NOTES ON The Book of EZRA
The history of this book is the accomplishment of Jeremiah's prophecy, concerning the
return of the Jews out of Babylon, at the end of seventy years, and a type of the
accomplishment of the prophecies in the Revelation, touching the deliverance of the Gospel
Church from Spiritual Babylon. Ezra preserved the records of that great revolution, and
transmitted them to the church in this book. It gives us an account of the Jews return
from their captivity, chap. 1, 2. Of the building of the temple, notwithstanding the
opposition it met with, chap. 3 - 6. Of Ezra's coming to Jerusalem, chap. 7, 8. Of his
obliging those that had married strange wives to put them away, chap. 9, 10.
Chapter I
The proclamation of Cyrus, for the release of the Jews, and building of the temple,
ver. 1 - 4. The return of many of them, ver. 5, 6. Orders given for restoring the vessels
of the temple, ver. 7 - 11.
| 1 |
Fulfilled - Nebuchadnezzar carried many of the Jews into captivity in the first year
of his reign (the fourth of Jehoiakim). He reigned forty - five years, his son Evil -
merodach twenty - three, and his grandson Belshazzar, three years, which make up the
seventy years foretold by Jeremiah. First year - Of his reign in Babylon: for he had been
king of Persia for many years. |
| 2 |
All, &c. - In those parts of the world; all that vast empire formerly under the
Assyrians and Babylonians. The gift of which he ascribes to the great God; by that express
prophecy of Isaiah concerning him, Isa 44:28 45:1,13, so long before he was
born; which prophecy the Jews had doubtlessly shewed him, which also carried a great
evidence with it, especially to him who was so highly encouraged by it: or by a special
illumination which God vouchsafed to him, as he did to Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, and some
other Heathen princes. |
| 5 |
Then rose up, &c. - These being a new generation, went out like their father
Abraham, from this land of the Chaldees, not knowing whither they went. |
| 6 |
Strengthened their hands - God can, when he pleases, incline the hearts of strangers
to be kind to his people; yea, make those strengthen their hands, who formerly weakened
them. |
| 8 |
Sheshbazzar - Zerubbabel; the Chaldeans called him Sheshbazzar, that is, Joy in
tribulation, but among his own people he was called Zerubbabel, a stranger in Babylon. So
he looked upon himself, tho' (Josephus says) he was captain of the life - guard. |
Chapter II
The leaders that returned, ver. 1, 2. The people, ver. 3 - 35 The priests, Levites
and retainers to the temple, ver. 36 - 63. The sum total and their substance, ver. 64 -
67. Their offerings, ver. 68 - 70.
| 1 |
The province - Of Judah, called a province, chap.5:8. And he calls it
thus emphatically to mind himself and his brethren of that sad change which their sins had
made among them, that from an illustrious, independent, and formidable kingdom, were
fallen to be an obscure, servile, and contemptible province, first under the Chaldeans,
and now under the Persians. |
| 2 |
Who came, &c. - This catalogue, differs in some names and numbers from that Neh
7:6 - 64, which might be because several names were given to the same persons; and
because of the many changes which might happen in the same families between the time of
the first making of this catalogue by Ezra, and the making it anew so many years after. |
| 3 |
The children - The posterity, as that word is constantly taken in this catalogue. Of
Parosh - That descend either from Parosh, or from that family whereof Parosh was the
chief. And so for the rest. |
| 5 |
Seven hundred, &c. - In Neh 7:10, they were only six hundred and
fifty two, it seems seven hundred and seventy five marched out of Babylon, but some of
them died, others were hindered by sickness, or other casualties, and so there came only
six hundred and fifty two to Jerusalem. And the like is to be said in the like
differences: which it suffices to hint once for all. |
| 21 |
Beth - lehem - And so these were the remainders of the inhabitants of that city. (And
the like may be said of the two following names, Netophah and Anathoth, or others of the
like nature.) So little was Beth - lehem among the thousands of Judah! Yet thence must the
Messiah arise. |
| 39 |
Harim - The head of one of the twenty four courses which David appointed, 1Chron
24:8, of all which courses, some observe here are not above four or five that
returned. There is another Harim mentioned above, ver.32, but that was no
priest, as this was ver.36. |
| 43 |
Nethinims - Persons devoted to the inferior services of the priests and Levites.
