The Meaning of Ezra 2:62 Explained

Ezra 2:62

KJV: 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.

YLT: these have sought their register among those reckoning themselves by genealogy, and they have not been found, and they are redeemed from the priesthood,

Darby: These sought their genealogical register, but they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, removed from the priesthood.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Ezra 2:62 Mean?

Context Summary

Ezra 2:61-70 - The Building Of The Altar
Throughout their history the true Israelites were eager to maintain their genealogy; wherever they were scattered, they carefully guarded their national registers. Each of us should be able to establish his descent and to vindicate his claim to be considered a child of God, a joint-heir with Christ, a partaker in the inheritance which God has promised to them that love Him. If you cannot establish your sonship, you may doubt your right to the spiritual blessings which are a part of the family estates. This is clearly illustrated by the prohibition issued against the eating of the most holy things by the priests whose names were not found in the register. They must wait till the Urim and Thummin attested that they were Israelites indeed. What that witness was in these olden days, the testimony of the Holy Spirit is within us. He witnesses with our spirit that we are born of God.
The first act of the restored Jews was to set up the House of God. For this they gave willingly, and after their ability. The altar was the center of their religion. So the Cross of Jesus is the center of our life and worship, reminding us of His work for us in justification, or His claims in sanctification. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ezra 2

1  The number that return of the people
36  of the priests
40  of the Levites
43  of the Nethinims
55  of Solomon's servants
61  of the priests who could not show their pedigree
64  The whole number of them, with their substance
68  Their offerings

What do the individual words in Ezra 2:62 mean?

These sought their listing [among] those who were registered by genealogy but not they were found therefore they [were excluded] as defiled from the priesthood
אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛ם הַמִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים וְלֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑אוּ וַֽיְגֹאֲל֖וּ מִן־ הַכְּהֻנָּֽה

אֵ֗לֶּה  These 
Parse: Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
בִּקְשׁ֧וּ  sought 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: בָּקַשׁ  
Sense: to seek, require, desire, exact, request.
כְתָבָ֛ם  their  listing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: כְּתָב  
Sense: a writing, document, edict.
הַמִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים  [among]  those  who  were  registered  by  genealogy 
Parse: Article, Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine plural
Root: יָחַשׂ  
Sense: (Hithpael) to reckon genealogically, enrol on a genealogy, enrol, be enrolled.
וְלֹ֣א  but  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
נִמְצָ֑אוּ  they  were  found 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
וַֽיְגֹאֲל֖וּ  therefore  they  [were  excluded]  as  defiled 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Pual, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: גָּאַל  
Sense: to defile, pollute, desecrate.
הַכְּהֻנָּֽה  the  priesthood 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: כְּהֻנָּה  
Sense: priesthood.