Christian Churches of God
No. F015ii
Commentary
on Ezra
Part 2
(Edition 1.0
20250302-20250302)
Chapters 4-10
Christian Churches of God
PO
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Commentary on Ezra Part 2
Ezra Chapters 4-10 (RSV)
Notes:
The name of the Father in the OT is Eloah. He is the
One True God. The details here are included in the paper Effects of the 20th Century Doctrines
on the Nature of God (No. 076D) among many
other important matters on the Nature of God.
Eloah is the God of the Temple, and we know from
Deuteronomy 32:15 that He is the creator and from Deuteronomy 32:17 that He is
the object of sacrifice. He is the God of the Bible.
He is the Most High (Elyon) and He divided the nations
according to the number of the sons of God (Deut. 32:8 RSV and DSS). He gave
Yahovah's portion to be the Children of Israel. Thus, Elyon and Yahovah, as God
and son of God, are set in place here in the Torah where Yahovah is one of the
sons of God and Eloah is set as the creator. For this reason
the Masoretic Text (MT) was forged in this text in the post-Temple period and
that is why the KJV is false.
Job mentions Eloah in 45 places. The redeemer is listed as one of the Thousand
and is not Eloah in Job (Job 33:23).
We know for an absolute fact that Eloah is God the Father from Proverbs 30:4-5.
His name is supplied in the Hebrew of verse 5.
This name is singular and admits of no plurality whatsoever. The texts
completely destroy the myth that Armstrong created, namely that the OT referred
only to Christ who was the God of the OT and the
Father was unknown in the OT. That is a lie.
Ezra identifies Eloah as the God of the Temple and proceeds from the texts in
Ezra 4:24 to identify the Temple as the House of Eloah, The God (Eloah) of
Israel (Ezra 5:1). The prophets at the House of Eloah are the prophets of Eloah
(Ezra 5:2). It is the "eye" of Eloah that observes and commands the
activities at the Temple.
Darius was petitioned over the House of the Great Eloah at Jerusalem (Ezra
5:8). The Jews knew and stated that they were the servants of the Great
Eloah of Heaven and Earth (Ezra 5:11). But it was the fathers of Judah that
provoked the Eloah of Heaven to wrath. (Ezra 5:12). There is only one Eloah of
Heaven and Earth and that is the Father. To suggest otherwise is idolatrous
blasphemy.
The Jews acknowledged that it was Cyrus that gave the command to build the
House of Eloah at Jerusalem (Ezra 5:13).
The vessels of the House of Eloah were returned to the prince of Judah (Ezra
5:14) and ordered to be returned to the House of Eloah as it was built in place
(Ezra 5:15). The request was made as to whether the decree of Cyrus existed
regarding the House of Eloah (Ezra 5:17).
Darius ordered a search and the decree of Cyrus was
found regarding the construction of the House of Eloah at Jerusalem (Ezra 6:3)
as well as the return and use of the vessels of gold and silver, taken by
Nebuchadnezzar from the House of Eloah, be returned to the House of Eloah (Ezra
6:5). Thus the old temple and the new temple were both
the House of Eloah.
Thus the attackers were ordered to leave the
construction of the House of Eloah alone and the Jews be left to build the
House of Eloah (Ezra 6:7).
The tribute beyond the river was allocated for the construction of the House of
Eloah (Ezra 6:8) and also for
the sacrificial offerings to the Eloah of Heaven (Ezra 6:9-10).
It was Eloah that caused His name to be put there in the House of Eloah and a
hundred bullocks were offered to the dedication of the House of Eloah (Ezra
6:12,16-17).
The Priests and Levites were set in divisions for the service of Eloah at
Jerusalem (Ezra 6:18).
Artaxerxes recognised Ezra as a scribe of the Law of Eloah of Heaven (Ezra
7:12). Ezra was sent to assess Jerusalem according to the Law of Eloah
which was in his hand (Ezra 7:14) and the king and his counsellors offered
silver and gold to the Eloah of Israel who is the Eloah of Heaven whose
habitation is in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:15). They had to purchase animals for
offering to Eloah in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:17) and then they were to use the rest
according to the Will of Eloah (Ezra 7:18). Then they also had to deliver the
vessels of Eloah before the House of Eloah at Jerusalem (Ezra 7:19). Whatever
else that was necessary to bestow on the House of Eloah was to be taken from
the king’s treasure house as Ezra the scribe of the Law of Eloah directed (Ezra
7:20-21. Whatever was commanded by the Eloah of Heaven was to be done
diligently for the house of the Eloah of Heaven (Ezra 7:23).
