Bible Strands
Ezra 10:23
Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ezra records a census of men who had taken foreign wives and subsequently divorced them to fulfill the covenant. The list follows a structured breakdown by tribal and priestly divisions, placing these Levites immediately after the descendants of Pashhur and before the singers and gatekeepers.
The words — The text identifies the group as הַלְוִיִּם (ha-ləwîṯîm), meaning "the Levites," and notes the variant הוּא קְלִיטָא (huʾ qəlîṭāʾ), translating to "that is, Kelita," to clarify a personal name.
The thread — These names and titles reappear in post-exilic administrative records that track temple service and covenant accountability. Similar lists appear in Ezra 8:33, Nehemiah 10:10, and Nehemiah 11:16.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that Levite leadership was formally documented alongside priests and gatekeepers during the covenant renewal. It requires the reader to treat the record as an authoritative inventory of those bound by the reform decree.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
Cross-references
- Ezra 8:33 On the fourth day, in the house of our God, we weighed out the silver and gold and sacred articles into the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah, the priest. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him, along with the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui.
- Nehemiah 10:10 and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
- Nehemiah 11:16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, two leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God;