Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Babylon » Restoration of the jews from
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up [to Jerusalem]!’”
Cross references:
2 Chronicles 36:9 : 2 Kin 24:8
2 Chronicles 36:21 : Lev 25:4; 26:43; Jer 25:11; 29:10
end of crossrefs
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia [almost seventy years after the first Jewish captives were taken to Babylon], that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might begin to be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing: Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever is among you of all His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem; He is God. read more.
And in any place where a survivor [of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews] sojourns, let the men of that place assist him with silver and gold, with goods and beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem. Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites, with all those whose spirits God had stirred up, to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, goods, beasts, and precious things, besides all that was willingly and freely offered. Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem [when he took that city] and had put in the house of his gods. These Cyrus king of Persia directed Mithredath the treasurer to bring forth and count out to Sheshbazzar [who is Zerubbabel, recognized as the legitimate heir to the throne of David] the prince of Judah. And they numbered: 30 basins of gold; 1,000 basins of silver; 29 sacrificial dishes; Of gold bowls, 30; another sort of silver bowl, 410; and other vessels, 1,000. All the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these Sheshbazzar [the governor] brought with the people of the captivity from Babylon to Jerusalem. Now these are the people of the province [of Judah] who went up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, but who came again to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city. These came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah [not the author], Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai [not Esther's relative], Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of Israel: The sons [meaning male descendants] of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 775. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812. The sons of Elam, 1,254. The sons of Zattu, 945. The sons of Zaccai, 760. The sons of Bani, 642. The sons of Bebai, 623. The sons of Azgad, 1,222. The sons of Adonikam, 666. The sons of Bigvai, 2,056. The sons of Adin, 454. The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. The sons of Bezai, 323. The sons of Jorah, 112. The sons of Hashum, 223. The sons of Gibbar, 95. The sons of Bethlehem, 123. The men of Netophah, 56. The men of Anathoth, 128. The sons of Azmaveth, 42. The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The sons of Ramah and Geba, 621. The men of Michmas, 122. The men of Bethel and Ai, 223. The sons of Nebo, 52. The sons of Magbish, 156. The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. The sons of Harim, 320. The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725. The sons of Jericho, 345. The sons of Senaah, 3,630. The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017. The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the house of Hodaviah, 74. The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. The sons of the gatekeepers: of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, in all 139. The Nethinim [the temple servants]: the sons of Ziba, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, The sons of Keros, Siaha, Padon, The sons of Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, The sons of Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, The sons of Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, The sons of Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, The sons of Uzza, Paseah, Besai, The sons of Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, The sons of Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, The sons of Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, The sons of Barkos, Sisera, Temah, The sons of Neziah [and] of Hatipha. The sons of [King] Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, Sophereth (Hassophereth), Peruda, The sons of Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, The sons of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami. All the Nethinim [the temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. And these were they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show a record of their fathers' houses or prove their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652. And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the [noted] Gileadite and had assumed their name. These sought their names among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. [Zerubbabel] the governor told them they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests' food] until there should be a priest with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could know God's will in the matter]. The whole congregation numbered 42,360, Besides their menservants and maidservants, 7,337; and among them they had 200 men and women singers. Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; Their camels were 435; their donkeys, 6,720.
