The returning exiles, like most other groups of folks embarking on a new life, brought along with them gifts of blessing (Ezra 1:4) and glaring problems. What should they do with the priests whose genealogies might be polluted, because they couldn’t prove their origins (Ezra 2:62)? Such things must be addressed by men of authority, if order is to be preserved in that society. So, the decision was made by the Tirshatha, vis-à-vis Zerubbabel, the governor of the Province of Judah. Tirshatha may be an old Persian title, and it referred to the king’s minister or the man having the king’s authority in the place he is sent. Nehemiah, once he was sent to the Province of Judah, was the Tirshatha (Nehemiah 8:9, 10:1). Zerubbabel, the Tirshatha of the first group of returning exiles, made a proclamation, stating that the priests who couldn’t prove their origins should not eat of the most holy things of the Temple (Ezra 2:63) until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim.
However, what does the text mean, by Urim and Thummim? It refers to the high priest’s breastplate, and it was used to make judgments according to the will of God (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21-23). It was used by kings to inquire of the Lord about what they should do (cp. 1Samuel 28:6). The Lord may answer by Urim and Thummim (cp. 1Samuel 22:9-10; 23:2, 4), or the Lord may refuse to reply (1Samuel 28:6). The mode of consultation isn’t revealed in the text, however, if definition is any help, Urim means “lights” (H224). Thus, the high priest was enabled in some manner to read the stones (lights) on the breastplate and advise the king with an affirmative or negative response from the Lord.
Some suppose that lots were cast to decide upon the will of God, but if this is so, how could one determine that the Lord refused to reply to the inquiry (cp. 1Samuel 28:6)? Casting lots without authoritative permission to do so, could force a response from the Lord—negative or positive—when the Lord rejected the request itself and refused to reply at all—negative or positive. The Urim and Thummim was used in determining the will of God, but it is probably safe to say the “casting of lots” was not the mode of consultation. Lights, which the high priest was able to interpret, is a guess, but the idea does agree with the meaning of the word, and the use as such wouldn’t ‘force’ a response from the Lord as the ‘casting of lots’ would do. So, Zerubbabel indicated the need of a priest who was enabled with Urim and Thummim to determine what to do with the priests who couldn’t prove their origins. His decision also implied that Joshua, the priest, was not such a priest who was so enabled by the Lord.
So, the whole congregation of the returning exiles numbered 42,360, excluding their servants (7,337) who were probably gentiles (Ezra 2:64-65). The author of the Book of Ezra also included the number of beasts used by the exiles to serve their labors (Ezra 2:66-67). Finally, some of the leaders of the congregation, contributed out of their wealth, and according to their ability, gold, silver and clothing for the building and the service of the Temple of God at Jerusalem. Having done this, the priests and Levites, and those who served at the Temple of God, and all the rest of Israel turned and dwelt in the cities, which were allotted them (Ezra 2:68-70).
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