Ezra 2:40 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:40 mean?

Ezra 2:40 lists a group of Levites who returned from exile to Jerusalem, specifically naming the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who were from the family of Hodaviah, totaling seventy-four people. This verse is part of a census that records those who came back to help rebuild the temple and reestablish worship in Jerusalem.

The book of Ezra is recounting the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Judah under Persian rule. This verse focuses on the Levites, a tribe set apart for temple duties, and highlights two family lines—Jeshua and Kadmiel—who played a key role in restoring religious life. The specific number, seventy-four, shows the relatively small group of Levites compared to the total number of returnees, which is significant in the context of temple service.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:40

• לְוִיִּיּם (Leviyyim, "Levites"): This word refers to members of the tribe of Levi, who were responsible for assisting priests and maintaining the temple. Their inclusion here emphasizes the restoration of proper worship practices.
• בְּנֵי (benê, "children" or "descendants"): This term is used twice, making it clear that the verse is talking about family lines rather than just immediate sons.
• יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua, "Jeshua") and קַדְמִיאֵל (Kadmiel): These are the heads of the two main Levite families mentioned, showing continuity with earlier generations who served in the temple.
• הוֹדַוְיָה (Hodavyah, "Hodaviah"): This name identifies the broader family group from which Jeshua and Kadmiel descended, anchoring these individuals in a specific lineage.
• שִׁבְעִים (shiv'im, "seventy") and אַרְבָּעָה (arba'ah, "four"): The exact number, seventy-four, underscores the careful record-keeping and the small size of the Levite group returning.

Why Ezra 2:40 matters

• This verse highlights the importance of the Levites in reestablishing temple worship, showing that their presence was essential for the religious life of the community.
• The small number of Levites compared to other groups returning from exile points to a challenge in fully restoring temple services, which becomes a theme in the early chapters of Ezra.
• By naming specific family lines, the verse connects the returning exiles to their heritage and underscores the continuity of Israel’s worship traditions despite years of exile.