Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them

of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.


Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them and divided between them the silver, the gold, the vessels, and the offering for the Temple of our God which the king had offered, along with his advisors, his senior officials, and all of Israel assembled there. I divided among them 650 silver talents, silver utensils weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, read more.
20 gold basins weighing 1,000 darics each, and two vessels made of polished brass, as valuable as gold. I told them, "You are consecrated to the LORD, and the vessels are also consecrated. The silver and the gold are a freely given offering to the LORD God of your ancestors. Guard and protect them until you disperse them to the chief priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the family leaders of Israel at Jerusalem in the chambers of the Temple of the LORD." So the priests and descendants of Levi took possession of the silver, the gold, and the vessels in order to bring them to Jerusalem, to the Temple of our God.


They spent the night near the Temple of God, since they had been entrusted to guard it. They were in charge of opening it every morning. Some were responsible for the service utensils, and they were required to take an inventory of them when they were brought in and out. Others were responsible for the furniture and for all of the holy utensils, including the flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices.

David then gathered together all of the leaders of Israel, including the priests and descendants of Levi. descendants of Levi 30 years old and above were counted for a total of 38,000. "24,000 of these," David said, "are to be set in charge of the work of the Temple of the LORD, with 6,000 serving as officers and judges, read more.
with 4,000 gatekeepers, and with 4,000 offering praises to the LORD with the musical instruments that I have had crafted." David divided them into divisions based on Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, Levi's sons. The descendants of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei. The three descendants of Ladan included Jehiel (their chief), Zetham, and Joel. The three descendants of Shimei included Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran. These were the heads of families of Ladan. The descendants of Shimei included Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were sons of Shimei. Jahath served as chief and Zizah was second in rank, but since Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, they were enrolled as a single family unit. The four descendants of Kohath included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The descendants of Amram included Aaron and Moses. Aaron had been set apart to consecrate the most holy things, with the intent that he and his sons should present offerings in the LORD's presence forever, ministering to him and pronouncing blessings in his name forever. Meanwhile, as for Moses the man of God, his sons were considered among the tribe of Levi. The descendants of Moses included Gershom and Eliezer. The descendants of Gershom included Shebuel as their chief. The descendants of Eliezer included Rehabiah as their chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many descendants. The descendants of Izhar included Shelomith their chief. The descendants of Hebron included Jeriah their chief, Amariah their second in rank, Jahaziel their third, and Jekameam their fourth. The descendants of Uzziel included Micah their chief and Isshiah their second in rank. The descendants of Merari included Mahli and Mushi. The descendants of Mahli included Eleazar and Kish, but Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters. Their relatives (the descendants of Kish) married them. The three descendants of Mushi included Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. These were the descendants of Levi according to their ancestral households, with family heads documented according to the names of persons 20 years and older who were appointed to perform work in service to the Temple of the LORD. For David had said "The LORD God of Israel has granted rest to his people, and he has taken Israel as his eternal residence. Therefore the descendants of Levi are no longer to carry the Tent or its service implements." Since, according to David's final instructions, the list above contains the total number of descendants of Levi from the age of 20 years and upward, David issued these orders: "Instead, they are to assist by lending a hand to the descendants of Aaron regarding service to the Temple of the LORD relating to the courts, the chambers, purification of everything pertaining to holiness, and to anything else pertaining to service on behalf of the Temple of God, including assisting with the rows of showbread, selecting flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened bread, baked offerings, and oil-based offerings, no matter what the quantity or sizes. They are to take their stand morning by morning, thanking and praising the LORD right through until the evening, whenever burnt offerings are presented to the LORD, whether on Sabbaths, New Moons, or scheduled festivals, regularly in the LORD's presence in accordance with the number required to conduct their service. By doing this, they will fulfill their obligation as trustees over the Tent of Assembly and the Sanctuary, attending to the needs of their relatives, who are descendants of Aaron, in keeping with their service on behalf of the Temple of the LORD."

Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them and divided between them the silver, the gold, the vessels, and the offering for the Temple of our God which the king had offered, along with his advisors, his senior officials, and all of Israel assembled there. I divided among them 650 silver talents, silver utensils weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, read more.
20 gold basins weighing 1,000 darics each, and two vessels made of polished brass, as valuable as gold. I told them, "You are consecrated to the LORD, and the vessels are also consecrated. The silver and the gold are a freely given offering to the LORD God of your ancestors. Guard and protect them until you disperse them to the chief priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the family leaders of Israel at Jerusalem in the chambers of the Temple of the LORD." So the priests and descendants of Levi took possession of the silver, the gold, and the vessels in order to bring them to Jerusalem, to the Temple of our God. Then we left the Ahava River for Jerusalem on the twelfth day of the first month. Our God's protection was with us, and he delivered us from the enemy's power and from ambush along the way. We arrived in Jerusalem and remained there three days. On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the vessels were distributed at the Temple of our God into the care of Uriah's son Meremoth the priest, Phinehas' son Eleazar, Jeshua's son Jozabad, and Binnui's son Noadiah, the descendants of Levi. Distribution was according to inventory and weight, with all weights being recorded at that time.


I hereby decree that all of the people of Israel along with their priests and descendants of Levi in my kingdom who are determined to return to Jerusalem with you may do so. You have authority to act for the king and for his Council of Seven to conduct an inquiry concerning Judah and Jerusalem in accordance with the Law of your God, which is in your possession. You are carrying silver and gold that the king and his advisors have freely given to the God of Israel, whose Temple is in Jerusalem, read more.
together with all of the silver and gold that you can raise in the province of Babylon, plus the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests, contributed for the Temple of their God, which is in Jerusalem. Accordingly, you are to exercise due diligence to utilize this money to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, grain offerings, and drink offerings, and to offer them upon the altar of the Temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem. Furthermore, the balance remaining of the silver and gold may be used for whatever other purpose you and your people desire, as long as such use is consistent with the will of your God. Furthermore, you are to deliver to the God of Jerusalem the vessels for the service of the Temple of your God that have been given to you. Furthermore, provide from the royal treasury whatever else may be needed for the Temple of your God. I, Artaxerxes, in my capacity as king, hereby decree to all royal treasuries beyond the Euphrates River that whatever Ezra the priest-scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven, may require of you are to be performed with all due diligence, up to 100 silver talents, 100 measures of wheat, 100 measures of wine, 100 measures of oil, and salt without limitation. Whatever is commanded by the God of Heaven is to be done with all due diligence for the Temple of the God of Heaven, or wrath will come against the king's realm and his sons. Furthermore, we decree that with respect to any of the priests, descendants of Levi, singers, gatekeepers, Temple Servants, or other servants of this Temple of God, it is not to be lawful to impose any tribute, tax, or toll on them. And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom given to you by your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people beyond the Euphrates River. All of them are to know the laws of your God, and you are to instruct those who do not know them. Whoever refuses to practice the law of your God and the law of the king is to see judgment executed quickly, whether to death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment. Blessed be the LORD God of our ancestors, who placed this decree into the king's heart to beautify the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem

Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them and divided between them the silver, the gold, the vessels, and the offering for the Temple of our God which the king had offered, along with his advisors, his senior officials, and all of Israel assembled there. I divided among them 650 silver talents, silver utensils weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, read more.
20 gold basins weighing 1,000 darics each, and two vessels made of polished brass, as valuable as gold. I told them, "You are consecrated to the LORD, and the vessels are also consecrated. The silver and the gold are a freely given offering to the LORD God of your ancestors. Guard and protect them until you disperse them to the chief priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the family leaders of Israel at Jerusalem in the chambers of the Temple of the LORD." So the priests and descendants of Levi took possession of the silver, the gold, and the vessels in order to bring them to Jerusalem, to the Temple of our God. Then we left the Ahava River for Jerusalem on the twelfth day of the first month. Our God's protection was with us, and he delivered us from the enemy's power and from ambush along the way. We arrived in Jerusalem and remained there three days. On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the vessels were distributed at the Temple of our God into the care of Uriah's son Meremoth the priest, Phinehas' son Eleazar, Jeshua's son Jozabad, and Binnui's son Noadiah, the descendants of Levi. Distribution was according to inventory and weight, with all weights being recorded at that time. The descendants of those who had been taken into captivity and who had returned from captivity offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all of Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering all of them burnt offerings to the LORD. Then they delivered copies of the king's orders to the king's officers, and governors on this side of the Euphrates River. The orders were in support of the people and God's Temple.


