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Ezra 8:19

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And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;

And Hashabiah {H2811}, and with him Jeshaiah {H3470} of the sons {H1121} of Merari {H4847}, his brethren {H251} and their sons {H1121}, twenty {H6242};

Hashavyah, with Yesha'yah, from the descendants of M'rari, and twenty of his kinsmen and their sons;

also Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men.

and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;

Commentary

Ezra 8:19 records a specific detail from Ezra's meticulous preparations for the second return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. This verse names two key individuals, Hashabiah and Jeshaiah, along with their kinsmen, who were descendants of Merari and numbered twenty strong, joining the group returning to the Holy Land.

Context of Ezra 8:19

This verse is part of Ezra's detailed account of those who joined him on the perilous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. After gathering the people by the river Ahava, Ezra realized a significant problem: there were no Levites among the initial company (Ezra 8:15). The Levites were crucial for the proper functioning of the temple and its services. Ezra, therefore, sent leaders to Iddo at Casiphia to recruit more Levites and Nethinims. Verses 18-20 list the success of this mission, detailing the specific families and numbers who responded, including these twenty Merarite Levites.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision: Despite the initial shortage, God moved hearts to provide the necessary personnel for the sacred work in Jerusalem. The inclusion of the Levites, specifically the descendants of Merari, was a direct answer to Ezra's concern.
  • Meticulous Leadership: Ezra's careful planning and attention to detail ensured that all necessary roles were filled for the restoration of Jerusalem and its temple worship. He understood the importance of proper Levitical service for maintaining the spiritual integrity of the community.
  • Faithful Remnant: The individuals named, like Hashabiah and Jeshaiah, represent those who chose to leave the relative comfort of exile to return to their ancestral land and dedicate themselves to God's service, even when it meant facing hardship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sons of Merari" refers to one of the three main branches of the Levites, descended from Merari, one of Levi's sons (along with Gershon and Kohath). In the wilderness, the Merarites were responsible for carrying the heavy framework of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:31). After the exile, their role continued to be vital in the temple service, often involving treasury work, gatekeeping, or other administrative and musical duties as organized by King David (1 Chronicles 23:6).

Practical Application

Ezra 8:19 reminds us that God uses various people with diverse gifts to accomplish His purposes. Just as Ezra needed the Merarites for the temple's restoration, God calls individuals today to contribute their specific skills and dedication to His work. Every role, no matter how seemingly small, is vital in the body of Christ. The verse also underscores the importance of intentional preparation and seeking God's provision in every endeavor, trusting that He will supply all needs for His glory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 6:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:16 (3 votes)

    The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:19 (2 votes)

    The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these [are] the families of the Levites according to their fathers.

  • Nehemiah 10:11 (2 votes)

    Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,

  • Nehemiah 3:17 (2 votes)

    After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.