Commonly supposed to be the Gibeonites, given, (so their name signifies) by Joshua first,
and again by David, when Saul had expelled them, to the priests and Levites, for those
services. |
| 55 |
Servants - Who had lived in Solomon's family, and after his death, called themselves
and their families by that name, esteeming it a great honour that they had been servants
to so great a prince. |
| 62 |
Genealogy - The Jews were generally very exact in their genealogies from their own
choice and interest, that they might preserve the distinctions of the several tribes and
families, which was necessary both to make out their titles to offices or inheritances,
and to govern themselves thereby in the matter of marriages, and from the special
providence of God, that so it might be certainly known of what tribe and family the
Messiah was born. |
| 63 |
Tirshatha - The governor, Zerubbabel. With Urim, &c. - That this point which could
not be found out by human skill, might be determined by Divine direction. Hereby it
appears that the Urim and Thummim were lost in the destruction of the city and temple,
tho' the Jews fed themselves with hopes of recovering them, but in vain. And by the want
of that oracle, they were taught to expect the great oracle, the Messiah. |
| 64 |
The whole, &c. - The particular sums here recited, come only to twenty and nine
thousand eight hundred and eighteen. Unto whom are added in this total sum twelve thousand
five hundred and forty two. Which, either were of the other tribes beside Judah and
Benjamin: or were such as were supposed to be Israelites, but could not prove their
pedigree by their genealogies. |
| 65 |
Women - For women as well as men were employed in this exercise in the temple -
service. |
| 68 |
The house - That is, to the ruins of the house; or to the place were it stood. |
| 69 |
Sixty one thousand drams - Sixty one thousand drams of gold amount to something more
than so many pounds of our money. So bishop Cumberland, who likewise supposes five
thousand pounds of silver, to be about thirty seven thousand pounds sterling. |
| 70 |
And all Israel in their cities - And they dwelt in peace, in perfect harmony, a
blessed presage of their settlement, as their discord in the latter times of that state,
was of their ruin. |
Chapter III
They set up the altar, offer sacrifices thereon, and keep the feasts, ver. 1 - 6.
They contribute, and lay the foundation of the temple, ver. 7 - 13.
| 1 |
Seventh month - This was a sacred kind of month wherein there were divers festivals,
for which the people had been preparing themselves, and now came to Jerusalem to the
celebration of them. |
| 2 |
Altar - Which was of more present necessity than the temple, both to make atonement to
God for all their sins, and to obtain God's assistance for the building of the temple, and
to strengthen their own hearts and hands in that great work. |
| 3 |
For fear - So they made the more haste, lest they should be hindered. Apprehension of
dangers should quicken us in our duty. Have we many enemies? We have the more need to have
God for our friend and to keep up our correspondence with him. |
| 4 |
Tabernacles - This seems to be mentioned for all the solemnities of this month,
whereof this was the most eminent, otherwise it is not probable, that they would neglect
the day of atonement which was so severely enjoined, Lev 23:27 - 29, and was
so exceeding suitable to their present condition. |
| 5 |
Offering - The morning and evening, sacrifice. The law required much; but they offered
more; for tho' thy had little wealth, they had much zeal. Happy they that bring with them
out of the furnace of affliction, such a holy heat as this! |
| 6 |
Burnt - offerings - And the other sacrifices which were to be offered with them upon
that day, being the feast of trumpets. Burnt - offerings are often put for all sacrifices.
|
| 9 |
Joshua - Not the high - priest so called, but a Levite, of whom see chap.2:40.
