Ezra 2:40
Ezra 2:40 in Multiple Translations
The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah ), 74.
¶ The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
This is the number of the Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel (sons of Hodaviah), 74;
The Leuites: the sonnes of Ieshua, and Kadmiel of the sonnes of Hodauiah, seuentie and foure.
The Levites; sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
The Levites: the children of Josue and of Cedmihel, the children of Odovia, seventy-four.
74descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who were from the family of Hodaviah
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 2:40
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 2:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
בְּנֵי
יֵשׁ֧וּעַ
וְ/קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל
לִ/בְנֵ֥י
הוֹדַוְיָ֖ה
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
וְ/אַרְבָּעָֽה
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
Levi
Art | Ngmpa
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יֵשׁ֧וּעַ
Yêshûwaʻ
H3442
Jeshua
N-proper
וְ/קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל
Qadmîyʼêl
H6934
Kadmiel
Conj | N-proper
לִ/בְנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
הוֹדַוְיָ֖ה
Hôwdavyâh
H1938
Hodaviah
N-proper
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
וְ/אַרְבָּעָֽה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 2:40
הַ/לְוִיִּ֑ם
Lêvîyîy
H3881
"Levi"
Art | Ngmpa
A Levite is a descendant of Levi, one of Jacob's 12 sons, mentioned in Genesis 29:34. Levi's brothers include Reuben, Simeon, and Judah. His descendants played a key role in Israel's spiritual life.
Definition: Someone from the tribe of Levi living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.34; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Gershon (H1648), Kohath (H6955), Merari (H4847) and Jochebed (H3115) Another name of le.vi (לֵוִי "Levi" H3878) § Levite, of Levi "joined to" 1) the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah 1a) the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: Leviite. See also: Exodus 4:14; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Ezra 6:20.
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יֵשׁ֧וּעַ
Yêshûwaʻ
H3442
"Jeshua"
N-proper
Jeshua was a common name in the Bible, given to several men, including a leader who helped the Israelites return from exile. He is mentioned in the book of Ezra, where he is called a son of Jehozadak and a father of Joiakim.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; Another name of ye.ho.shu.a (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ "Joshua" H3091J) § Jeshua = "he is saved" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 3) a priest in the time of David who had charge of the 9th course 4) a Levite in the reign of Hezekiah 5) head of a Levitical house which returned from captivity in Babylon 6) father of a builder of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 7) a town in southern Judah reinhabited by the people of Judah after the return from captivity
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Jeshua. See also: 1 Chronicles 24:11; Nehemiah 7:11; Nehemiah 12:26.
וְ/קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל
Qadmîyʼêl
H6934
"Kadmiel"
Conj | N-proper
Kadmiel was a Levite who helped rebuild the temple after the Exile and led the people in confession. His name means God is the ancient one, and he was a descendant of Hodaviah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.40; father of: Jeshua (H3442N) § Kadmiel = "God is the ancient one" a Levite, descendant of Hodaviah, and head of a family of returning exiles; also oversaw the work on the temple and also was one of the leaders of the people who led the people in the public confession
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Kadmiel. See also: Ezra 2:40; Nehemiah 9:5; Nehemiah 12:24.
לִ/בְנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
הוֹדַוְיָ֖ה
Hôwdavyâh
H1938
"Hodaviah"
N-proper
Hodaviah means praise ye Jehovah, the name of three Israelites, including a man of Manasseh and a Levite. They lived during the Exile and Return period. Their name honors God.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.40; also called Hodevah at Neh.7.43; Judah at Ezr.3.9; § Hodaviah = "praise ye Jehovah" 1) a man of Manasseh, one of the heads of the half tribe on the east of Jordan 2) a man of Benjamin, son of Has-senuah 3) a Levite, who seems to have given his name to an important family in the tribe
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Hodaviah. See also: 1 Chronicles 3:24; 1 Chronicles 9:7; Ezra 2:40.
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
וְ/אַרְבָּעָֽה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Conj | Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
Study Notes — Ezra 2:40
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The List of Returning Exiles
38the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;
39and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
40The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah ), 74.
41The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128. 42The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 139 in all.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 3:9 | So Jeshua and his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Yehudah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together to supervise those working on the house of God. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 7:43 | The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah ), 74. |
Ezra 2:40 Summary
This verse talks about a group of Levites, who were special helpers in the temple, and how 74 of them returned from exile. It shows that God kept His promise to take care of His people, even when they were far away from home, just like He promised in Deuteronomy 30:3. The Levites had an important job, and we can learn from their example by serving God and others with faithfulness and love, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40. By looking at this verse, we can remember that God is always faithful to His people, and we can trust Him to take care of us too, just like He did for the Israelites in Ezra 1:5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Levites and what was their role in the Israelite community?
The Levites were a tribe of Israelites set apart by God to serve in the temple and assist the priests, as seen in Numbers 3:6 and Deuteronomy 10:8-9. In Ezra 2:40, we see a specific group of Levites, the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who returned from exile.
What is the significance of the number 74 in this verse?
The number 74 represents the total count of Levites from the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel who returned from exile, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people, as promised in Isaiah 1:9.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of the Israelites' return from exile?
Ezra 2:40 is part of a larger list of Israelites who returned from exile, highlighting God's fulfillment of His promise to restore His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:3 and Ezra 1:5.
What can we learn from the fact that the Levites are listed separately from other groups, such as the singers and gatekeepers?
The separate listing of the Levites emphasizes their unique role and importance in the Israelite community, as they were responsible for the spiritual well-being of the people, as seen in Leviticus 10:10-11 and Ezekiel 44:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for His people, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- In what ways can I, like the Levites, serve God and His people with faithfulness and dedication?
- How does the concept of a 'remnant' in this verse encourage me in my own walk with God, especially in times of uncertainty or hardship?
- What does the specific mention of the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel teach me about the importance of family and heritage in my spiritual journey?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 2:40
Ver. 40-42. The Levites,.... Singers and porters, who are reckoned in this, and the two following verses, whose numbers were no more than three hundred and forty one; whereas, in the times of David,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 2:40
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four. The children of Jeshua and Kadmiel. Jeshua had assigned him the presidency of the 9th course (1 Chronicles 24:11).
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 2:40
(40) The Levites: the children of Jeshua.—Then follow the Levitical families, not priests: that is, the Levites proper, the singers, the door-keepers or porters. Of the first there were only two families, and these are both traced up to one, that of Hodaviah or Judah (Ezra 3:9) or Hodevah (Nehemiah 7:43). The hereditary choristers are also few: of the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the first alone is represented. Nehemiah makes their number twenty more; but 1 Esdras agrees with the text of Ezra.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 2:40
40–42. The Levites are here arranged in the same way as in the 1st Book of Chronicles, i.e. into (1) Levites proper (cf. 1 Chronicles 24:20-31). (2) Singers (cf. 1 Chronicles 25). (3) Doorkeepers (cf. 1 Chronicles 26:1-19. See Introduction, § 7. The small number (i.e. 431 in all) of the Levites is very striking by the side of the 4289 priests. Upon the backwardness of the Levites to return to Jerusalem compare note on chap. Ezra 8:15, and see Introduction.