King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:59 Mean?

Ezra 2:59 in the King James Version says “And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their fathe...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: Addan: or, Addon seed: or, pedigree”

Ezra 2:59 · KJV

Context

57

The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami. Ami: or, Amon

58

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two.

59

And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: Addan: or, Addon seed: or, pedigree

60

The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.

61

And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel (וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לְהַגִּיד בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָם וְזַרְעָם אִם מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל הֵם)—These returnees from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer lacked genealogical records (sefer hayachas) proving Israelite descent. The verb nagad (to declare, make known) in the causative suggests they sought diligently to establish lineage but could not produce documentary evidence.

This represents every believer's crisis: can we prove we belong to God's people? The exile destroyed records; assimilation blurred identity. Yet the Tirshatha's provisional acceptance (verse 63) offers hope: our ultimate genealogy is not biological but spiritual—adoption as "children of God" through faith (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:14-17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The five Babylonian locations (Tel-melah = "hill of salt," Tel-harsa = "hill of craftsmen," etc.) were Jewish settlements in exile. Seventy years in Babylon (605-536 BC) resulted in lost records, intermarriage, and uncertain lineage. Jewish identity depended on genealogical proof; without it, these families faced social and religious marginalization despite their evident desire to return and worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What happens when your spiritual credentials are questioned and you cannot prove your lineage?
  2. How does adoption language in the New Testament resolve the genealogical crisis of uncertain spiritual heritage?
  3. In what ways do you rely on external proof of belonging rather than resting in God's declarative adoption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּה1 of 18
H428

these or those

הָֽעֹלִים֙2 of 18

“And these were they which went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִתֵּ֥ל3 of 18
H0
מֶ֙לַח֙4 of 18

“from Telmelah”

H8528

tel-melach, a place in babylonia

תֵּ֣ל5 of 18
H0
חַרְשָׁ֔א6 of 18

“Telharsa”

H8521

tel-charsha, a place in babylonia

כְּר֥וּב7 of 18

“Cherub”

H3743

kerub, a place in babylon

אַדָּ֖ן8 of 18

“Addan”

H135

addan, an israelite

אִמֵּ֑ר9 of 18

“and Immer”

H564

immer, the name of five israelites

וְלֹ֣א10 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽכְל֗וּ11 of 18

“but they could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהַגִּ֤יד12 of 18

“not shew”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

בֵּית13 of 18

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבוֹתָם֙14 of 18

“their father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְזַרְעָ֔ם15 of 18

“and their seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אִ֥ם16 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל17 of 18

“whether they were of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הֵֽם׃18 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 2:59 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 2:59 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 7:61

Places in This Verse

AddonSettlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E2 verses across 2 books
CherubSettlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E2 verses across 2 books
ImmerSettlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E2 verses across 2 books
Tel-harshaSettlement · Modern: Nippur · 32.13°N, 45.23°E2 verses across 2 books
Tel-melahSettlement · Modern: Nippur · 32.13°N, 45.23°E2 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezra 2 →

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