The Children of the Priests - Ezra 2:61

In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah and the children of Nekoda ...”,and in chapter two and verse sixty-one of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “the children of the priests” where we read,

And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:

The verse reads, “And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai;” Ezra began with the words, “and of the children” which means “and pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of the priests” which means “belonging to the principal officers, chief rulers and spiritual leaders”: “the children” whose name means “the offspring and progeny” “of Habaiah” or “belonging to Habaiah whose name means Jehovah has hidden and was the head of a priestly family who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”, “the children” whose name means “the offspring and progeny” “of Koz” or “belonging to Koz whose name means thorn and was a priest who returned from exile with Zerubbabel”, “the children” which means “the offspring and progeny” “of Barzillai” or “belonging to Barzillai whose name means my iron and was a priest and son-in-law to Barzillai the Gileadite”. Ezra shared how their were principal officers and spiritual leaders among whom were the offspring of “Habaiah, Koz and Barzillai” that went back to Jerusalem to serving in the rebuilt temple. 

The verse continues, “which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:”Ezra added the words, “which took a wife” or “that fetched, lay hold of, seized and acquired a female spouse” “of the daughters of Barzillai” which means “belonging to the female offspring and progeny belonging to Barzillai whose name means my iron and was a priest and son-in-law to Barzillai” “the Gileadite” or “whose name means rocky region and was an inhabitant of Gilead”, “and was called” which means “and was proclaimed, uttered a loud sound and appointed” “after their name” or “according to and on the basis of their, Barzillai's fame, reputation and glory”. Ezra shared how “Barzillai” married a woman who was a descendant of the man named “Barzillai” who was located in Gilead and took his family name. 

When we think through Ezra's words in this verse, we learn more about the “priests” which included the offspring of “Habaiah, Koz and Barzillai” who went back to Jerusalem, and “Barzillai” not only acquired a female spouse who was a descendant of “Barzillai”, but also took on his name. God's plan was coming together, and the people He chose were from various backgrounds. He calls people from all walks of life to join His Kingdom today, and when we receive His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His desire within us according to His perfect will and plan for our lives. 

Next time Ezra shares about the children of the priests who, “sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".