Also, the priests, Levites, singers and porters, Nethinims were ministers of
the House of Eloah and it was not lawful to impose toll, tribute or custom upon
them (Ezra 7:24).
Ezra was commanded to act according to the wisdom of Eloah to appoint
magistrates and judges. Whoever did not do the Law of Eloah
and the law of the king was to have judgment executed speedily upon them (Ezra
7:25-26).
This being, Eloah, is the One True God. His name admits of no plurality
whatsoever and the Law emanates from Him and He is the object of sacrifice at
the Temple. The priesthood including Christ as High Priest after the order of
Melchisedek worship Him and serve Him. The elohim emanate from Him as Ha
Elohim. They, as Elohim, which is a plural word, are the sons of God and they
are the council of the Elohim of the Psalms and the Council of
Revelation chapters 4 and 5.
Chapter 4
Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple
1Now when the adversaries of Judah and
Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2they
approached Zerub′babel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them,
“Let us build with you; for we worship your God as you do, and we have been
sacrificing to him ever since the days of E′sar-had′don king of
Assyria who brought us here.” 3But Zerub′babel, Jeshua,
and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “You have
nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build
to the Lord, the God of
Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” 4Then
the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to
build, 5and hired counselors against them to frustrate their
purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius
king of Persia.
Rebuilding of Jerusalem Opposed
6And in the reign of Ahasu-e′rus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7And in the days of Ar-ta-xerx′es, Bishlam and Mith′redath and Tab′eel and the rest of their associates wrote to Ar-ta-xerx′es king of Persia; the letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 8Rehum the commander and Shim′shai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Ar-ta-xerx′es the king as follows— 9then wrote Rehum the commander, Shim′shai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 10and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnap′par deported and settled in the cities of Samar′ia and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, and now 11this is a copy of the letter that they sent—“To Ar-ta-xerx′es the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 12be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13Now be it known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 14Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 15in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 16We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.” 17The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shim′shai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samar′ia and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 18the letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 21Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 22And take care not to be slack in this matter; why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?” 23Then, when the copy of King Ar-ta-xerx′es’ letter was read before Rehum and Shim′shai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 24Then the work on the house of God which is in Jerusalem stopped; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Intent
of Chapter 4
4:1
– 6:22 Opposition and support for rebuilding the
Temple
See The Sign
of Jonah…….(No. 013) for the time frame. See also Reading the Law with Ezra and Nehemiah (No. 250).
4:1-24 Opposition from Neighbours halted the building.
4:1-6.
The rejoicing alerted mixed groups who claimed
fellowship in religion (2Kgs. 17:24-28).
Esarhaddon settled groups
there in 676 BCE.
v.
3 We alone will build to the Lord Excluded the others and made them adversaries, and
they remained so for centuries.
v.
4 They then set about discouraging them from
building all the days of Cyrus using these counsellors in court. Cyrus died in 529 BCE. Darius reigned
521-485, Ahasuerus Xerxes I reigned 485-464 BCE.
vv.
7-16 The Letter to King Artaxerxes
v. 7 Letter to Artaxerxes (464-423 BCE) was written in
Aramaic script from his local officials authorised by the commander and written
by the scribe. (see NOARSV note).
v. 10 Osnappar is taken to mean Assurbanipal (668-630 BCE).
Beyond the River means the Syro-Palestinian region West of the
Euphrates.
v. 13 The Persian treasury expected the payment of Tribute,
the customs levies for provincial expenses, and the tolls for
upkeep of the roads.
v. 15 Books of Records see Est. 2:23; 6:1; Mal. 3:16. Laid
Waste 2Kgs. 24:13-15.
vv. 17-24 The King orders the work to cease.
As a result of the warning
above the king then ordered the work to cease.
v. 23 Made them cease also introduces Nehemiah Ch 1.
4:24-6:22
The
rebuilding continues.
This work stopped then until
the reign of Darius II the Persian. The OARSV erroneously covers this fact up
and attempts to go back to Darius I, which is absurd. The construction was
stopped for quite some time down to the reign of Darius II. The claims to limit
it to Darius I are to comply with the forgeries in the Receptus and for other
reasons.
The name of God from 4:24 to
6:17 is the Chaldean Elahh (SHD 426) which is the equivalent of SHD 433 Elowah
or Eloah the One True God who is the Father. He is the God of the
Temple.
