King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:63 Mean?

Ezra 2:63 in the King James Version says “And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Ur...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. Tirshatha: or, governor”

Ezra 2:63 · KJV

Context

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:

62

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. were they: Heb. they were polluted from the priesthood

63

And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim. Tirshatha: or, governor

64

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

65

Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim—The Tirshatha (תִּרְשָׁתָא, Persian title meaning "governor," likely Zerubbabel or Sheshbazzar) prohibited these questionable priests from eating the qodesh ha-qodashim (most holy things)—portions reserved for Aaronide priests (Leviticus 2:3,10; 6:16-18).

The restriction awaited priestly consultation via Urim v'Tummim (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים)—mysterious objects used for divine guidance, meaning "lights and perfections." Tragically, they were lost in exile and never recovered—no subsequent biblical text records their use. This leaves the priests in perpetual limbo, illustrating that the old covenant's mechanisms of certainty had failed. Christ becomes our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), giving direct access without Urim and Thummim.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Urim and Thummim were objects kept in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:30), used for yes/no divine guidance. Their exact nature remains debated (stones? lots?). After the exile, they disappear from biblical record—Josephus confirms they ceased functioning in the Second Temple period. This marks the transition from mechanical revelation to prophetic and ultimately Spirit-filled guidance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the permanent loss of Urim and Thummim point forward to Christ as our final and complete revelation?
  2. What happens when old covenant mechanisms of certainty fail and only faith in God's promises remains?
  3. In what ways do you seek mechanical certainty (modern "Urim and Thummim") rather than trusting the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 13

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙2 of 13

“And the Tirshatha”

H8660

tirshatha, the title of a persian deputy or governor

לָהֶ֔ם3 of 13
H0
אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא5 of 13
H3808

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

יֹאכְל֖וּ6 of 13

“unto them that they should not eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים7 of 13

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים8 of 13

“holy things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

עַ֛ד9 of 13
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֲמֹ֥ד10 of 13

“till there stood up”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

כֹּהֵ֖ן11 of 13

“a priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לְאוּרִ֥ים12 of 13

“with Urim”

H224

urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate

וּלְתֻמִּֽים׃13 of 13

“and with Thummim”

H8550

perfections, i.e., (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth

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 2:63 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 2:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 2:3Numbers 27:21Leviticus 2:10Exodus 28:30Leviticus 22:10Nehemiah 8:9

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