And in any place where a survivor [of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews] sojourns, let the men of that place assist him with silver and gold, with goods and beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem. Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites, with all those whose spirits God had stirred up, to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, goods, beasts, and precious things, besides all that was willingly and freely offered. Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem [when he took that city] and had put in the house of his gods. These Cyrus king of Persia directed Mithredath the treasurer to bring forth and count out to Sheshbazzar [who is Zerubbabel, recognized as the legitimate heir to the throne of David] the prince of Judah. And they numbered: 30 basins of gold; 1,000 basins of silver; 29 sacrificial dishes; Of gold bowls, 30; another sort of silver bowl, 410; and other vessels, 1,000. All the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these Sheshbazzar [the governor] brought with the people of the captivity from Babylon to Jerusalem. Now these are the people of the province [of Judah] who went up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, but who came again to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his own city. These came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah [not the author], Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai [not Esther's relative], Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of Israel: The sons [meaning male descendants] of Parosh, 2,172. The sons of Shephatiah, 372. The sons of Arah, 775. The sons of Pahath-moab, namely of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812. The sons of Elam, 1,254. The sons of Zattu, 945. The sons of Zaccai, 760. The sons of Bani, 642. The sons of Bebai, 623. The sons of Azgad, 1,222. The sons of Adonikam, 666. The sons of Bigvai, 2,056. The sons of Adin, 454. The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. The sons of Bezai, 323. The sons of Jorah, 112. The sons of Hashum, 223. The sons of Gibbar, 95. The sons of Bethlehem, 123. The men of Netophah, 56. The men of Anathoth, 128. The sons of Azmaveth, 42. The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. The sons of Ramah and Geba, 621. The men of Michmas, 122. The men of Bethel and Ai, 223. The sons of Nebo, 52. The sons of Magbish, 156. The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. The sons of Harim, 320. The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725. The sons of Jericho, 345. The sons of Senaah, 3,630. The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, 973. The sons of Immer, 1,052. The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. The sons of Harim, 1,017. The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the house of Hodaviah, 74. The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. The sons of the gatekeepers: of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, in all 139. The Nethinim [the temple servants]: the sons of Ziba, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, The sons of Keros, Siaha, Padon, The sons of Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, The sons of Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, The sons of Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, The sons of Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, The sons of Uzza, Paseah, Besai, The sons of Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, The sons of Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, The sons of Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, The sons of Barkos, Sisera, Temah, The sons of Neziah [and] of Hatipha. The sons of [King] Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, Sophereth (Hassophereth), Peruda, The sons of Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, The sons of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami. All the Nethinim [the temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. And these were they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show a record of their fathers' houses or prove their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652. And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the [noted] Gileadite and had assumed their name. These sought their names among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. [Zerubbabel] the governor told them they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests' food] until there should be a priest with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could know God's will in the matter]. The whole congregation numbered 42,360, Besides their menservants and maidservants, 7,337; and among them they had 200 men and women singers. Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; Their camels were 435; their donkeys, 6,720.
Levites » The list of those who returned from captivity
The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the house of Hodaviah, 74. The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. The sons of the gatekeepers: of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai, in all 139. read more.
The Nethinim [the temple servants]: the sons of Ziba, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, The sons of Keros, Siaha, Padon, The sons of Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, The sons of Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, The sons of Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, The sons of Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, The sons of Uzza, Paseah, Besai, The sons of Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, The sons of Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, The sons of Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, The sons of Barkos, Sisera, Temah, The sons of Neziah [and] of Hatipha. The sons of [King] Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, Sophereth (Hassophereth), Peruda, The sons of Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, The sons of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami. All the Nethinim [the temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. And these were they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show a record of their fathers' houses or prove their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652. And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the [noted] Gileadite and had assumed their name. These sought their names among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. [Zerubbabel] the governor told them they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests' food] until there should be a priest with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could know God's will in the matter].
The Nethinim [the temple servants]: the sons of Ziba, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, The sons of Keros, Siaha, Padon, The sons of Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, The sons of Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, The sons of Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, The sons of Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, The sons of Uzza, Paseah, Besai, The sons of Asnah, Meunim, Nephisim, The sons of Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, The sons of Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, The sons of Barkos, Sisera, Temah, The sons of Neziah [and] of Hatipha. The sons of [King] Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, Sophereth (Hassophereth), Peruda, The sons of Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, The sons of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, Ami. All the Nethinim [the temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392. And these were they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not show a record of their fathers' houses or prove their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda, 652. And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the [noted] Gileadite and had assumed their name. These sought their names among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. [Zerubbabel] the governor told them they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests' food] until there should be a priest with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could know God's will in the matter].
Some of the sons of Israel, with some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants also went up [from Babylon] to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, Meshullam, who were chief men, and also for Joiarib and Elnathan,who were teachers. And I sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphia, telling them to say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim [temple servants] at the place Casiphia, Bring to us servants for the house of our God. And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, named Sherebiah, with his sons and his kinsmen, 18; read more.
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; Also 220 of the Nethinim, whose forefathers David and the officials had set apart [with their descendants] to attend the Levites. They were all mentioned by name.
And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, 20; Also 220 of the Nethinim, whose forefathers David and the officials had set apart [with their descendants] to attend the Levites. They were all mentioned by name.
The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, of Ater, of Talmon, of Akkub, of Hatita, and of Shobai, 138. read more.