From 6:21-7:9 it reverts to
430 Elohim. As the God of Israel that gave the law to Moses and that
subordinate God of Israel was guiding the people there. This is the subordinate
God of Psalm 45:6-7. Eloah was the One True God who was the God of this God who
was Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:8-9).
7:12-26 reverts to referring
to the One True God Elahh or Eloah, The God of heaven and whose Temple is at
Jerusalem.
Chapter 5
Restoration of the Temple Resumed
1Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechari′ah
the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the
name of the God of Israel who was over them. 2Then
Zerub′babel the son of She-al′ti-el and Jeshua the son of
Jo′zadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in
Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them. 3At
the same time Tat′tenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and
She′thar-boz′enai and their associates came to them and spoke to
them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this
structure?” 4They also asked them this, “What are the names of the
men who are building this building?” 5But the eye of their God
was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them till a report
should reach Darius and then answer be returned by letter concerning it. 6The
copy of the letter which Tat′tenai the governor of the province Beyond
the River and She′thar-boz′enai and his associates the governors
who were in the province Beyond the River sent to Darius the king; 7they
sent him a report, in which was written as follows: “To Darius the king, all
peace. 8Be it known to the king that we went to the province of
Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and
timber is laid in the walls; this work goes on diligently and prospers in their
hands. 9Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus, ‘Who
gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’ 10We
also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the
names of the men at their head. 11And this was their reply to
us: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding
the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and
finished. 12But because our fathers had angered the God of
heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnez′zar king of Babylon,
the Chalde′an, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia. 13However
in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that
this house of God should be rebuilt. 14And the gold and silver
vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnez′zar had taken out of the
temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these
Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to
one whose name was Shesh-baz′zar, whom he had made governor; 15and
he said to him, “Take these vessels, go and put them in the temple which is in
Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site.” 16Then
this Shesh-baz′zar came and laid the foundations of the house of God
which is in Jerusalem; and from that time until now it has been in building,
and it is not yet finished.’ 17Therefore, if it seem good to
the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see
whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house
of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter.”
Intent of Chapter 5
5:1-5 Rebuilding begins again.
5:1 The prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, were
raised to tell the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem to get on with the work (Hag.
1:1-4; 2:1-4; Zech. 4:9; 6:15).
5:3 Tattenai appears in cuneiform tablets as
governor of the province Beyond the River (cf. OARSV).
vv. 6-17 Tattenai’s Letter to King Darius
v. 11 The Great King was Solomon
v. 14 The Temple at Babylon is probably that of
Marduk.
v. 17 Royal Archives; the king’s treasury of 7:20 comp. 6:1 (see OARSV
also)
The One True God Elahh or Eloah is referred to
in 5:1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. See also n. 4:24-6:22).
Chapter
6
The Decree of Darius
1Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was
made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were
stored. 2And in Ecbat′ana, the capital
which is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was
written: “A record. 3In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the
king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house
be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are
brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits, 4with
three courses of great stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid
from the royal treasury. 5And also let the gold and silver vessels
of the house of God, which Nebuchadnez′zar took out of the temple that is
in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple
which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of
God.” 6 “Now
therefore, Tat′tenai, governor of the province Beyond the River,
She′thar-boz′enai, and your associates the governors who are in the
province Beyond the River, keep away; 7let the work on this house of
God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this
house of God on its site. 8Moreover I make a decree regarding what
you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of
God; the cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the
royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River.9And
whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God
of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let
that be given to them day by day without fail, 10that they may offer
pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and
his sons. 11Also I make a decree that if any one
alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be
impaled upon it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. 12May the
God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that
shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is
in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”
Completion and Dedication of the Temple
13Then, according to the word sent by Darius the
king, Tat′tenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River,
She′thar-boz′enai, and their associates did with all diligence what
Darius the king had ordered. 14And the elders of the Jews built and
prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechari′ah
the son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel
and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Ar-ta-xerx′es king of Persia; 15and
this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth
year of the reign of Darius the king.
16And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and
the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God
with joy. 17They offered at the dedication of this house of God
one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering
for all Israel twelve he-goats, according to the
number of the tribes of Israel. 18And they set the priests in their
divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God at
Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
The Passover Celebrated
19On the fourteenth day of the first month the
returned exiles kept the passover. 20For the priests and the Levites
had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So
they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow
priests, and for themselves 1it was eaten by the people of Israel
who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and
separated himself from the pollutions of the peoples of the land to worship the
Lord, the God of Israel. 22And
they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the Lord had made them joyful,
and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he
aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Intent of Chapter 6
6:1-12 Edict in support of the Temple.
