Ezra 2:53
the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,
the descendants of Barkos
The phrase "the descendants of Barkos" refers to a specific group of people who returned from the Babylonian exile. The name "Barkos" is of uncertain origin, but it is believed to be a personal or family name. In the context of the return from exile, these descendants were likely part of the Nethinim, a group of temple servants. The Nethinim were assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the temple, highlighting the importance of community and service in worship. This phrase reminds us of the continuity of God's people and the importance of each family and individual in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

the descendants of Sisera
The mention of "the descendants of Sisera" is intriguing, as Sisera is a name associated with a Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak in Judges 4. However, this Sisera is likely a different individual, possibly a servant or a family that adopted the name. The inclusion of this group among the returnees emphasizes the diversity and inclusivity of God's people. It serves as a reminder that God's grace extends beyond past enmities and that He can redeem and repurpose any lineage for His glory.

the descendants of Temah
"Temah" is another name that appears in the list of returnees. Like Barkos and Sisera, Temah is likely a family or clan name. The descendants of Temah, as part of the Nethinim, played a crucial role in the restoration of temple worship. This highlights the theme of restoration and renewal that runs throughout the book of Ezra. The return from exile was not just a physical return to the land but a spiritual renewal and recommitment to the worship of Yahweh. The mention of these descendants underscores the collective effort required to rebuild and restore the community of faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Barkos
A name listed among the temple servants who returned from the Babylonian exile. The descendants of Barkos were part of a group dedicated to assisting the Levites in temple duties.

2. Sisera
Another name among the temple servants. This should not be confused with the Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak in Judges. The descendants of Sisera here are likely a different lineage, serving in the temple.

3. Temah
Also listed among the temple servants. The descendants of Temah were part of the group that returned to Jerusalem to help reestablish worship practices.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Service
The descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah remind us of the vital role of service in the community of faith. Every role, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the greater purpose of worship and community life.

Faithfulness Across Generations
These families maintained their dedication to temple service across generations, illustrating the importance of passing down faith and commitment to future generations.

Inclusion in God's Plan
The temple servants, possibly including non-Israelites, show that God's plan includes a diverse group of people working together for His glory. This encourages us to embrace diversity within the church.

Restoration and Renewal
The return of these families to Jerusalem symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restoration of worship. It challenges us to consider how we can contribute to the renewal of our own communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the dedication of the temple servants like the descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah about serving in our local church communities?

2. How does the inclusion of these families in the list of returnees reflect God's heart for diversity and inclusion within His people?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our faith and commitment to service are passed down to future generations?

4. How does the role of temple servants in the Old Testament compare to the roles of service within the church today?

5. Reflect on a time when you contributed to the restoration or renewal of a community or church. What lessons did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply them now?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 7:55-57
This passage parallels Ezra 2, listing the same groups of temple servants, emphasizing the continuity and importance of these families in the restoration of Jerusalem's religious life.

1 Chronicles 9:2
Chronicles the return of the first exiles and highlights the roles of temple servants, showing the importance of their service in the community.

Exodus 12:48-49
Discusses the inclusion of foreigners in the community of Israel, which can relate to the temple servants who may have been non-Israelites but were integrated into the worship life of Israel.
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
Barkos, Sisera, Sis'era, Sons, Temah, Thamah
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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