Ezra 2:62
What does Ezra 2:62 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:62 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:62 means
These sought their register among those reckoned by genealogy, but were not found; therefore they were deemed polluted and put from the priesthood. This firm decision protects the sanctity of worship. “Polluted” here means ceremonially unfit, not morally corrupt. Without written confirmation, they could not lawfully serve as priests. The verse shows the community prioritizing God’s standards over personal claims. It also models due process: records were sought, but when none were found, appropriate boundaries were set to guard the holiness of the temple and its services.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000These sought their registeramongthose that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
KJV
King James Version · 1611These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901These sought their registeramongthose that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They made search for their record among the lists of families, but their names were nowhere to be seen; so they were looked on as unclean and no longer priests.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862these have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and they have not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These sought the writing of their genealogy, and found it not, and they were cast out of the priesthood.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890These sought their genealogical register, but they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, removed from the priesthood.
Context
This verse delivers the judgment concerning unverified priestly claimants introduced in verse 61. The next verse will provide an interim remedy by the governor, directing that such individuals refrain from priestly privileges until a priest could consult Urim and Thummim (v. 63). This maintains both reverence for God’s law and openness to future clarification, balancing caution with pastoral restraint.
v.61And 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.
v.62This passage
v.63And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 44:10
But the Levites that went far from me, when Israel went astray, that went astray from me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity.
- Numbers 3:10
And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
- Leviticus 21:21
no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath a blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of Jehovah made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
- Numbers 16:39
And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, which they that were burnt had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,
- Numbers 18:7
And thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil; and ye shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.