So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

EZRA 2:70KJV
Know the Bible

Ezra 2:70 (KJV)

What does Ezra 2:70 mean?

Ezra 2:70 describes how, after returning from exile, the priests, Levites, some of the people, singers, porters, and Nethinims settled in their own towns, and all Israel lived in their respective cities. The verse marks the end of a long list of returnees, showing that the community was reestablished in the land.

This verse comes at the close of a chapter listing those who returned from Babylon to Judah. The writer is summarizing how each group—religious leaders, temple workers, and ordinary people—found their place in the land again. It highlights the restoration of both the people and their organized way of life after years of displacement.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 2:70

  • כֹּהֵן (kohen, H3548): "priests" refers to those from the priestly families responsible for temple sacrifices and rituals. Their presence shows the restoration of proper worship.
  • לֵוִי (levi, H3881): "Levites" were assistants to the priests, involved in temple service. Their inclusion signals the reestablishment of temple functions.
  • נָתִין (nethinim, H5411): "Nethinims" were temple servants, likely descendants of groups assigned to help the Levites. Mentioning them shows the full support structure for worship was restored.
  • יָשַׁב (yashav, H3427): "dwelt" means to settle or live in a place, emphasizing that these groups were not just passing through but were reestablishing permanent homes.

Why Ezra 2:70 matters

  • Ezra 2:70 clarifies that the return from exile was not just about individuals but about restoring the whole community, with each group returning to its traditional role.
  • The verse shows the careful organization of the people, highlighting that worship and daily life were both priorities in the restoration.
  • By ending with everyone "dwelling in their cities," the verse connects the returnees to their ancestral land, fulfilling promises of restoration and continuity.

Where else these words appear

“Nethinims” Hebrew H5411 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:2 Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
  • Ezra 8:17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
  • Nehemiah 7:60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

“porters” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

“singers” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.