Ezra 2:63
What does Ezra 2:63 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 2:63 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 2:63 means
The governor instructed that these claimants should not eat of the most holy things until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim. This ruling withholds priestly privileges while leaving room for divine confirmation. Urim and Thummim, sacred lots used for discerning God’s will, represent seeking authoritative guidance. The governor’s decision protects holiness without closing the door on rightful service if God were to vindicate them. The verse captures the community’s desire to align restored worship with God’s standards, depending on divine guidance for difficult cases.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Tirshatha said that they were not to have the most holy things for their food, till a priest came to give decision by Urim and Thummim.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Tirshatha saith to them, that they eat not of the most holy things till the standing up of a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holy of holies, till there arose a priest learned and perfect.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Tirshatha said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Context
Concluding the section on uncertain lineages, this verse sets an interim policy rooted in reverence and prudence. With this matter settled for the time, the chapter will now present the grand totals of the assembly, servants, and animals (vv. 64–67), followed by the account of freewill offerings for the temple and the settlers taking up residence in their cities (vv. 68–70). The story moves from identity questions to the practical resources and generosity fueling restoration.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 33:8
And of Levi he said, Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with thy godly one, Whom thou didst prove at Massah, With whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
- Leviticus 22:14
And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give unto the priest the holy thing.
- Leviticus 7:16
But if the sacrifice of his oblation be a vow, or a freewill-offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offereth his sacrifice; and on the morrow that which remaineth of it shall be eaten:
- Nehemiah 7:65
And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
- Numbers 18:32
And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best thereof: and ye shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, that ye die not.
- Leviticus 22:2
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they hallow unto me, and that they profane not my holy name: I am Jehovah.