Ezra 2:40 Study Bible: The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.

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The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah), 74.

The Levites:
The Levites were a distinct tribe in Israel, set apart for religious duties and service in the temple. They did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes but were given cities to live in throughout Israel. Their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual life of the nation, as they assisted the priests and took care of the tabernacle and later the temple. This highlights the importance of dedicated service to God and the community.

the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel
Jeshua and Kadmiel were leaders among the Levites who returned from Babylonian exile. Jeshua, also known as Joshua, was a common name meaning "The Lord is salvation," and he played a significant role in the rebuilding of the temple. Kadmiel means "God is of old" or "God is ancient," indicating a connection to the enduring faithfulness of God. These names reflect the hope and continuity of God's promises to His people.

(through the line of Hodaviah),
Hodaviah, meaning "praise of the Lord," is a lesser-known figure, but his mention signifies the importance of lineage and heritage in the Jewish tradition. The genealogical record underscores the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the fulfillment of His promises through specific family lines. This also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a faithful lineage in service to God.

74
The number 74 represents the specific count of Levites from this lineage who returned to Jerusalem. This precise number indicates the careful record-keeping and the importance of each individual in the restoration of the temple worship. It reflects the remnant theme found throughout Scripture, where God preserves a faithful group to continue His work, pointing to the faithfulness of God in preserving His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Levites
A tribe set apart for religious duties and temple service in Israel. They played a crucial role in worship and maintaining the spiritual life of the nation.

2. Jeshua
A leader among the Levites, possibly the same Jeshua who was a high priest during the return from Babylonian exile. His leadership was vital in re-establishing worship in Jerusalem.

3. Kadmiel
Another leader among the Levites, working alongside Jeshua. His name means "God is my ancient one," indicating a heritage of faith.

4. Hodaviah
A family line within the Levites. The name means "praise of Yahweh," reflecting the Levites' role in worship and praise.

5. 74
The number of Levites from these families who returned from exile, highlighting the remnant committed to restoring worship in Jerusalem.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
The Levites' return highlights the need for dedicated spiritual leaders in rebuilding and maintaining a community of faith.

Faithfulness in Small Numbers
The relatively small number of Levites (74) reminds us that God can work powerfully through a faithful remnant.

Heritage of Worship
The names and lineage of the Levites emphasize the importance of a heritage rooted in worship and praise of God.

Commitment to Restoration
The Levites' return from exile demonstrates a commitment to restoring proper worship and community life, a model for spiritual renewal today.

Role of Praise in Community Life
The Levites' role in leading worship underscores the centrality of praise and worship in maintaining a vibrant spiritual community.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the Levites in Ezra 2:40 inspire us to value spiritual leadership in our own communities?

2. In what ways can we, like the Levites, contribute to the restoration and renewal of our faith communities today?

3. Reflect on the significance of a small group of faithful individuals (like the 74 Levites) in effecting change. How can this encourage us in our personal ministry?

4. How does understanding the historical role of the Levites enhance our appreciation for worship and service in the church today?

5. What can we learn from the Levites' commitment to their heritage of worship, and how can we apply this to our own spiritual practices?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Numbers 3
Provides background on the role and duties of the Levites, emphasizing their importance in the tabernacle and later temple service.

Nehemiah 7
Offers a parallel account of the returnees, including the Levites, underscoring the continuity and importance of their role in rebuilding the community.

1 Chronicles 23
Details the organization of the Levites under King David, showing the historical roots of their service and responsibilities.

Sermons

Spiritual Significances	W. Clarkson	Ezra 2:1-67
Men Forsaking the Worldly Life	J.S. Exell	Ezra 2:1-70
A Suggestive Record	William Jones.	Ezra 2:2-64
Religious Service	William Jones.	Ezra 2:2-64

People

Akkub, Ami, Asaph, Asnah, Ater, Baanah, Bakbuk, Barkos, Barzillai, Bazluth, Besai, Bigvai, Bilshan, Darkon, Delaiah, Gahar, Gazzam, Giddel, Habaiah, Hagab, Hagabah, Hakkoz, Hakupha, Hanan, Harhur, Harsha, Hasupha, Hatipha, Hatita, Hattil, Hezekiah, Hodaviah, Immer, Israelites, Jaalah, Jedaiah, Jeshua, Joab, Jorah, Kadmiel, Keros, Koz, Lebanah, Mehida, Mehunim, Meunim, Mizpar, Mordecai, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah, Nekoda, Nephusim, Neziah, Padon, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Paseah, Pashur, Peruda, Phaseah, Pochereth, Reaiah, Reelaiah, Rehum, Rezin, Seraiah, Shallum, Shalmai, Shephatiah, Shobai, Siaha, Sisera, Solomon, Sophereth, Sotai, Tabbaoth, Talmon, Thamah, Tobiah, Tobijah, Uzza, Zaccai, Zattu, Zerubbabel, Ziha

Places

Ai, Anathoth, Azmaveth, Babylon, Babylonia, Beeroth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Cherub, Geba, Hadid, Immer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kiriath-arim, Lod, Michmas, Nebo, Netophah, Ono, Ramah, Tel-harsha, Tel-melah

Topics

Descendants, Hodaviah, Hodavi'ah, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Kad'mi-el, Levites, Line, Seventy, Seventy-four, Sons

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Ezra 2:1-65

5249 census

Ezra 2:1-67

7230 genealogies

Library

Altar and Temple
'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Apocalypse.
On the Lit. and life of John, see §§ 40 and 41 (this vol.); on the authorship of the Apoc. and the time of composition, § 37 (this vol.); § 41 (this vol.); and § 84 (this vol.) 1. Modern Critical, works of German and French scholars on the Apocalypse: Lücke (Voltständige Einleitung, etc., 2d ed., 1852; 1,074 pages of introductory matter, critical and historical; compare with it the review of Bleek in the "Studien and Kritiken" for 1854 and 1855); DeWette Com., 1848, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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