Ezra 6:19

KJV

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth [day] of the first month.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the children {H1121} of the captivity {H1473} kept {H6213} the passover {H6453} upon the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day of the first {H7223} month {H2320}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people from the exile kept Pesach on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Berean Standard Bible

On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles kept the Passover.

American Standard Version

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 6:19 marks a momentous occasion for the Jewish community recently returned from Babylonian exile: the celebration of the Passover. This act was not merely a ritual observance but a profound declaration of their restored covenant relationship with God, following the triumphant completion and dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It signified a return to foundational Mosaic commands, demonstrating their commitment to re-establishing proper worship and their identity as God's chosen people in the promised land, now free from foreign dominion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the joyful and solemn dedication of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, as detailed in [Ezra 6:16-18](/ezra/6-16 "Ezra 6:16-18 - Dedication of the Temple"). The narrative has progressed from the initial decree allowing return ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) and the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple amidst opposition ([Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")). The completion of the Temple, therefore, represents a major triumph and the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back. The celebration of Passover, the first major festival observed in the newly consecrated Temple, serves as a culminating act of worship and a powerful symbol of spiritual restoration and renewal, bringing the account of the Temple's completion to a fitting spiritual climax before the narrative shifts to Ezra's arrival.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For approximately 70 years, the Jewish people had endured exile in Babylon, a period during which their ability to observe central religious festivals, particularly those requiring Temple presence like Passover, was severely curtailed. The return to Judah, initiated by [Cyrus's decree in 538 BC](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1 - Cyrus's Decree"), was a long and challenging process. The "children of the captivity" were those who had experienced this displacement and now, by divine grace and Persian decree, were back in their homeland. The Passover, instituted at the Exodus from Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")), was the foundational celebration of Israel's deliverance and identity. Observing it precisely "upon the fourteenth day of the first month" in Jerusalem, with a functioning Temple, underscored their renewed freedom, their re-establishment as a nation under God, and their commitment to the covenant after generations of disruption.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 6:19 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezra and the broader post-exilic narrative. Firstly, **Obedience to God's Law** is paramount, as the precise observance of Passover on the appointed day demonstrates a diligent adherence to the Mosaic commandments, reflecting a renewed commitment to the Torah after the spiritual laxity that contributed to the exile. Secondly, **Restoration and Renewal** are vividly portrayed; the ability to celebrate this foundational feast in Jerusalem with a dedicated Temple symbolizes not just physical return but spiritual rebirth and the re-establishment of a right relationship with God. Thirdly, **Commemoration of Deliverance** takes on a dual significance: it recalls God's miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage, but for the returned exiles, it also served as a poignant remembrance of their recent deliverance from Babylonian captivity, highlighting God's ongoing faithfulness to His covenant people, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 43:1-7](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1-7 - God's Deliverance of Israel"). Finally, the phrase "the children of the captivity kept the passover" emphasizes **Unity and Community**, reinforcing their identity as a unified people dedicated to the Lord, rebuilding not just a Temple but a society centered on God's commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Children of the captivity (Hebrew, _bĕnê haggôlâ'_):** This phrase specifically identifies the community as those who had been exiled and subsequently returned. It emphasizes their unique historical experience, marked by divine judgment (exile) and divine grace (return). It distinguishes them from those who had remained in the land or later generations, highlighting their direct connection to the covenant promises of restoration. This designation underscores their identity as a remnant, preserved and brought back by God's faithfulness to continue the covenant line.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _pesaḥ'_):** Derived from the verb meaning "to pass over," this term refers to the annual festival commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, specifically His "passing over" the houses of the Israelites when He struck the firstborn of Egypt ([Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Sign of the Blood")). In Ezra 6:19, its observance signifies a profound act of remembrance, worship, and covenant renewal. For the returned exiles, it carried a double meaning, celebrating both the ancient deliverance from Egypt and their recent liberation from Babylonian captivity, reinforcing the theme of God as their Redeemer across generations.
* **Kept (Hebrew, _'āśâ'_):** This verb means "to do," "to make," or "to observe." In this context, it denotes the active, diligent, and complete performance of the Passover ritual according to the precise Mosaic instructions. It implies not just a passive acknowledgment but a full, intentional, and communal act of obedience and worship. The choice of this verb emphasizes the deliberate and faithful adherence to God's commands, contrasting with the disobedience that led to the exile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the children of the captivity":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the participants: the specific group of Jews who had endured the Babylonian exile and were now, by God's grace and providential decree, back in their homeland. Their identity is defined by their past suffering and their present restoration, marking them as a people uniquely positioned to appreciate the significance of this moment.
* **"kept the passover":** This clause describes the central action. "Keeping" the Passover signifies their faithful observance of one of Israel's most ancient and foundational covenant festivals. It represents a re-establishment of proper worship, a commitment to Mosaic law, and a profound act of remembering God's past deliverance and anticipating His future faithfulness. It is a communal act, reinforcing their corporate identity.
* **"upon the fourteenth [day] of the first month":** This precise temporal detail underscores the meticulous adherence to the divine command given in [Exodus 12:6](/exodus/12-6 "Exodus 12:6 - Passover Instructions"). It highlights their diligence in following God's prescribed timing, demonstrating their earnest desire to honor God's law after the decades of interruption caused by the exile. This precision speaks to their renewed spiritual discipline and commitment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 6:19 employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Symbolism** is central, as the Passover itself is a powerful symbol of deliverance, redemption, and covenant relationship. For the returned exiles, this particular Passover carries layers of symbolic meaning: it commemorates the original Exodus from Egypt, but it also symbolizes their recent "exodus" from Babylon and their spiritual rebirth. The act of "keeping" the Passover in a newly dedicated Temple underscores the **Restoration Narrative**, presenting this event as a climactic moment in Israel's journey back to God and their land. The specificity of "the fourteenth day of the first month" serves as a form of **Verisimilitude**, lending authenticity and historical precision to the account, while also emphasizing the community's **Obedience** to the detailed requirements of the Mosaic Law. Furthermore, the focus on "the children of the captivity" highlights the **Collective Identity** of the people, emphasizing their unity in worship and their shared experience of suffering and restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 6:19 is a deeply theological verse, showcasing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite His people's past disobedience. The celebration of Passover, an event rooted in God's miraculous deliverance, underscores the theme of divine redemption that spans generations. It demonstrates that even after severe judgment (the exile), God remains committed to restoring His people when they turn back to Him in obedience. This act of corporate worship in the newly dedicated Temple signifies the re-establishment of the proper relationship between God and His people, where His dwelling place is among them, and they are committed to His commands. It serves as a powerful reminder that true restoration involves not just physical return but spiritual renewal, marked by a renewed commitment to God's Word and communal worship.