To set forward - To encourage them to a vigorous prosecution of the work. |
| 11 |
Sung - That everlasting hymn, which will never be out of date, and to which our tongue
should never be out of tune, the burden of Psalm 136:1 - 26. Whatever our
condition is, let it be owned, that God is good, and whatever fails, that his mercy fails
not. |
| 12 |
Had seen - Which divers of them might well do; because it was destroyed not sixty
years ago. Wept - Because of the poor preparations made for this, in comparison of what
was made for the other temple: because this was destitute of those things which were the
principal glory of the former temple, namely, the ark, and the Urim and Thummim; because
these foundation - stones were far inferior to the former, both for quantity and price, 1Kings
7:9,10, and because these foundations were of a far narrower compass than the
former: for although the foundations of this house of the Lord, strictly so called, were
of equal largeness with those of the former, yet the foundations of the whole building
belonging to the first temple, were far larger than these. |
| 13 |
Could not discern - The mixture of sorrow and joy here, is a representation of this
world. In heaven all are singing and none sighing; in hell all are wailing, and none
rejoicing: but here on earth we can scarce discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the
weeping, let us learn to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Meantime let us ourselves rejoice as though we rejoiced not, and weep as though we wept
not. |
Chapter IV
The adversaries, not being allowed to build with them, endeavour to hinder the
work, ver. 1 - 5. They falsely accuse them to Artaxerxes, ver. 6 - 16. Who thereupon
orders the work to be stopt, ver. 17 - 22. It is stopt, ver. 23, 24.
| 1 |
The adversaries - The Samaritans. The relicks of the ten tribes, and the foreigners
who had joined with them. |
| 2 |
With you - This they spake not sincerely, but that by this conjunction with them, they
might pry into their counsels, and thereby find some matter of accusation against them. We
seek - For so they did, though in a mongrel way, 2Kings 17:26, &c.
Esarhaddon - Son of Sennacherib, and after him king of Assyria, who brought or sent these
persons hither, either,
- in the day's of Salmanasar, who reigned in Assyria but eight years before Esarhaddon;
and so Esarhaddon might be one of his commanders, and the man by whom that colony was
sent. Or,
- in the reign of Esarhaddon, who sent this second colony to strengthen the first.
|
| 3 |
With us - As being of another nation and religion, and therefore not concerned in
Cyrus's grant, which was confined to the Israelites. Take heed, whom you go partners with,
and on whose hand you lean. While we trust God with an absolute confidence, we must trust
men with a prudent caution. |
| 5 |
Cyrus - For though Cyrus still favoured the Jews, yet he was then diverted by his
wars, and his son Cambyses was left his vice - roy, who was a wicked prince, and an enemy
to the Jews. Until - Heb. and until, &c. not only in the reign of Cyrus but also of
Cambyses, and of the magician, after whom was Darius. |
| 6 |
Ahasuerus - A common name to divers kings of Persia. Cambyses the son and successor of
Cyrus, was known to be no friend to the Jewish nation. |
| 7 |
Artaxerxes - Cambyses, called by his Chaldee name, Ahashuerus, ver.6, and
here by his Persian name, Artaxerxes: by which he is here called in the inscription of
this letter, because so he was called by himself, and others in the letters written either
by him; or to him. Interpreted - It was written in the Chaldee or Syrian language, and in
the Syrian character: for sometimes the Chaldee or Syrian words are written in the Hebrew
character. |
| 10 |
Asnapper - Either Esarhaddon, or some other person of eminency, who was captain of
this colony, and conducted them hither. The river - Euphrates. Time - The date of the
epistle was particularly expressed therein, but here it was sufficient to note it in
general. |
| 12 |
Be it known, &c. - This is a mere fiction, which being confidently affirmed, they
thought would easily find belief with a king whose heart and ears they possessed by their
hired counsellors. |
| 23 |
To cease. &c. - As they abused the king by their misinformations, in the obtaining
of this order, so they abused him in the execution of it; for the order was only to
prevent the walling of the city. But having power in their hands, they, on this pretence,
stopt the building of the temple. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings, but
for all in authority under them: because the quietness of our lives depends much on the
integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates as well as the supreme. |
| 24 |
Darius - Darius the son of Hystaspes, successor of Cambyses. |
Chapter V
Zerubbabel encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah, sets the work forward again, ver. 1,
2. Their adversaries oppose them again, ver. 3 - 5. Write to Darius, ver. 6 - 17.
| 1 |
The son - His grand - child; for he was the son of Baraciah. Prophesied - Commanding
them from God to return to building the temple, with a promise of his favour and
assistance. |
| 2 |
Helping - Encouraging the people to work by their presence, and assurance of success.