Descendants of the Priests: Descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai, who married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that name.

In response, the heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and descendants of Levi, and all those who had been prompted by God, prepared to travel to rebuild the Temple of the LORD, which was in Jerusalem.

Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them and divided between them the silver, the gold, the vessels, and the offering for the Temple of our God which the king had offered, along with his advisors, his senior officials, and all of Israel assembled there. I divided among them 650 silver talents, silver utensils weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, read more.
20 gold basins weighing 1,000 darics each, and two vessels made of polished brass, as valuable as gold. I told them, "You are consecrated to the LORD, and the vessels are also consecrated. The silver and the gold are a freely given offering to the LORD God of your ancestors. Guard and protect them until you disperse them to the chief priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the family leaders of Israel at Jerusalem in the chambers of the Temple of the LORD." So the priests and descendants of Levi took possession of the silver, the gold, and the vessels in order to bring them to Jerusalem, to the Temple of our God.

Two years and two months after arriving at the site of the Temple of God in Jerusalem, Shealtiel's son Zerubbabel, Jozadak's son Jeshua, the relatives of the priests and descendants of Levi, and everyone else who had left the Babylonian captivity for Jerusalem appointed descendants of Levi who were 20 years old and older to oversee the work of the LORD's Temple.

Some of the descendants of Israel also left for Jerusalem, including the priests, the descendants of Levi, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Temple Servants, during the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

As a result, the priests, descendants of Levi, certain people, the singers, door-keepers, and the Temple Servants were able to settle in their original cities, with the rest of the Israelis in their cities.

The Priests: Descendants of Jedaiah from the household of Jeshua: 973 Descendants of Immer: 1,052 Descendants of Pashhur: 1,247 read more.
Descendants of Harim: 1,017

The Priests: Jedaiah's descendants from the household of Jeshua: 973 Immer's descendants: 1,052 Pashhur's descendants: 1,247 read more.
Harim's descendants: 1,017

Of the Priests: Descendants of Habaiah, Koz, and Barzillai, who married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that name. These people searched for their ancestral records, but they couldn't be located. Accordingly, they were considered disqualified from the priesthood. The governor ordered them not to eat anything holy until a priest would be installed with Urim and Thummim. read more.
The entire assembly numbered 42,360, not including their 7,337 male and female servants. They had 245 men and women singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor contributed 1,000 gold drachmas to the treasury, along with 50 basins, and 530 priestly garments. Some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver units for the work. The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver units, and 67 priestly garments. The priests, descendants of Levi, gatekeepers, singers, some of the people, the Temple Servants, and all the Israelis settled in their cities.

Here is a list of those who signed: Hacaliah's son Nehemiah the governor, Zedekiah, Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah, read more.
Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch, Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah these are the priests.

These are the priests and descendants of Levi who had returned with Shealtiel's son Zerubbabel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, read more.
Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaih, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the time of Jeshua.


Seven months later, the Israelis had settled in their own cities.

Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the rostrum assigned for use by the descendants of Levi and cried out loudly to the LORD their God. Then the descendants of Levi Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said, "Stand up and bless the LORD your God from eternity to eternity! Blessed be your glorious name! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!

By the grace of our God they brought back a discerning man from the descendants of Mahli, a descendant of Israel's son Levi, along with Sherebiah and eighteen of his sons and brothers;

Next I selected twelve of the chief priests Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them