* [Exodus 12:1-14](/exodus/12-1 "Institution of the Passover")
* [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Passover Instructions for Israel")
* [Nehemiah 8:17-18](/nehemiah/8-17 "Celebration of the Feast of Booths")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Ezra 6:19 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as the returned exiles diligently observed the Passover, we are called to faithful obedience to God's commands, not out of legalism, but out of gratitude for His deliverance and a desire to live in right relationship with Him. This verse reminds us of the critical importance of remembering God's past faithfulness in our own lives, whether it's deliverance from sin, hardship, or despair. Like the "children of the captivity," we too have been delivered—ultimately, from the bondage of sin—and our lives should reflect this profound liberation through intentional worship and obedience. The communal nature of this celebration also underscores the value of corporate worship, reminding us that our faith is often strengthened and expressed most fully when we gather together as the body of Christ, celebrating His mighty acts and encouraging one another in our shared journey. This passage challenges us to consider what "Passover" means in our lives today—what acts of remembrance and obedience mark our gratitude for God's ongoing work of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "exiles" or periods of spiritual wandering has God brought you through, and how do you commemorate His deliverance?**
* **In what ways can your personal and communal worship more fully reflect a diligent and joyful obedience to God's commands?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness (both in biblical history and your own life) strengthen your trust in Him for the future?**

### FAQ

**Why was this Passover celebration particularly significant for the returned exiles?**

Answer: This Passover was profoundly significant because it was the first time in approximately 70 years that the Jewish people could celebrate the festival in Jerusalem with a functioning and dedicated Temple. During the Babylonian exile, they were unable to observe many of the Mosaic commands that required the Temple's presence. Therefore, this celebration marked not only a return to their land but, more importantly, a spiritual and national restoration. It symbolized their renewed covenant relationship with God, their freedom from foreign dominion, and their commitment to re-establish proper worship according to the Law, as outlined in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover"). It was a tangible sign that God had fulfilled His promises of return and renewal.

**Who were "the children of the captivity"?**

Answer: "The children of the captivity" (Hebrew: _bene haggolah_) refers specifically to the Jewish people who had been taken into exile in Babylon and, under the decrees of Persian kings like Cyrus ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) and Darius ([Ezra 6:1-12](/ezra/6-1 "Ezra 6:1-12 - Darius's Decree")), were allowed to return to Judah. This designation highlights their unique historical experience of displacement and subsequent divine restoration. It distinguishes them from those who had remained in the land or from later generations, emphasizing their direct connection to the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the end of the exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its Temple.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Passover celebration in Ezra 6:19, marking a new era of covenant faithfulness after exile, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Passover, with its slain lamb and deliverance from bondage, was a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb protected Israel from death, Christ's shed blood on the cross provides eternal deliverance from the bondage of sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). The celebration in Ezra represents a physical and spiritual restoration for Israel, but Christ inaugurates a new covenant, a spiritual restoration for all humanity, where believers are freed from the ultimate "exile" of sin and alienation from God ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed, is the Christian "Passover," commemorating His sacrificial death and anticipating His return, inviting believers to participate in the new covenant established by His blood ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). Thus, the joy and obedience of Ezra 6:19 point forward to the even greater joy and freedom found in Christ, our true and eternal Passover.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:6

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Exodus 12:36

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them [such things as they required]. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

2 Chronicles 30:1

¶ And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 30:27

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven.

Joshua 5:10

¶ And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.