Ezra 8:1
Ezra 8:1 in Multiple Translations
These are the family heads and genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
Now these are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king:
Now these are the heads of families who were listed of those who went up with me from Babylon, when Artaxerxes was king.
This is a list of the family leaders and genealogical records of those who came back with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:
These are now the chiefe fathers of them, and the genealogie of them that came vp with mee from Babel, in the reigne of King Artahshashte.
And these [are] heads of their fathers, and the genealogy of those going up with me, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king, from Babylon.
Now these are the heads of their fathers’ households, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king:
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
Now these are the chiefs of families, and the genealogy of them, who came up with me from Babylon in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
This is a list of the names of the leaders of the clans who came with me up to Jerusalem from Babylonia when Artaxerxes was the king of Persia:
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 8:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezra 8:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֛לֶּה
רָאשֵׁ֥י
אֲבֹתֵי/הֶ֖ם
וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם
הָ/עֹלִ֣ים
עִמִּ֗/י
בְּ/מַלְכ֛וּת
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
מִ/בָּבֶֽל
וְ/אֵ֛לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Conj | Pron
רָאשֵׁ֥י
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-mp
אֲבֹתֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם
yâchas
H3187
to enroll
Conj | V-Hithpael-Inf-a | Suff
הָ/עֹלִ֣ים
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Art | V-Qal
עִמִּ֗/י
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
בְּ/מַלְכ֛וּת
malkûwth
H4438
royalty
Prep | N-fs
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא
ʼArtachshashtâʼ
H783
Artaxerxes
N-proper
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
מִ/בָּבֶֽל
Bâbel
H894
Babylon
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 8:1
וְ/אֵ֛לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Conj | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
רָאשֵׁ֥י
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
אֲבֹתֵי/הֶ֖ם
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וְ/הִתְיַחְשָׂ֑/ם
yâchas
H3187
"to enroll"
Conj | V-Hithpael-Inf-a | Suff
To enroll means to officially record or list someone's name, often for genealogical purposes. This word is used to describe the process of reckoning or numbering people in a family tree or genealogy.
Definition: (Hithpael) to reckon genealogically, enrol on a genealogy, enrol, be enrolled
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be reckoned by genealogies. See also: 1 Chronicles 4:33; 2 Chronicles 12:15; Nehemiah 7:64.
הָ/עֹלִ֣ים
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Art | V-Qal
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
עִמִּ֗/י
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
בְּ/מַלְכ֛וּת
malkûwth
H4438
"royalty"
Prep | N-fs
Royalty or royal power refers to the authority and dominion of a king or queen, like Solomon's reign in Israel. It can also mean the kingdom or territory ruled by a monarch. The word is used in the Bible to describe sovereign power and authority.
Definition: 1) royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom, sovereign power 1a) royal power, dominion 1b) reign 1c) kingdom, realm Aramaic equivalent: mal.khu (מַלְכוּ "kingdom" H4437)
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal. See also: Numbers 24:7; Esther 1:9; Psalms 45:7.
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא
ʼArtachshashtâʼ
H783
"Artaxerxes"
N-proper
Artaxerxes was a title given to several Persian kings, including the one who ruled during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. He played a significant role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.7 Also named: ar.tach.shash.ta (אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתְּא "Artaxerxes" H0783B) § Artaxerxes = "I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter" son and successor of Xerxes as emperor of Persia, 465-424 BC
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Artaxerxes. See also: Ezra 4:7; Ezra 7:11; Nehemiah 13:6.
הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
מִ/בָּבֶֽל
Bâbel
H894
"Babylon"
Prep | N-proper
Babel refers to Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It appears in Genesis 11:9 and is associated with the tower of Babel. The city was situated on the Euphrates River.
Definition: § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates
Usage: Occurs in 233 OT verses. KJV: Babel, Babylon. See also: Genesis 10:10; Jeremiah 29:22; Psalms 87:4.
Study Notes — Ezra 8:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezra 8:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezra 8:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 8:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
- Cambridge Bible on Ezra 8:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
- Sermons on Ezra 8:1
Context — The Exiles Who Returned with Ezra
1These are the family heads and genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:
2from the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom; from the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel; from the descendants of David, Hattush 3of the descendants of Shecaniah; from the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 7:7 | So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, he went up to Jerusalem with some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants. |
| 2 | Ezra 2:62 | These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 9:1 | So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 24:31 | As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 26:12 | The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2,600. |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 26:32 | Among Jerijah’s relatives there were 2,700 capable men who were heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and to the affairs of the king. |
| 7 | 1 Chronicles 4:33 | and all their surrounding villages as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record: |
| 8 | Ezra 7:13 | I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem. |
| 9 | Nehemiah 7:70–71 | Some of the heads of the families contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the project 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 9:34 | All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem. |
Ezra 8:1 Summary
This verse is about Ezra listing the family heads and their genealogical records as they returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. It shows that Ezra was careful to make sure the right people were returning to rebuild the temple and restore the worship of the Lord, just like God instructed in Deuteronomy 12:5-7. By doing so, Ezra was being faithful to God's commands and ensuring the Israelites' obedience to His laws, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:1-2. This reminds us of the importance of being mindful of our own spiritual heritage and preserving our faith for future generations, as encouraged in Psalm 78:4-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the genealogical records in Ezra 8:1?