It is supposed, the work had stopt about fifteen years. The first chapter of Haggai is the
best comment on these two verses. |
| 3 |
Shethar - boznai - Not Rehum and Shimshai, &c. who were either dead, or removed
from their office by Darius. |
| 4 |
We - Jews. Accordingly - According to what they asked. That made this building - That
were the undertakers and encouragers of it. |
| 8 |
Great God - And indeed, thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them. |
| 17 |
Now therefore. &c. - If the case had been so fairly stated to Artaxerxes, he would
hardly have hindered the work. The people of God could not be persecuted, if they were not
belied. |
Chapter VI
Darius's answer, ver. 1 - 7. His decree, ver. 8 - 12. The temple is finished, ver.
13 - 15. The dedication of it, ver. 16 - 18. The passover kept, ver. 19 - 22.
| 1 |
A decree - To search the rolls in Babylon, where search was first made; but not
finding the edict there, they searched in Achmetha, or Ecbatana, and found it. |
| 2 |
Achmetha - The royal city of the Medes and Persians. |
| 3 |
Cubits - Those proportions differ from those of Solomon's temple, which was but thirty
cubits high, only the porch was a hundred and twenty cubits high, and but twenty cubits in
breadth. Either therefore Solomon's cubits were sacred cubits, which were larger than the
other, and these but common cubits. Or, the sixty cubits of height are meant only for the
porch. And the word rendered breadth, may be rendered the extension or the length of it;
it being improbable that the king should give orders about the breadth, and none about the
length of it. |
| 12 |
Destroy - Tho' this temple was at length most justly destroyed by the righteous hand
of God, yet perhaps the Romans, who were the instruments of that destruction, felt the
effects of this curse. For that empire sensibly declined ever after, 'till it was wholly
destroyed. |
| 14 |
Through the prophesying - This is a seasonable intimation that this great and
unexpected success was not to be ascribed to chance, or to the kindness or good humour of
Darius, but unto God only, who by his prophets had required and encouraged them to proceed
in the work, and by his mighty power disposed Darius's heart to such kind and noble
purposes. |
| 21 |
Children of Israel - Probably some out of each of the twelve tribes. |
| 22 |
Joyful - He had given them both cause to rejoice, and hearts to rejoice. God is the
fountain whence all the streams of true joy flow. Of Assyria - Of the king of Persia, who
was now king of Assyria also, here so called emphatically, to note the great power and
goodness of God in turning the hearts of these great monarchs, whose predecessors had been
the chief persecutors and oppressors of God's people. |
Chapter VII
An account of Ezra and his expedition to Jerusalem, ver. 1 - 10. The commission
which Artaxerxes gave him, ver. 11 - 26. His thankfulness to God for it, ver. 27, 28.
| 1 |
Artaxerxes - The same of whom he speaks, chap.6:14. The son - His grand -
son. Here are divers persons omitted for brevity sake, which may be supplied out of 1Chron
6:1 - 11:47. Ezra was not himself the high priest; but he was nearly related to
him. |
| 6 |
Went - With the king's consent and commission. Scribe - A learned and expert doctor.
The Jews say, he collected and collated all the copies of the law, and published an
accurate edition of it, with all the books that were given by Divine inspiration, and so
made up the canon of the Old Testament. Moses in Egypt, and Ezra in Babylon, were
wonderfully fitted for eminent service to the church. According, &c. - By the favour
of God so disposing the heart of the king. |
| 10 |
To teach - The order of things in this verse is very observable; first he endeavours
to understand God's law and word, and that not for curiosity or ostentation, but in order
to practice: next he consciously practises what he did understand, which made his doctrine
much more effectual: and then he earnestly desires and labours to instruct others, that
they also might know and do it. |
| 11 |
Words - The phrase seems emphatical, noting that he explained both the words and the
things: for the Jews in the land of their captivity had in a great measure lost both the
language, and the knowledge of God's commands, and therefore Ezra and his companions
instructed them in both. |
| 14 |
According, &c. - To make inquiry into all abuses and deviations from your law, and
to redress them. Which - Which is now and always in thine hand, being the matter of thy
daily study. |
| 16 |
Find - Procure, as that word is used, Gen 6:8 26:12 Psal 84:3. Whatsoever
thou canst get of my subjects by way of free gift. The people - Of Israel. |
| 25 |
The wisdom - Which God hath put into thy heart, and which appears in the works of thy
hand. All that professed the Jewish religion, were to be under the jurisdiction of these
judges. |
| 26 |
Let judgment - What could David himself, as king, have done more, for the honour of
God, and the furtherance of religion? |
| 27 |
Blessed, &c. - Ezra cannot proceed in his story, without inserting this thankful
acknowledgment of God's goodness to him and the people. |
| 28 |
As the hand, &c. - If God gives us his hand, we are bold and chearful: if he
withdraws it, we are weak as water. Whatever service we are enabled to do for God and our
generation, God must have all the glory of it. |
Chapter VIII
The company that went up with Ezra, ver. 1 - 15. He sends for the Levites, ver. 16
- 20. Proclaims a fast, ver. 21 - 23. Delivers the treasure he brought to the priests and
Levites, ver. 24 - 30. Goes on to Jerusalem, ver. 31, 32. The treasure delivered in there,
ver. 33, 34. The people offer, ver. 35. The king's commissions delivered to his
lieutenants, ver. 36.
