Ezra 8 — The returning company and the guarded offerings — Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 8:17, 8:26
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Ezra 8 — The returning company and the guarded offerings
8:1–14 — The ancestral heads who accompanied Ezra
Verse 8:1 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:1 These are the heads of their ancestral houses and their genealogical registrations who came up with me from Babylon in the reign of Artaxerxes the king:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:1 These are the leaders of their families, the guides who came up with me in the reign of Arthasastha king of Babylon:
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H describes registrations and departure from Babylon; G describes guides and makes Babylon part of the king's title.
Verse 8:2 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:2 from the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; from the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; from the sons of David, Hattush;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:2 from the sons of Phinees, Gersom; from the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; from the sons of David, Atous;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Three ancestral groups and their leaders correspond, with the transmitted name forms retained.
Verse 8:3 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:3 from the sons of Shecaniah; from the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him one hundred and fifty males registered by genealogy;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:3 from the sons of Sachania; from the sons of Phoros, Zacharias, and with him the company of one hundred and fifty;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both leave the Shecaniah/Sachania phrase adjoining the previous and following entries. H explicitly counts registered males; G describes a company without the sex term here. No new named leader is invented.
Verse 8:4 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:4 from the sons of Pahath-moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:4 from the sons of Phaathmoab, Eliana son of Zaraia, and with him two hundred males;
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The count agrees; H's Eliehoenai corresponds to G's distinct Eliana form.
Verse 8:5 Divergent
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:5 from the sons of Shecaniah, the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:5 from the sons of Zathoes, Sechenias son of Aziel, and with him three hundred males;
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: G explicitly names the Zathoes ancestral group and Sechenias as the leader. H has sons of Shecaniah followed by son of Jahaziel, leaving the individual name unexpressed. No missing H name is supplied.
Verse 8:6 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:6 from the sons of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:6 from the sons of Adin, Obeth son of Ionathan, and with him fifty males;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The group and count correspond; the leader's source forms remain Ebed/Obeth.
Verse 8:7 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:7 from the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:7 from the sons of Elam, Iesia son of Athelia, and with him seventy males;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Corresponding family, leader and count are preserved.
Verse 8:8 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:8 from the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him eighty males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:8 from the sons of Saphatia, Zabdia son of Michael, and with him eighty males;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The corresponding family and count agree.
Verse 8:9 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:9 from the sons of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:9 from the sons of Ioab, Abadia son of Iiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both give the same count and corresponding leader and lineage.
Verse 8:10 Divergent
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:10 from the sons of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah, and with him one hundred and sixty males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:10 from the sons of Baani, Salimouth son of Iosephia, and with him one hundred and sixty males;
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: G includes the Baani group and explicitly names Salimouth as leader. H has sons of Shelomith followed by son of Josiphiah without another expressed individual name.
Verse 8:11 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:11 from the sons of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:11 from the sons of Babi, Zacharia son of Babi, and with him seventy-eight males;
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H gives 28; G gives 78. Neither census figure is harmonized.
Verse 8:12 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:12 from the sons of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred and ten males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:12 from the sons of Asgad, Ioanan son of Akatan, and with him one hundred and ten males;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Corresponding family and leader forms accompany the same count.
Verse 8:13 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:13 from the sons of Adonikam, the last ones, whose names are these: Eliphelet, Jeiel and Shemaiah, and with them sixty males;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:13 from the sons of Adonikam, the last ones, and these are their names: Aliphalat, Iiel and Samaia, and with them sixty males;
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both distinguish the last group and give three named leaders with 60 males. The wording does not itself explain last.
Verse 8:14 Divergent
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:14 from the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud, and with him seventy males.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:14 From the sons of Bago, Outhi, and with him seventy males.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: H names Uthai and Zabbud, followed by singular with him; G names only Outhi. H's displayed written Zabbud is retained without silently adopting another read form.
8:15–20 — Levites and temple servants are summoned
Verse 8:15 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:15 I gathered them at the river that runs toward Ahava, and we camped there for three days. I examined the people and the priests, but found none of the sons of Levi there.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:15 I gathered them at the river that runs toward Eui, and we camped there for three days. I examined the people and the priests, but found none of the sons of Levi there.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The river destination is Ahava in H and Eui in G; the three-day camp and lack of Levites agree.