The Nethinim [temple servants]: the sons of Ziha, of Hasupha, of Tabbaoth, Of Keros, of Sia, of Padon, Of Lebana, of Hagaba, of Shalmai, Of Hanan, of Giddel, of Gahar, Of Reaiah, of Rezin, of Nekoda, Of Gazzam, of Uzza, of Paseah, Of Besai, of Meunim, of Nephushesim, Of Bakbuk, of Hakupha, of Harhur, Of Bazlith, of Mehida, of Harsha, Of Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah, Of Neziah, of Hatipha. The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, of Sophereth, of Perida, Of Jaala, of Darkon, of Giddel, Of Shephatiah, of Hattil, of Pochereth-hazzebaim, of Amon. All the Nethinim [temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants, 392. And these were they who went up also from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they [had no birth records and] could not prove their father's house nor their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, of Tobiah, of Nekoda, 642. Of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who [was so named because he] married one of the daughters of the [noted] Gileadite Barzillai and was called by their name. These sought their registration among those recorded in the genealogies, but it was not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. The governor told them that they should refrain from eating any of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise [to determine the will of God in the matter]. The congregation all together was 42,360, Besides their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 singers, men and women. Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; Their camels, 435; their donkeys, 6,720. And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The Tirshatha or governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 530 priests' garments. Some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. What the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim [the temple servants], along with all Israel, dwelt in their towns, and were in them when the seventh month came.
The Nethinim [temple servants]: the sons of Ziha, of Hasupha, of Tabbaoth, Of Keros, of Sia, of Padon, Of Lebana, of Hagaba, of Shalmai, Of Hanan, of Giddel, of Gahar, Of Reaiah, of Rezin, of Nekoda, Of Gazzam, of Uzza, of Paseah, Of Besai, of Meunim, of Nephushesim, Of Bakbuk, of Hakupha, of Harhur, Of Bazlith, of Mehida, of Harsha, Of Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah, Of Neziah, of Hatipha. The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, of Sophereth, of Perida, Of Jaala, of Darkon, of Giddel, Of Shephatiah, of Hattil, of Pochereth-hazzebaim, of Amon. All the Nethinim [temple servants] and the sons of Solomon's servants, 392. And these were they who went up also from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they [had no birth records and] could not prove their father's house nor their descent, whether they were of Israel: The sons of Delaiah, of Tobiah, of Nekoda, 642. Of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, and of Barzillai, who [was so named because he] married one of the daughters of the [noted] Gileadite Barzillai and was called by their name. These sought their registration among those recorded in the genealogies, but it was not found; so they were excluded from the priesthood as [ceremonially] unclean. The governor told them that they should refrain from eating any of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise [to determine the will of God in the matter]. The congregation all together was 42,360, Besides their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 singers, men and women. Their horses were 736; their mules, 245; Their camels, 435; their donkeys, 6,720. And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The Tirshatha or governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 basins, 530 priests' garments. Some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the treasury for the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. What the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments. So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the Nethinim [the temple servants], along with all Israel, dwelt in their towns, and were in them when the seventh month came.
Revelation » Methods of » By urim and thummim
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment (decision) of the Urim. At Joshua’s command the people shall go out and at his command they shall come in, he and all the congregation of Israel with him.”
Moses then put the breastpiece on Aaron, and he put in the breastpiece the Urim and the Thummim [the sacred articles the high priest used when seeking God’s will concerning the nation].
In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim (Lights) and the Thummim (Perfections) [to be used for determining God’s will in a matter]. They shall be over Aaron’s heart whenever he goes before the Lord, and Aaron shall always carry the judgment (verdict, judicial decisions) of the sons of Israel over his heart before the Lord.
But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim [used like lots by the priest to determine the will of God] or by prophets.
The governor told them that they should not eat any of the most holy food until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim [to determine God’s will in the matter].
Of Levi he said,
“Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man [Aaron],
Whom You tested and proved at Massah,
With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah;
Whom You tested and proved at Massah,
With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah;
David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod.
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests’ food] until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could determine God’s will in the matter].
Tirshatha » A title of persian governors
Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 basins, 530 priests’ garments.
The governor told them that they should not eat any of the most holy food until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim [to determine God’s will in the matter].
Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the Law.
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests’ food] until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could determine God’s will in the matter].
Urim and thummim » Only priests could interpret
The governor told them that they should not eat any of the most holy food until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim [to determine God’s will in the matter].
Of Levi he said,
“Your Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man [Aaron],
Whom You tested and proved at Massah,
With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah;
Whom You tested and proved at Massah,
With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah;
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests’ food] until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could determine God’s will in the matter].
Urim and thummim » Were wanting in the second temple
The governor told them that they should not eat any of the most holy food until a priest arose with Urim and Thummim [to determine God’s will in the matter].
The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things [the priests’ food] until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim [who by consulting these articles in his breastplate could determine God’s will in the matter].