Search was made and the
decree of Cyrus of the First Years was found. The search was undertaken in the
reign of Darius II the Persian - see the chronology and dates in the
Introduction. Trinitarians incorrectly relocate the decree to Darius I
Hystaspes so they can relocate the dates, so that the forgeries in the Receptus
and hence the KJV are able to create a fictitious timetable to 27 CE., and they
are then faced with a half week of years problem. Their position is absurd. The
Elephantine Papyri show the details of the collections for the refurbishment of
the Temple on its construction and it is beyond doubt
that the reconstruction was done in the reign of Darius II the Persian. The decree for the reconstruction was issued
in 423 BCE. This date commenced the Seventy Weeks of Years. Haggai and
Zechariah appear to have issued their prophecies in 423 and 422 BCE. 423/22 was
the First Year of the New Jubilee. This event was fifty jubilees before 2028
CE.
Darius’ decree was made in
the Fifth year of his reign and that was the year before the completion of the
Temple. In this year the collection was taken up at Elephantine among the
Jewish garrison on the 3rd of the Egyptian month, Pnanenoth, in Year
5. They took up a collection of two shekels per head. This was a special levy
seemingly for the decoration of the Temple when construction was completed in
422 BCE.
6:9 shows that the decree made provision for the burnt
offerings (Lev. Ch. 1), the meal offering (Lev. 2:1-13) and the drink offering
(Lev. 23:13). The punishment for interference was impalement (see also Est.
2:23; 9:14; Herodotus Hist. III, 159.
Making one's house a dunghill was the limit of contempt (2Kgs. 10:27;
Dan. 2:5).
vv. 13-18. Completion of the Temple.
The Temple was completed on 3
Adar of the Sixth year of Darius II in 422 BCE. (i.e. March-April). The dates
given in the OARSV are for Darius I based on the forgeries in the Receptus and
the KJV and the mythical reconstruction
of the Seventy Weeks of Years (see also No. 013).
vv. 16-22 Concluding Dedication.
This was a new dedication as
Solomon had dedicated his (1Kgs. 8:5, 63). Once this had been completed the
Priests and Levites could take up their courses. No such division of courses is
contained in the Pentateuch (see also OARSV n.)
The feasts of the Passover
and Unleavened Bread were undertaken. Darius II had issued the decree for the Passover and it was issued all over the Empire. The decree
of the Satrap Arsames to the Jews in Egypt including Elephantine are at the
Introduction and in No. 013.
The text refers to the King of Assyria and that was
because Darius was the King over the entire area of the North from India to
Egypt.
Elahh (SHD 426), = Eloah
SHD 433), The One True God of the
Temple is seen in 6:3, 5,5,7,7, 8, 9, 10, 12,12, 14,16,17,18,
6:21-7:9 then refers to the
Elohim of Israel.
Chapter 7
The Coming and Work of Ezra
1Now after this, in the reign of
Ar-ta-xerx′es king of Persia, Ezra the son of Serai′ah, son of
Azari′ah, son of Hilki′ah, 2son of Shallum, son of
Zadok, son of Ahi′tub, 3son of Amari′ah, son of
Azari′ah, son of Merai′oth, 4son of
Zerahi′ah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5son of
Abishu′a, son of Phin′ehas, son of Elea′zar, son of Aaron the
chief priest— 6this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a
scribe skilled in the law of Moses which the Lord the God of Israel had given; and the king granted
him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him. 7And there went up
also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Ar-ta-xerx′es the king, some of
the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and
gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8And he came to Jerusalem
in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king; 9for
on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and
on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of
his God was upon him. 10For Ezra had set his heart to study the
law of the Lord, and to do
it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel.
