Ezra 2:40
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
Original Language Analysis
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֵשׁ֧וּעַ
of Jeshua
H3442
יֵשׁ֧וּעַ
of Jeshua
Strong's:
H3442
Word #:
3 of 8
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
Levites received no land inheritance, depending on tithes from the other tribes (Numbers 18:21-24). The exile's disruption of agricultural economy likely pushed Levites into trades, making return economically difficult. Their low response rate (74 vs. thousands expected) created severe staffing shortages, later necessitating recruiting efforts (Ezra 8:15-20). This scarcity made those who did return especially valuable.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the severe underrepresentation of Levites (74 vs. 4,289 priests) suggest about the cost of ministry roles that depend on others' generosity?
- How does the low Levite return rate challenge modern assumptions about who will staff restoration efforts—and why many qualified people decline?
- In what ways might God use a 'faithful remnant' within a remnant to accomplish His purposes more effectively than large numbers?
Analysis & Commentary
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel (הַלְוִיִּם בְּנֵי־יֵשׁוּעַ לְקַדְמִיאֵל)—The shift to haleviyim (the Levites) marks a dramatic statistical change: only 74 Levites returned versus 4,289 priests (vv. 36-39), a ratio of 1:58. This severe underrepresentation suggests most Levites (assistants to priests, musicians, gatekeepers) had assimilated into Babylonian society. The name Jeshua means 'Yahweh saves,' while Kadmiel means 'God is ancient/eternal'—together proclaiming salvation through the eternal God.
Levites' duties included teaching Torah (Deuteronomy 33:10), suggesting this low return rate meant a knowledge deficit in restored Judah. The mention of Hodaviah (meaning 'praise Yahweh') as their ancestor emphasizes the worship dimension of Levitical service. Later, Levites would lead national repentance (Nehemiah 9:4-5), their small numbers making their spiritual impact even more remarkable—quality over quantity in God's economy.