Ezra 2:59
And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
Original Language Analysis
הָֽעֹלִים֙
And these were they which went up
H5927
הָֽעֹלִים֙
And these were they which went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
2 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָֽכְל֗וּ
but they could
H3201
יָֽכְל֗וּ
but they could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
11 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לְהַגִּ֤יד
not shew
H5046
לְהַגִּ֤יד
not shew
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
בֵּית
house
H1004
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבוֹתָם֙
their father's
H1
אֲבוֹתָם֙
their father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
14 of 18
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְזַרְעָ֔ם
and their seed
H2233
וְזַרְעָ֔ם
and their seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
15 of 18
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אִ֥ם
H518
אִ֥ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
16 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What happens when your spiritual credentials are questioned and you cannot prove your lineage?
- How does adoption language in the New Testament resolve the genealogical crisis of uncertain spiritual heritage?
- In what ways do you rely on external proof of belonging rather than resting in God's declarative adoption?
Analysis & 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).