:63
And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
- 2 Samuel 19:31
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan.