Ezra 2:59 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Some returnees could not prove their Israelite ancestry from the records.
What Does Ezra 2:59 Mean?
The register turns to a group that returned from several Babylonian settlements but could not produce the genealogical records proving their descent from Israel. Their longing to belong was clear; the documentation was not.
Their inclusion in the account is striking. They came up with everyone else, drawn by the same hope, yet their place among the people could not be established. The text neither condemns nor dismisses them but holds their situation honestly — a tender picture of those who yearn to belong to God's people and await the day their standing is made sure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 2:59
What does Ezra 2:59 mean?
Some returnees could not prove their Israelite ancestry from the records.