3. Chief of the province. That is, the province of Judah as part of the Persian Empire. The chief men of the province are contrasted in the writer’s mind with the Jewish heads of families who lived in Babylon or in other parts of the empire.
Dwelt in Jerusalem. That is, census of all “the chief of the province” living there subsequent to the transfer.
Israel. A collective designation for members of all the tribes, with the exception of the Levites. According to 1 Chron. 9:3 it is evident that among those who had returned were members of the two great tribes of Israel, Manasseh and Ephraim. The citizens are treated by classes, as in other lists, and the laity precede the Temple officers.