Verse 8:16 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:16 I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam, leaders, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:16 I sent men to Eleazar, Ariel, Samaia, Alonam, Iarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zacharia and Mesoulam, and to Ioarib and Elnathan, men of understanding,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H names Eliezer and two Elnathans among the leaders; G has Eleazar and Alonam in the corresponding positions. G's men is the object of sent, while H describes the named men as leaders. Both add the two knowledgeable men.
Verse 8:17 Disparate
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:17 I directed them to Iddo, the head at the place Casiphia, and put words in their mouths to speak to Iddo and his brothers the Nethinim at the place Casiphia, to bring us ministers for the house of our God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:17 and brought them out under a ruler in the silver of the place. I put words in their mouths to speak to their brothers the Nathinim in the silver of the place, to bring us singers for the house of our God.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: G does not name Iddo or Casiphia, giving instead an awkward ruler and silver-of-the-place construction. It requests singers specifically where H requests ministers. The Greek wording is retained as difficult; Casiphia is not inserted as if it were a Greek proper name.
Verse 8:18 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:18 By the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding from the sons of Mahli son of Levi son of Israel, and Sherebiah with his sons and brothers, eighteen in all;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:18 They came to us, as the hand of our God was good upon us: a sachol man from the sons of Mooli son of Levi son of Israel; and at first his sons and his brothers came, eighteen in all;
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: G carries sachol as a borrowed designation corresponding to H's understanding. G's at first they came stands where H names Sherebiah; that name is not supplied to G. Whether H's first description identifies Sherebiah or introduces another man is left open.
Verse 8:19 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:19 and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah from the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty in all;
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:19 also Asebia and Osaia from the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty in all;
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both preserve the two named men and the Merarite group totaling 20, though G's syntax continues the preceding uneven list.
Verse 8:20 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:20 and from the Nethinim whom David and the officials had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim, all designated by name.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:20 and from the Nathinim whom David and the leaders had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nathinim, all gathered by name.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The origin, purpose and number agree; H describes naming or designation, G gathering by names.
8:21–23 — Fasting for the journey
Verse 8:21 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:21 I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, to humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a straight way for ourselves, our little ones and all our belongings.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:21 I proclaimed a fast there at the river Aoue, to humble ourselves before our God and seek from Him a straight way for ourselves, our children and all our possessions.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both describe prayerful fasting for the whole travelling household and its possessions. G names the river Aoue here, distinct from its Eui form at 8:15.
Verse 8:22 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for troops and horsemen to help us against an enemy on the road, because we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good upon all who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all who forsake Him.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a force and horsemen to save us from an enemy on the road, because we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good upon all who seek Him, but His might and His wrath are against all who abandon Him.”
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both state Ezra's reluctance, the military escort he declined to request, and the divine protection and judgment claim behind it.
Verse 8:23 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this, and He answered our entreaty.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:23 We fasted and sought from our God concerning this, and He heard us.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both report fasting, petition and a favorable divine response.
8:24–30 — The sacred gifts entrusted to guardians
Verse 8:24 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:24 I set apart twelve from the chief priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brothers with them,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:24 I set apart twelve from the leaders of the priests, with Saraia, Asabia and ten of their brothers with them,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H has Sherebiah; G Saraia. The lamed/dative linkage is understood as with, distinguishing the twelve priestly leaders from the named group and its ten brothers; the compressed syntax can also be read as specifying the twelve and remains uncertain.
Verse 8:25 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:25 and weighed out to them the silver, gold and vessels, the contribution for the house of our God that the king, his advisers, his officials and all Israel present there had contributed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:25 and weighed out to them the silver, gold and vessels of the first offering for the house of our God, which the king, his advisers, his leaders and all Israel present there had lifted up.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both describe weighing in this inventory context. G histemi has the established weighing sense [LSJ-HIST A.IV]; its first offering and lifting language remain distinct from H's contribution wording.
