Ezra 2:39
and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
the descendants of
This phrase indicates a genealogical record, which is a common feature in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "descendants" is "בְּנֵי" (benei), meaning "sons of" or "children of." This highlights the importance of lineage and heritage in Jewish culture, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant with His people. The genealogies serve as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen people through generations.

Immer
Immer is one of the priestly families that returned from the Babylonian exile. The name "Immer" is derived from the Hebrew root "אָמַר" (amar), meaning "to speak" or "to say." This could symbolize the role of the priests as those who speak on behalf of God, conveying His laws and decrees to the people. Historically, the family of Immer is mentioned in other parts of the Bible, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:14, where they are listed among the divisions of the priests. This highlights the continuity and restoration of the priestly service in the post-exilic community.

1,052
The specific number of 1,052 descendants of Immer who returned is significant. Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic meaning, and while this number may not have a specific symbolic interpretation, it underscores the precision and care with which the records were kept. It reflects the organized and deliberate effort to restore the community and the temple service in Jerusalem. The detailed record-keeping also serves as a reminder of God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises to bring His people back to their land. This meticulous documentation is a testament to the faithfulness of the returning exiles in re-establishing their identity and religious practices according to God's commandments.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Harim
Harim is one of the priestly families returning from the Babylonian exile. The name "Harim" means "dedicated" or "consecrated," indicating their role in temple service.

2. Babylonian Exile
This was a period when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. The return from exile marks a significant event in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and renewal.

3. Return to Jerusalem
The return to Jerusalem is a pivotal event where the Israelites, including the descendants of Harim, come back to rebuild the temple and restore worship.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Service
The descendants of Harim remind us of the importance of faithfulness in our roles, whether in ministry or daily life. Just as they returned to serve in the temple, we are called to serve God faithfully in our contexts.

Restoration and Renewal
The return from exile symbolizes God's power to restore and renew. No matter how far we may feel from God, He is always ready to bring us back and restore us.

Community and Identity
The listing of families emphasizes the importance of community and identity in God's plan. We are part of a larger body of believers, and our identity in Christ is crucial.

Obedience to God's Word
The challenges faced by the returning exiles, such as intermarriage, highlight the need for obedience to God's Word. We must strive to align our lives with biblical principles.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the role of the descendants of Harim teach us about the importance of faithfulness in our own service to God?

2. How does the return from exile in Ezra 2:39 reflect God's ability to restore and renew our lives today?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our identity in Christ remains strong, similar to how the returning exiles maintained their community identity?

4. How can we apply the lessons of obedience from the challenges faced by the returning exiles to our own lives?

5. What other biblical examples of restoration and renewal can we draw parallels with in our personal spiritual journeys?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7:42
This verse also lists the descendants of Harim, showing consistency in the records of those who returned from exile.

1 Chronicles 24:8
Harim is mentioned as one of the priestly divisions established by King David, highlighting the long-standing role of this family in temple service.

Ezra 10:21
Harim is mentioned in the context of those who had taken foreign wives, showing the challenges faced by the returning exiles in maintaining their covenant identity.
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, 17, Seventeen, 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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