The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra
11This is a copy of the letter which King
Ar-ta-xerx′es gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in matters of
the commandments of the Lord and
his statutes for Israel: 12“Ar-ta-xerx′es, king of kings,
to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven. And now 13I
make a decree that any one of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites
in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14For
you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah
and Jerusalem according to the law of your God, which is in your hand, 15and
also to convey the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have
freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, 16with
all the silver and gold which you shall find in the whole province of
Babylonia, and with the freewill offerings of the people and the priests, vowed
willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem. 17With
this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with
their cereal offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them upon
the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18Whatever
seems good to you and your brethren to do with the rest of the silver and gold,
you may do, according to the will of your God. 19The vessels
that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall
deliver before the God of Jerusalem. 20And whatever else is
required for the house of your God, which you have occasion to provide, you may
provide it out of the king’s treasury. 21“And I, Ar-ta-xerx′es
the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River:
Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires
of you, be it done with all diligence, 22up to a hundred
talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred
baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23Whatever
is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of the
God of heaven, lest his wrath be against the realm of the king and his
sons. 24We also notify you that it shall not be lawful to
impose tribute, custom, or toll upon any one of the priests, the Levites, the
singers, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or other servants of this house
of God. 25“And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which
is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in
the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and those
who do not know them, you shall teach. 26Whoever will not obey
the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed
upon him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods
or for imprisonment.” 27Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this
into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, 28and
who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and
before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of
the Lord my God was
upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Intent
of Chapter 7
7:1 –
10:44 Stage Two of the Reconstruction
7:1-10:16 then deals with the history of Ezra. The timing of
the return of Ezra is detailed in the Introduction to Part I. The decree is
made by Artaxerxes II (404-358 BCE).
Elahh
(SHD 426 = Eloah SHD 433) as the One True God, the Father, then continues from 7:12-26 at 7:12,16,17,18,19,20,21,23,23,
24,25,25,26. 7:27 onwards, then reverts to the SHD 430 as the Elohim of Israel.
v. 7 Seventh Year of Artaxerxes II 398 BCE (see Introduction).
7:12-26 The king’s letter is in Aramaic.
v. 14
Seven Counsellors (Est. 1:14;
Herodotus Hist. III, 84).
v. 20 has to refer to the
provincial treasure house (v. 21).
v. 22 Equivalents of talent, cor and bath are in
OARSV n. to pp. 1530-1531.
v. 24. The Temple functionaries were exempted from
taxation.
v. 25 The wisdom of Ezra is that also of the New Book of
the Law (v. 14) Ezra was empowered to enforce through Magistrates and judges
with four types of penalties.
Chapter 8
Heads of Families Who Returned with Ezra
1These are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and
this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign
of Ar-ta-xerx′es the king: 2Of the sons of
Phin′ehas, Gershom. Of the sons of Ith′amar, Daniel. Of the sons of
David, Hattush, 3of the sons of Shecani′ah. Of the sons
of Parosh, Zechari′ah, with whom were registered one hundred and fifty
men. 4Of the sons of Pa′hath-mo′ab,
Eli-e-ho-e′nai the son of Zerahi′ah, and with him two hundred
men. 5Of the sons of Zattu, Shecani′ah the son of
Jaha′ziel, and with him three hundred men. 6Of the sons
of Adin, Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty men. 7Of
the sons of Elam, Jeshai′ah the son of Athali′ah, and with him
seventy men. 8Of the sons of Shephati′ah, Zebadi′ah
the son of Michael, and with him eighty men. 9Of the sons of
Jo′ab, Obadi′ah the son of Jehi′el, and with him two hundred
and eighteen men. 10Of the sons of Bani] Shelo′mith
the son of Josiphi′ah, and with him a hundred and sixty men. 11Of
the sons of Be′bai, Zechari′ah, the son of Be′bai, and with
him twenty-eight men. 12Of the sons of Azgad, Joha′nan
the son of Hak′katan, and with him a hundred and ten men. 13Of
the sons of Adoni′kam, those who came later, their names being
Eliph′elet, Jeu′el, and Shemai′ah, and with them sixty
men. 14Of the sons of Big′vai, Uthai and Zaccur, and with
them seventy men.
Servants for the Temple
15I gathered them to the river that runs to Aha′va, and there we encamped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found there none of the sons of Levi. 16Then I sent for Elie′zer, Ariel, Shemai′ah, Elna′than, Jarib, Elna′than, Nathan, Zechari′ah, and Meshul′lam, leading men, and for Joi′arib and Elna′than, who were men of insight, 17and sent them to Iddo, the leading man at the place Casiphi′a, telling them what to say to Iddo and his brethren the temple servants at the place Casiphi′a, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. 18And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebi′ah with his sons and kinsmen, eighteen; 19also Hashabi′ah and with him Jeshai′ah of the sons of Merar′i, with his kinsmen and their sons, twenty; 20besides two hundred and twenty of the temple servants, whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name.