| 3 |
Males - Though the males only be expressed yet doubtless they carried the women along
with them, as they did the little ones. |
| 13 |
Whose names are, &c. - It seems the rest came before; so that now all the sons of
that family returned. |
| 15 |
Of Levi - None who were simple Levites, and not the priests. And therefore the Levites
mentioned, chap.7:7, by anticipation were not yet come to him. |
| 18 |
By the good hand - If where ministers have been wanting, the vacancies are well
supplied, let us ascribe it to the good hand of God, qualifying them for the service,
inclining them to it, and opening a door for them. |
| 21 |
A fast - For public mercies. Publick prayers must be made, that all who are to share
in the comfort, may share in the requests for it. Afflict ourselves - For our sins; and so
be qualified for the pardon of them. When we are entering on any new condition of life,
our care should be to bring into it none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition.
When we are in any imminent danger, let us make our peace with God, and then nothing can
hurt us. Right way - A safe and prosperous journey; such a way and course as might be best
for us. |
| 23 |
Intreated - He gave us an assurance of his gracious answer to our request. |
| 35 |
Sin offering - For it is the atonement that secures every mercy to us, which will not
be truly comfortable, unless iniquity be taken away, and our peace made with God. They
offer twelve bullocks, twelve he - goats, and ninety six rams, (eight times twelve)
signifying the union of the two kingdoms. They did not any longer go two tribes one way,
and ten tribes another; but all the twelve met by their representatives at the same altar.
|
Chapter IX
Ezra is troubled at the marriages with strange women, ver. 1 - 4. His solemn
confession to God, ver. 5 - 15.
| 3 |
I rent - Both mine inner and my upper garment. |
| 4 |
Evening sacrifice - When the people used to assemble together. All good people ought
to own those that appear and act for God against vice and profaneness. Every one that
fears God, ought to stand by them, and do what he can to strengthen their hands. |
| 5 |
Heaviness - From that mournful posture, and put myself into the posture of a
petitioner. He did this at the time of the evening sacrifice, because then devout people
used to come into the courts of the temple, that hearing his confession, they likewise
might be made sensible of the sins of the people. And he had an eye to that great
propitiation, of which that sacrifice was a peculiar type. |
| 6 |
Our - He includes himself in the number of the transgressors, because he himself was
guilty of many sins; and because the princes and priests, and so many of the people having
done this, the guilt was now become national. |
| 7 |
Have we been - We are not purged from the guilt of our fathers sins, but we are still
feeling the sad effects of them; yea, and are repeating the same sins. |
| 8 |
A little space - It is but a little while since God hath delivered us, and yet we are
already returned to our sin. A remnant - The far greatest part of the Israelitish nation
were yet in captivity. A nail - Some kind of settlement; whereas before we were tossed and
removed from place to place as our masters pleased. It is a metaphor from tents, which are
fastened by cords and nails, or pins. Holy place - In Jerusalem, called the holy city, Neh
11:1,18 Dan 9:24, which is peculiarly mentioned, because of the
temple, which was the nail that fastened their tents and gave them some hopes of
continuing in their land. To lighten - That he might revive and comfort our hearts. For as
darkness is often put for a state of sorrow and affliction, so light is put for joy and
comfort. In bondage - For we are not quite delivered, being even here in subjection to our
former lords. |
| 9 |
A wall - The favour of the kings of Persia whose edicts were their security against
all those enemies wherewith they were encompassed: and the gracious providence of God,
which had planted them in their own land, and watched over them from time to time. |
| 11 |
It is unclean - This land is as corrupt as any of the rest of the heathen nations. |
| 12 |
Strong - Although you may fancy making leagues and marriages with them, as the only
way to establish you, yet I assure you, it will weaken and ruin you, and the contrary
course will make you strong. |
| 15 |
We are - We are here in thy presence, and so are all our sins; we are arraigning
ourselves before thy tribunal, acknowledging thee to be just, if thou destroy us. Before
thee - In judgment, as that word is often used, we must needs fall and perish at thy
presence. |
Chapter X
The people mourn, ver. 1. Shechaniah encourages Ezra to put away the strange wives,
ver. 2 - 4. All Israel swear to do it, ver. 5. Ezra, mourning assembles the people, ver. 6
- 9 They all, on his exhortation, agree to the reformation, ver. 10 - 14. They perform it,
ver. 15 - 17. The names of them that had married strange wives, ver. 18 - 44.
