Ezra 6:20

For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them [were] pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

For the priests {H3548} and the Levites {H3881} were purified {H2891} together {H259}, all of them were pure {H2889}, and killed {H7819} the passover {H6453} for all the children {H1121} of the captivity {H1473}, and for their brethren {H251} the priests {H3548}, and for themselves.

For the cohanim and L'vi'im had purified themselves together; all of them were pure. So they slaughtered the Pesach lambs for all the people from the exile and for their kinsmen the cohanim and for themselves.

All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves.

For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

Commentary

Ezra 6:20 describes a pivotal moment in the spiritual restoration of the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. This verse is part of the account of the dedication of the newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, which was completed after years of perseverance and divine favor. Following the joyous dedication, the returned exiles prepared to celebrate the Passover, a foundational festival commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

Context

The book of Ezra chronicles the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and later the spiritual reforms led by Ezra himself. By the time of Ezra 6:20, the Second Temple has just been completed and dedicated (Ezra 6:15-16). The subsequent celebration of the Passover (Ezra 6:19-22) signifies a profound spiritual renewal and a recommitment to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the re-establishment of proper worship in the restored community. The meticulous purification of the priests and Levites underscores the sanctity of the occasion and their adherence to ancient Mosaic commands, as first detailed in Exodus 12:27.

Key Themes

  • Purity and Holiness: The verse explicitly states that "the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure." This highlights the paramount importance of ritual and spiritual cleanliness for those who serve God, especially in the context of sacred sacrifices and worship. Their purification was essential for them to properly mediate between God and the people.
  • Obedience to God's Law: Celebrating the Passover was a direct act of obedience to God's commands given through Moses. After generations in exile, this act demonstrated the returned exiles' unwavering commitment to restoring true worship and living according to God's covenant.
  • Corporate Worship and Atonement: The Passover was a communal event, and the priests and Levites performed the sacrifice not only for themselves but also "for all the children of the captivity" and "for their brethren the priests." This emphasizes the collective nature of worship and the shared need for atonement and remembrance of God's deliverance.
  • Restoration and Renewal: The celebration of Passover after the Temple's completion marked a significant spiritual rebirth for the nation. It was a tangible sign of God's faithfulness in restoring His people and their ability to worship Him properly in the land, reaffirming their identity as His chosen people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "purified together" comes from the Hebrew verb แนญฤhฤ“r (ื˜ึธื”ึตืจ), meaning "to be clean" or "to purify." This indicates a thorough ritual cleansing process, which was a strict requirement for priests and Levites before handling holy objects or participating in sacrificial rites, as detailed in various parts of the Law (e.g., Leviticus and Numbers). The act of "killed the passover" refers to the ritual slaughter of the Passover lamb (Hebrew: shฤแธฅaแนญ, ืฉึธืื—ึทื˜), a central and symbolic act of the festival that pointed to substitutionary atonement.

Practical Application

Ezra 6:20 offers profound lessons for believers today. The emphasis on the priests' and Levites' purity reminds us of the importance of spiritual purity and preparation in our approach to God. While we no longer participate in animal sacrifices, the principle of a clean heart and righteous living remains vital for engaging in worship and service. Moreover, the Passover itself prefigures Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate Passover Lamb, whose perfect sacrifice purifies us from all sin and enables us to draw near to God. The verse also underscores the value of corporate worship and the community's role in celebrating God's redemptive acts and faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 35:11

    And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled [the blood] from their hands, and the Levites flayed [them].

  • Hebrews 7:27

    Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:34

    But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the [other] priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites [were] more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

  • Exodus 12:21

    ยถ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:15

    Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:17

    For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one [that was] not clean, to sanctify [them] unto the LORD.
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