The genealogical records were crucial in verifying the lineage of the returning Israelites, ensuring they were indeed descendants of Abraham, as promised in Genesis 12:7, and had the right to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
Who was King Artaxerxes and why is he mentioned in Ezra 8:1?
King Artaxerxes was the Persian king who allowed the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, as seen in Ezra 7:11-28, and his reign marked a significant turning point in Israel's history, much like the reign of King Cyrus in Ezra 1:1-4.
Why did Ezra return with these family heads from Babylon?
Ezra returned with these family heads to lead the people in rebuilding the temple and restoring the worship of the Lord in Jerusalem, as commanded in Deuteronomy 12:5-7, and to ensure the Israelites' obedience to God's laws, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 4:1-2.
What can we learn from the fact that Ezra lists the family heads and their genealogical records?
This attention to detail highlights the importance of preserving family lineage and heritage, as seen in 1 Chronicles 1-9, and demonstrates Ezra's commitment to accuracy and accountability in his leadership, reflecting the values of integrity and faithfulness found in Proverbs 10:9.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's concern for the details of our lives and the importance of preserving our spiritual heritage?
- How does Ezra's action of recording the family heads and their genealogical records inspire me to be more mindful of my own family's spiritual legacy?
- What can I learn from the example of Ezra's leadership and attention to detail in this verse, and how can I apply it to my own life and relationships?
- In what ways can I, like Ezra, prioritize the preservation of my faith and the faith of my family, and ensure that we remain committed to following God's commands, as seen in Joshua 24:15?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 8:1
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them,.... Which follows from hence to the end of Ezr 8:14, that went up with me from Babylon; with Ezra the priest and scribe,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 8:1
These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. This is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
Ezra 8:1 These [are] now the chief of their fathers, and [this is] the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king.Ver. 1. These are now the chief of their fathers] The chieftains of those that went up with Ezra, beside those that went up at first with Zerubbabel.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
VIII.(1-14) A list of the chief names, given by families, of those who accompanied Ezra. (1) This is the genealogy.—The names of the heads of houses is followed generally by that of the wider families they belonged to. With this list is to be compared the register of those who went up with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 seq.).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
CHAPTER VIII The genealogy of the chief persons who went with Ezra from Babylon, 1-14. He gathers them together at Ahava; and finding among them no Levites, he sends confidential persons to the river of Ahava, who return with many Levites and Nethinim, 15-20. He proclaims a fast at Ahava for Divine protection on their journey, 21-23. He delivers to the care of the priests c., the silver, gold, and sacred vessels, that they might carry them to Jerusalem, and deliver them to the high priest, 24-30. They depart from Ahava, and come to Jerusalem, 31, 32. The vessels are weighed and the weight registered, 33, 34. They offer burnt-offerings to God, 35 deliver the king's commissions to his lieutenants, by whom they are furthered in their work, 36. NOTES ON CHAP. VIII
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 8:1
Chap. Ezra 8:1-20. The List of those that went up with Ezra to Jerusalem(a) 1–14. List of the Heads of Fathers’ Houses, accompanying Ezra1. These are now the chief of their fathers] R.V. Now these are the heads of their fathers’ houses. Literally, ‘now these are the heads of their fathers’, a shortened form of expression, as in Ezra 2:68. and this is the genealogy of them] In the following list we have the names both of the houses and of their chiefs or representatives. On the word ‘genealogy’ see Ezra 2:62. The LXX. οἱὁδηγοί.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 8:1
OF EZRA’S FROM BABYLON, Ezra 8:1-14. 1. Chief of their fathers — This is not a list of the names of Ezra’s companions, nor even of all the elders or chief fathers among them, but rather a record of
Sermons on Ezra 8:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jabez by Douglas Crossman | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of God's people being brought out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. God made a covenant with them, promising to be with them and |
|
Called to Build God's House by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of how our lives will be recorded by the Spirit of God. He shares a personal experience of walking through a cemetery and rea |