Ezra 2:61-63

It is delightful to observe even in these times of deep poverty, how tenacious the Israelites were of their true origin and descent both from Israel and among the order of Aaron. And this is to be referred into an higher cause than merely human considerations or human wisdom. The hand of the Lord was in it that every tribe, and especially the tribe of Judah, might have a clear unquestionable descent from father to son.