Verse 8:26 Disparate
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:26 I weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver vessels amounting to one hundred talents, and one hundred talents of gold,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:26 I weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, one hundred silver vessels, and one hundred talents of gold,
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: H's 100 for the silver vessels is a weight in talents; G's 100 counts vessels without that unit. The silver bullion and gold weights agree. This is a material change in the inventory's measurement basis.
Verse 8:27 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:27 twenty gold bowls worth a thousand darics, and two vessels of fine gleaming bronze, as desirable as gold.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:27 and twenty gold kaphoure, a thousand chamanim for the journey, and various vessels of fine gleaming bronze, desirable in gold.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H values the gold bowls at 1,000 darics and numbers two bronze vessels. G has borrowed kaphoure and chamanim, adds for the journey, and says various rather than two. Chamanim's exact referent and desirable in gold are uncertain; neither is silently rewritten as H's valuation.
Verse 8:28 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:28 I said to them, “You are holy to YHWH, and the vessels are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to YHWH, the God of your fathers.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:28 I said to them, “You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy. The silver and gold are freewill offerings to the Lord, the God of your fathers.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both place the bearers, vessels and offerings under their sacred responsibility.
Verse 8:29 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:29 Stay alert and guard them until you weigh them before the chief priests, the Levites and the heads of Israel's ancestral houses in Jerusalem, in the chambers of YHWH's house.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:29 Stay awake and guard them until you stand before the leaders of the priests and Levites and the family leaders in Jerusalem, at the tents of the Lord's house.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H requires final weighing in the temple chambers; G speaks of standing before the leaders at the tents. G does not repeat of Israel here. Its wider account still records weights at 8:30 and 8:34.
Verse 8:30 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:30 The priests and Levites received the weight of silver, gold and vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:30 The priests and Levites received the weight of silver, gold and vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both explicitly describe receipt by weight for transport to the sanctuary.
8:31–36 — Arrival, accounting and offerings
Verse 8:31 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:31 We set out from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of an enemy and an ambusher along the way.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:31 We set out from the river Aoue on the twelfth day of the first month to come to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was upon us, and He rescued us from the hand of an enemy and an adversary along the way.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The date and divine rescue agree. H's second hostile term specifies lying in ambush; G names an enemy or adversary more generally.
Verse 8:32 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:32 We came to Jerusalem and stayed there for three days.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:32 We came to Jerusalem and stayed there for three days.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The arrival and three-day stay agree.
Verse 8:33 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:33 On the fourth day the silver, gold and vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah the priest. With him was Eleazar son of Phinehas, and with them were the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:33 On the fourth day we weighed out the silver, gold and vessels in the house of our God into the hand of Merimoth son of Ouria the priest. With him was Eleazar son of Phinees, and with them were the Levites Iozabad son of Iesous and Noadia son of Banaia,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Both describe weighing; G's active we differs from H's passive wording. Histemi here has its established weighing sense [LSJ-HIST A.IV], while the intransitive stete at 8:29 remains stand. The last father's name is Binnui in H and Banaia in G.
Verse 8:34 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:34 everything by number and by weight; the entire weight was recorded at that time.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:34 everything by number and by weight, and the entire weight was recorded. At that time,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both record the entire inventory's count and weight. G's source-numbered final at that time opens the offering sentence in 8:35; it remains in this row to preserve source coverage.
Verse 8:35 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:35 the sons of the exile who had come from captivity offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs and twelve male goats as a sin offering—all as a burnt offering to YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:35 those who had come from captivity, sons of the sojourning, offered whole burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve young bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs and twelve male goats for sin—all as whole burnt offerings to the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: All four animal counts agree. G calls them sons of the sojourning here, not deportation. Both retain the sin-goat designation alongside the concluding all burnt offerings; no ritual harmonization deletes either clause.
Verse 8:36 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
8:36 They delivered the king's laws to the king's satraps and the governors of Beyond the River, and they supported the people and the house of God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 8:36 They delivered the king's ordinance to the king's administrators and the governors beyond the river, and they honored the people and the house of God.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H speaks of laws and satraps, G a nomisma and administrators. Nomisma is read here as an established ordinance, not automatically as coined money. H's final action is support or uplifting; G's is honoring. The general established-usage sense is verified in LSJ-NOM I; ordinance remains the contextual construal, not a claim that LSJ explicitly cites this verse.