| 1 |
There assembled - The account of his grief, and publick expressions thereof in the
court before the temple, being in an instant dispersed over all the city, brought a great
company together. See what an happy influence the example of great ones may have upon
their inferiors! |
| 2 |
We - He saith, we, in the name of the people, and their several families, and his own
amongst the rest. For this man's name is not in the following catalogue, but there we have
his father, Jehiel, and his father's brethren, five other sons of his grandfather, Elam,
ver.26. It was therefore an evidence of his great courage, and good
conscience, that he durst so freely discharge his duty, whereby he shewed, that he
honoured God more than his nearest and dearest relations. Hope - In case of our
repentance, and reformation. |
| 3 |
Such as are born - These children were only cast out of the common - wealth of Israel,
but were not utterly forsaken; probably care was taken by authority, that they should have
provision made for them. |
| 6 |
Went - That with the princes and elders, he might consult about the execution of their
resolution. Thither - 'Till he saw something done. |
| 9 |
Of Judah - Not only of these two tribes, as appears from the following catalogue,
where there are priests and Levites; but all the Israelites, ver.25, who are
thus described, because the greatest part of them were of these tribes, though others were
mixed with them: and because they all now dwelt in that land, which formerly was
appropriated to those tribes. The street - In that street of the city, which was next the
temple, and within the view of it, that so they might be as in God's presence, whereby
they might be awed to a more faithful and vigorous prosecution of their work. And this
place they might chuse rather than the court of the people, because they thought it might
be polluted by the delinquents, who were all to come thither. Great rain - Which they took
for a token of God's displeasure against them. |
| 14 |
Our rulers - Let the great council, called the Sanhedrim, be settled, and meet to
determine of all particular causes. Judges - Who are best able to inform the great council
of the quality of the persons, and all matters of fact and circumstances. Until - Until
the thing be done, and God's wrath thereby removed. |
| 15 |
Employed - To take care that the business should be executed in the manner proposed,
that the officers and delinquents of every city should come successively in convenient
time and order, as these should appoint, to keep an exact account of the whole
transaction, and of the names of the cities and persons whose causes were dispatched, to
give notice to others to come in their turns, and to prepare the business for the hearing
of the judges. These two were priests, as their helpers were Levites; that so they might
inform the persons concerned, in any matter of doubt. |
| 16 |
Separated - Sequestered themselves from all other business, and gave themselves wholly
to this. |
| 25 |
Of Israel - Of the people of Israel, distinguished from the priests and Levites
hitherto named. |
| 44 |
Had children - This implies that most of their wives were barren. Which came to pass
by God's special providence, to manifest his displeasure against such matches, and that
the putting them away might not be encumbered with too many difficulties. One would think
this grievance altogether removed. Yet we meet with it again, Neh 13:22. Such
corruptions are easily and insensibly brought in, tho' not easily purged out. The best
reformers can but do their endeavour. It is only the Redeemer himself, who when he cometh
to Sion, will effectually turn away ungodliness from Jacob. |
|
-
Skip These Ads