Fasting and Prayer for Protection
21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river
Aha′va, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a
straight way for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. 22For
I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us
against the enemy on our way; since we had told the king, “The hand of our God
is for good upon all that seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all
that forsake him.” 23So we fasted and besought our God for
this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Gifts for the Temple
24Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests:
Sherebi′ah, Hashabi′ah, and ten of their kinsmen with them. 25And
I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for
the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his lords and all
Israel there present had offered; 26I weighed out into their
hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels worth a
hundred talents, and a hundred talents of gold, 27twenty bowls
of gold worth a thousand darics, and two vessels of fine bright bronze as
precious as gold. 28And I said to them, “You are holy to
the Lord, and the vessels are holy; and the silver and the gold are a
freewill offering to the Lord, the God of your fathers. 29Guard
them and keep them until you weigh them before the chief priests and the
Levites and the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel at Jerusalem, within the
chambers of the house of the Lord.” 30So the priests and
the Levites took over the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to
bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.
The Return to Jerusalem
31Then we departed from the river Aha′va on
the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem; the hand of our God was
upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. 32We came to Jerusalem,
and there we remained three days. 33On the fourth day, within
the house of our God, the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed into
the hands of Mer′emoth the priest, son of Uri′ah, and with him was
Elea′zar the son of Phin′ehas, and with them were the Levites,
Jo′zabad the son of Jeshua and No-adi′ah the son of
Bin′nui. 34The whole was counted and weighed, and the
weight of everything was recorded. 35At that time those who had come
from captivity, the returned exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and
as a sin offering twelve he-goats; all this was a
burnt offering to the Lord. 36They also delivered the
king’s commissions to the king’s satraps and to the governors of the province
Beyond the River; and they aided the people and the house of God.
Intent
of Chapter 8
8:1-14. Genealogy of Those Who
Returned with Ezra. These are a list
of priestly and law clans that returned with Ezra.
vv.
8-20 Ezra
sent for Levites.
v. 15
The location
of Ahava is unknown but the river is a
tributary of the Euphrates. The scarcity of Levites mirrors that of 2:40.
v. 17 Casiphia is unidentified.
v.
21, 23 See
Est. 4:16; 2 Chr. 20:3; Jer. 36:9 for preparatory fasting for Protection.
vv.
24-36 Offerings
counted, guarded and taken to Jerusalem.
v. 28 Only those dedicated for the
task should handle Holy Things.
v. 29 The chambers were the Temple
storehouses (10:6; Neh. 10:37; 13:4-7).
Chapter
9
Denunciation of Mixed Marriages
1After these things had been done, the officials
approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites
have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their
abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Per′izzites, the
Jeb′usites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the
Amorites. 2For they have taken some of their daughters to be
wives for themselves and for their sons; so that the holy race has mixed itself
with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials
and chief men has been foremost.” 3When I heard this, I rent my
garments and my mantle, and pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat
appalled. 4Then all who trembled at the words of the God of
Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered round me
while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5And at the
evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle rent,
and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my
God, 6saying:
Ezra’s Prayer
“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to thee, my
God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has
mounted up to the heavens. 7From the days of our fathers to
this day we have been in great guilt; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and
our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the
sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as at this day. 8But
now for a brief moment favor has been shown by
the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant, and to give us a secure
hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant
us a little reviving in our bondage. 9For we are bondmen; yet
our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has
extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some
reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us
protection in Judea and Jerusalem. 10“And now, O our God, what
shall we say after this? For we have forsaken thy commandments, 11which
thou didst command by thy servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you
are entering, to take possession of it, is a land unclean with the pollutions
of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from
end to end with their uncleanness. 12Therefore give not your
daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never
seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong, and eat the good of the
land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.’ 13And
after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt,
seeing that thou, our God, hast punished us less than our iniquities deserved
and hast given us such a remnant as this, 14shall we break thy
commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these
abominations? Wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou wouldst consume us,
so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape? 15O Lord the
God of Israel, thou art just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as at
this day. Behold, we are before thee in our guilt, for none can stand before
thee because of this.”
Intent
of Chapter 9
9:1-15 Intermarriage or mixed marriages
Ezra
prays to God regarding the problem (see Lev.18:3; Deut. 7:1-16).
The law
does not specifically exclude interracial marriages but the problem here was
the marriage of those of the faith with other idolatrous groups. This also
occurred with the returnees from Zerubbabel (4:3; 6:21) with Nehemiah (Neh.
10:28-30; 13:3; 23-30) and with Ezra here and we see also in Egypt (see Intro.
