For 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.

EZRA 6:20KJV
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Ezra 6:20 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:20 mean?

Ezra 6:20 describes how the priests and Levites purified themselves together so that they were all ceremonially clean, and then they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the Israelites who had returned from exile, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. This verse highlights the careful preparation and unity among the religious leaders as they led the people in observing the Passover after returning from captivity.

The setting is the time after the Jewish people returned from Babylonian exile and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra is narrating how the community, led by priests and Levites, restored important religious practices. The verse emphasizes the shared responsibility of the priests and Levites in making sure everyone could participate in the Passover, showing both their dedication to ritual purity and their service to the whole community.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 6:20

  • "Purified" (טָהֵר, ṭāhēr) and "pure" (טָהוֹר, ṭāhôr) both stress the importance of ritual cleanliness. The repetition underlines that every priest and Levite was fully prepared according to the law, not just outwardly but in a way that met all requirements.
  • "Killed" (שָׁחַט, shāḥaṭ) means to slaughter, specifically referring to the act of preparing the Passover lamb. This shows the Levites' active role in helping the people observe the festival, which was especially important since not everyone could perform the sacrifice themselves.
  • "Passover" (פֶּסַח, pesach) refers to the central festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. The mention here connects the returned exiles to their ancestors' story of redemption and God's faithfulness.
  • "Children of the captivity" (בְּנֵי הַגּוֹלָה, bənê haggolah) literally means "sons of the exile," highlighting that those participating were the returned exiles, not just any Israelites. This phrase ties the ritual directly to the community's recent history of return and restoration.

Why Ezra 6:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priests and Levites took special care to be ritually clean before leading the Passover, emphasizing the seriousness with which they approached their duties.
  • By mentioning that the Levites killed the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, their fellow priests, and themselves, the verse shows a spirit of service and unity among the leaders and the people.
  • The verse connects the returned exiles' worship to the ancient traditions of Israel, reinforcing their restored identity and continuity with their ancestors despite years of captivity.

Where else these words appear

“captivity” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

“passover” Hebrew H6453 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
  • Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.

“killed” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 2 Kings 10:7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.

“purified” Hebrew H2891 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
  • Leviticus 14:31 Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one