Ezra 2:37
the descendants of Immer, 1,052;
the descendants of Immer
The phrase "the descendants of Immer" refers to a specific priestly family within the tribe of Levi. The name "Immer" is derived from the Hebrew root "אמר" (pronounced 'Immer'), which means "he has said" or "he has spoken." This name may reflect a divine calling or proclamation, emphasizing the family's role in communicating God's will through priestly duties. Historically, the family of Immer was one of the 24 priestly divisions established by King David (1 Chronicles 24:14). This division of labor ensured that the temple services were conducted in an orderly manner, with each family serving at the temple at appointed times. The mention of Immer in Ezra highlights the continuity of priestly service from the time of the First Temple to the rebuilding efforts after the Babylonian exile. It underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual leadership and religious practices as the Israelites sought to restore their community and worship.

1,052
The specific number "1,052" indicates the count of male members from the family of Immer who returned from the Babylonian exile. This precise enumeration reflects the meticulous record-keeping and organizational efforts of the returning exiles. In the broader context of the Book of Ezra, these numbers serve to document the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land. The return of such a significant number of priests from the family of Immer signifies the re-establishment of the temple's sacrificial system and the reinstitution of proper worship practices. It also highlights the faithfulness of God in preserving a remnant of His people, ensuring that the priestly line and temple services could continue. This restoration was crucial for the spiritual renewal of the nation, as the temple was the center of religious life and a symbol of God's presence among His people. The detailed record of returning families, including the descendants of Immer, serves as a testament to God's providence and the resilience of the Jewish faith community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezra
A scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon. He played a crucial role in the spiritual and religious restoration of the Jewish people.

2. Descendants of Immer
A priestly family returning from Babylonian exile. The mention of their number, 1,052, highlights their significance in the restoration of temple worship.

3. Babylonian Exile
A period when the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. The return from exile marks a significant event in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and renewal.

4. Jerusalem
The city to which the exiles returned. It was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the temple, which was to be rebuilt.

5. Temple Worship
The primary focus of the returning exiles was to restore the temple and its services, which were central to Jewish religious life.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Service
The descendants of Immer were part of the priestly line, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness in serving God. We are called to be faithful in our own roles within the body of Christ.

Restoration and Renewal
Just as the exiles returned to restore the temple, we are called to seek spiritual renewal in our lives and communities, focusing on worship and obedience to God.

Importance of Community
The collective return of the exiles, including the descendants of Immer, underscores the importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes. We should value and support our spiritual communities.

God's Sovereignty in History
The return from exile demonstrates God's control over history and His faithfulness to His promises. We can trust God to fulfill His promises in our lives.

Role of Leadership
The priests, including the descendants of Immer, played a crucial role in leading the people in worship. Effective spiritual leadership is vital for guiding others in faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the faithfulness of the descendants of Immer in fulfilling their priestly duties, and how can we apply this to our own service to God?

2. How does the return from Babylonian exile illustrate God's faithfulness to His promises, and how can this encourage us in times of waiting or difficulty?

3. In what ways can we contribute to the spiritual restoration and renewal of our communities, similar to the role of the returning exiles?

4. How does the concept of community in the return from exile challenge us to engage more deeply with our own spiritual communities?

5. What qualities should we look for in spiritual leaders, and how can we support them in their roles, as seen in the leadership of the priests during the restoration of temple worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 24:14
This passage lists the divisions of the priests, including the family of Immer, showing their established role in temple service.

Nehemiah 7:40
This verse parallels Ezra 2:37, confirming the number of the descendants of Immer and emphasizing the importance of accurate records in the restoration process.

Exodus 28:1
This passage describes the establishment of the priesthood, which the descendants of Immer were part of, highlighting their sacred duty.
Spiritual SignificancesW. Clarkson Ezra 2:1-67
Men Forsaking the Worldly LifeJ.S. Exell Ezra 2:1-70
A Suggestive RecordWilliam Jones.Ezra 2:2-64
Religious ServiceWilliam 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
1, 52, Fifty-two, Immer, Imner, Sons, Thousand
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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