Pt. I).
v.2 Holy
race Those who are dedicated to the service
of Eloah under Elohim at the Temple. (Ex. 19:5-6; Is. 62:12).
9:5-15 Ezra's Confession
v. 7. As at this
day they were still subject to Persia (v. 9).
v. 8 Remnant. See
vv. 13-15; Zech. 8:12; Isa. 28:5).
v. 9 Kings i.e. Cyrus, and the subsequent kings
who gave order that favoured the Temple reconstruction (see Intro. Pt. I).
vv.
11-12 No such text exists in known
prophetic writings but see Lev. 18:24-30 and Deut. 7:3.
Chapter
10
The People’s Response
1While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and
casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men,
women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel; for the people wept
bitterly. 2 And Shecani′ah the son of Jehi′el, of
the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have
married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope
for Israel in spite of this. 3Therefore
let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their
children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the
commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. 4Arise,
for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” 5Then
Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take oath
that they would do as had been said. So they took the
oath.
Foreign Wives and Their Children Rejected
6Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God, and went to the chamber of Jehoha′nan the son of Eli′ashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water; for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. 7And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 8and that if any one did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles. 9Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days; it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. And all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. 10And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have trespassed and married foreign women, and so increased the guilt of Israel. 11Now then make confession to the Lord the God of your fathers, and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” 12Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, “It is so; we must do as you have said. 13But the people are many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a work for one day or for two; for we have greatly transgressed in this matter. 14Let our officials stand for the whole assembly; let all in our cities who have taken foreign wives come at appointed times, and with them the elders and judges of every city, till the fierce wrath of our God over this matter be averted from us.” 15Only Jonathan the son of As′ahel and Jahzei′ah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshul′lam and Shab′bethai the Levite supported them. 16Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of fathers’ houses, according to their fathers’ houses, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter; 17and by the first day of the first month they had come to the end of all the men who had married foreign women.18Of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women were found Ma-asei′ah, Elie′zer, Jarib, and Gedali′ah, of the sons of Je shua the son of Jo′zadak and his brethren. 19They pledged themselves to put away their wives, and their guilt offering was a ram of the flock for their guilt. 20Of the sons of Immer: Hana′ni and Zebadi′ah. 21Of the sons of Harim: Ma-asei′ah, Eli′jah, Shemai′ah, Jehi′el, and Uzzi′ah. 22Of the sons of Pashhur: Eli-o-e′nai, Ma-asei′ah, Ish′mael, Nethan′el, Jo′zabad, and Ela′sah. 23Of the Levites: Jo′zabad, Shim′e-i, Kelai′ah (that is, Keli′ta), Petha-hi′ah, Judah, and Elie′zer. 24Of the singers: Eli′ashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. 25 And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Rami′ah, Izzi′ah, Malchi′jah, Mi′jamin, Elea′zar, Hashabi′a, and Benai′ah. 26Of the sons of Elam: Mattani′ah, Zechari′ah, Jehi′el, Abdi, Jer′emoth, and Eli′jah. 27Of the sons of Zattu: Eli-o-e′nai, Eli′ashib, Mattani′ah, Jer′emoth, Zabad, and Azi′za. 28Of the sons of Be′bai were Jehoha′nan, Hanani′ah, Zab′bai, and Ath′lai. 29Of the sons of Bani were Meshul′lam, Malluch, Adai′ah, Jashub, She′al, and Jer′emoth. 30Of the sons of Pa′hath-mo′ab: Adna, Chelal, Benai′ah, Ma-asei′ah, Mattani′ah, Bez′alel, Bin′nui, and Manas′seh. 31Of the sons of Harim: Elie′zer, Isshi′jah, Malchi′jah, Shemai′ah, Shim′e-on, 32Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemari′ah. 33Of the sons of Hashum: Matte′nai, Mat′tattah, Zabad, Eliph′elet, Jer′emai, Manas′seh, and Shim′e-i. 34Of the sons of Bani: Ma-ada′i, Amram, Uel, 35Benai′ah, Bedei′ah, Chel′uhi, 36Vani′ah, Mer′emoth, Eli′ashib, 37Mattani′ah, Matte′nai, Ja′asu. 38Of the sons of Bin′nui: Shim′e-i, 39Shelemi′ah, Nathan, Adai′ah, 40Machnad′ebai, Shashai, Sha′rai, 41Az′arel, Shelemi′ah, Shemari′ah, 42Shallum, Amari′ah, and Joseph. 43Of the sons of Nebo: Je-i′el, Mattithi′ah, Zabad, Zebi′na, Jaddai, Jo′el, and Benai′ah. 44All these had married foreign women, and they put them away with their children.
