Ezra 6:20
What does Ezra 6:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 6:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 6:20 means
Priests and Levites have purified themselves together—“all of them were pure”—and they slaughter the Passover for the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. This highlights the necessity of holiness among ministers and people alike. The priests and Levites serve on behalf of the community, ensuring that the rite is carried out properly and that everyone may partake worthily. Unity and mutual service mark the celebration. God’s people approach Him not casually, but cleansed and ordered according to His word, so that the remembrance of redemption is both sincere and fitting.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the priests and the Levites had made themselves clean together; they were all clean: and they put the Passover lamb to death for all those who had come back, and for their brothers the priests and for themselves.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the priests and the Levites have been purified together--all of them <FI>are<Fi> pure--and they slaughter the passover for all the sons of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For all the priests and the Levites were purified as one man: all were clean to kill the phase for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and themselves.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves as one [man]: they were all pure; and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Context
Following the announcement of Passover, this verse focuses on the readiness of the ministers and the inclusive scope of their service. It prepares the way for verse 21, where the participants are defined as those who have returned and all who separated themselves from the nations’ impurity to seek Jehovah. After that, verse 22 will extend the joy into the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread and attribute their gladness to Jehovah’s work in turning the king’s heart to strengthen them.
v.19And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
v.20This passage
v.21And the children of Israel that were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, did eat,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 35:11
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them.
- 2 Chronicles 29:34
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
- Hebrews 7:27
who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.
- Exodus 12:21
Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out, and take you lambs according to your families, and kill the passover.
- 2 Chronicles 30:15
Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought burnt-offerings into the house of Jehovah.