But they were not found; therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. Because their genealogy could not be found and approved, they were held in the rank of ordinary Israelites, men not sanctified for the holy office of priesthood; and therefore were accordingly put from their ministration. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim. And the governor or deputy (who was Shoshbazzar) said unto them, by the motion and information of the Jews, that they should not be admitted to eat of those holy things (whose use was peculiar to the sacred tribe) until there should be a decision made of this question by a priest of God, who, by the oracle of the breastplate, should give sentence and determination hereof from God himself. The people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah. The people of the land disheartened and discouraged the people of Judah, from this holy enterprise of building the temple of God. Whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over. Whom the great and noble Esar-haddon, king of Assyria, brought over. See verse 2.