Ezra 1:5
The Exiles Prepare to Return to Jerusalem
1:5 Then the leaders of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and the Levites – all those whose mind God had stirred – got ready to go up in order to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Ezra 2:2
2:2 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
The number of Israelites was as follows:
Ezra 3:2
3:2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak
and his priestly colleagues
and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his colleagues
started to build
the altar of the God of Israel so they could offer burnt offerings on it as required by
the law of Moses the man of God.
Ezra 3:12
3:12 Many of the priests, the Levites, and the leaders
– older people who had seen with their own eyes the former temple while it was still established
– were weeping loudly,
and many others raised their voice in a joyous shout.