And 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.

EZRA 2:63KJV
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Ezra 2:63 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:63 mean?

Ezra 2:63 describes how the governor, called the Tirshatha, ordered that certain people should not eat the most holy food offerings until a priest could consult God using the Urim and Thummim. This meant their priestly status was uncertain, so they had to wait for a clear decision from God before taking part in sacred duties.

In this verse, the Tirshatha (the Persian-appointed governor, likely Zerubbabel) is speaking to those whose family records could not prove they were priests. The situation is about returning exiles trying to reestablish proper worship in Jerusalem. The verse shows carefulness in following religious law, especially about who could eat the special offerings reserved for priests.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:63

  • תִּרְשָׁתָא (Tirshatha): This is a Persian title for the governor, not a personal name. It highlights the official authority behind the decision.
  • אוּרִים (Urim) and תֻּמִּים (Thummim): These were sacred objects used by priests to seek God's guidance, often understood as a way to get a clear answer from God when human knowledge was lacking. Their mention shows the seriousness of making decisions about priestly status.

Why Ezra 2:63 matters

  • Ezra 2:63 clears up that not everyone claiming to be a priest could serve or eat the holy offerings without proper proof or divine confirmation.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions exactly, especially in matters of worship and leadership.
  • This decision connects to the larger theme of restoring proper worship and order among the returned exiles, showing respect for both tradition and divine guidance.

Where else these words appear

“Tirshatha” Hebrew H8660 · used in 5 verses

  • Nehemiah 7:65 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
  • Nehemiah 7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

“Thummim” Hebrew H8550 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
  • Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;

“Urim” Hebrew H224 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
  • Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
  • 1 Samuel 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.