Ezra 2:36

The Priests. The children of Iedaiah, of the house of Ieshua, nine hundred, seuentie and three. Ezra 2:36 (KJV)

Context: The book of Ezra records the history of the Jewish people returning from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra 2 contains a list of the heads of households who returned, including the priests.

The priests: In this verse the focus is on the priests who returned to Jerusalem. They played a significant role in the religious life of Israel, being responsible for offering sacrifices, leading worship, and teaching the people the laws of God.

The children of Jedaiah: Jedaiah was the father or ancestor of the priests mentioned here. The phrase “the children of” indicates their lineage or descent from Jedaiah.

The house of Jeshua: Jeshua was another prominent figure among the priests who returned, serving as high priest at that time. The phrase “the house of” signifies that the priests were part of the family or lineage of Jeshua.

Nine hundred seventy and three: This number refers to the total count of priests from the family of Jedaiah who returned. The specific number highlights the accuracy and attention to detail in the record of the returning exiles.

Significance: The return of the priests to Jerusalem was crucial for the restoration of religious life and the reestablishment of worship in the rebuilt temple. Their presence ensured the continuation of the sacrificial system and the offering of prayers on behalf of the people.

The detailed enumeration of the priestly families underscores God’s faithfulness to His covenant, as the priesthood was essential for mediating between God and Israel. Their return marked a pivotal step toward reestablishing covenant worship and a renewed spiritual identity for the post‑exilic community.