Discovery BoxEzra 1:6 
Context1:6 All their neighbors assisted 1 them with silver utensils, 2 gold, equipment, animals, and expensive gifts, not to mention 3 all the voluntary offerings.
Ezra 2:62-63
Context2:62 They 4 searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but did not find them. 5 They were therefore excluded 6 from the priesthood. 2:63 The governor 7 instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult 8 the Urim and Thummim.
Ezra 4:21
Context4:21 Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct. 9
1 tn Heb “strengthened their hands.”
2 tc The MT reads בִּכְלֵי־כֶסֶף (bikhley khesef, “with silver vessels”). However, part of the LXX manuscript tradition reads ἐν πᾶσιν ἀργυρίῳ (en pasin arguriw), which reflects an alternate Hebrew reading of בַּכֹּל־בַּכֶּסֶף (bakkol-bakkesef, “everywhere, with silver”). The textual variant involves (1) simple omission of yod (י) between two words, a common scribal mistake; (2) haplography of the preposition bet (בּ); and (3) an alternate vocalization tradition of the first term.
3 tn Heb “besides” or “in addition to.”
4 tn Heb “these.”
5 tn Heb “their records were searched for in the genealogical materials, but were not found.” This passive construction has been translated as active for stylistic reasons.
6 tn Heb “they were desecrated.”
7 tn The Hebrew word תִּרְשָׁתָא (tirshata’) is an official title of the Persian governor in Judea, perhaps similar in meaning to “excellency” (BDB 1077 s.v.; HALOT 1798 s.v.; W. L. Holladay, Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon, 395).
8 tn Heb “to stand.”
9 tn Aram “until a command is issued from me.”