Intent
of Chapter 10
10:1-44. Resolution of the crisis.
Repentance and divorce of gentile unconverted spouses. The law did not require
that to be done except for idolatry.
vv.
1-6. The
Impact of Ezra’s prayer.
The
people confess.
Foreign
wives and their children put away.
v. 3 The law would be that of Deut. 7:3.
v. 4 The covenant oath must be administered by Ezra.
v. 6. Jehohanan was grandson of Eliashib and High Priest under Darius II.
v. 9 Heavy rain
is usual in Chislev the ninth month (November-December). The assembly then
asked for local enforcement of the covenant.
vv. 16-17 The work began (Tebeth) and was completed by the First
Month Nisan.
10:18-43 List probably derived from the official archives.
v. 19. The
guilt offering signified the wrong had been righted.
Bullinger’s
Notes on Chs. 4-10 (for KJV)
Chapter
4
Verse 1
adversaries. The Samaritans (Ezra
4:10 ). See note on 2
Kings 17:24 , 2
Kings 17:26 .
children = sons.
the temple. The walls and gates already built by
Nehemiah. See Structures (pp. 616, 617), and notes on Neh 1:21 , Jeremiah
25:11 . See special note at end of 2
Chronicles 36:21 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Verse 2
Zerubbabel. See note on Ezra
3:2 .
chief = heads.
we seek your God. A priest had been sent to these
Samaritans (2
Kings 17:28-33 ).
we do sacrifice unto Him. Hebrew text =
"although we have not been sacrificing". Some codices, and two early
printed editions, with Septuagint and Syriac, add "unto Him".
Esar-haddon. The son and successor of Sennacherib
(see notes on 2
Kings 19:37 , and 2
Chronicles 33:11 ).
Assur = Assyria.
Verse 3
Jeshua. See note on Ezra
3:2 .
Israel. See note on Ezra
2:2 and 1
Kings 12:17 .
as = according as.
Verse 4
troubled them in = terrified them from.
Verse 5
Cyrus. The son of Astyages and Esther. See App-57 .
Darius: i.e. Darius Hystaspis (see App-57 , App-58 ). "Darius" being only an appellative
(= the maintainer), needs "Hystaspis" to be added, to identify him;
as Astyages, when called Darius, needs the addition of "the Mede".
See App-58 , and notes on p. 618.
Verse 6
Ahasuerus = the venerable king. See App-57 , and p. 618. An appellative, used here of Cyrus (Ezra
4:5 ), or retrospectively of Astyages; or,
this verse may he retrospective, and should he in parenthesis.
Verse 7
Artaxerxes = the great king. Used here of the Cyrus
of Ezra
4:3 . See App-57 ,
and p. 618. Ezra
4:7-23 may also be retrospective of Nehemiah
2:20 Nehemiah
6:5 ,
companions = colleagues or associates.
the Syrian tongue: i.e. in Aramaic characters as
well as in the Aramaic language. Compare Esther
1:22 ; Esther
8:9 , where "writing"
(Hebrew. kathab, to grave) is the same word as in this book.
Verse 8
Rehum. From here to Ezra
6:18 is in Syriac, which was like the
French of today. Compare 2
Kings 18:26 . From Ezra
6:19 -- Ezra
7:11 is Hebrew; and Syriac again from Ezra
7:12-27 ; then Hebrew.
the chancellor = the master of judgments or
decrees.
the scribe: or secretary.
in this sort = after this manner.
Verse 9
Dinaites. Probably from a Persian city.
Apharsathchites. A Medo-Persian tribe.
Tarpelites. Probably from east of Elymais.
Apharsites. Of Persian origin.
Archevites. From Babylonia. Compare Genesis
10:10 .
Susanchites. From the Persian province or city of
Shushan, the capital of Elam.
Dehavites = the Dahae of Herodotus (i. 125).
Elamites. From a province of Persia.
Verse 10
nations = peoples.
Asnapper = Assur-bani-pal, or Sardanapalus, the
only Assyrian king who got into Elam, or held Shushan (now Susa) its capital.
on this side = beyond, on the west side: regarded
from the east side of the Euphrates.
at such a time. This may refer to the date of the
letter; or be rendered, as in Revised Version, "and so forth".
Verse 11
men. Chaldee. 'enosh. See
App-14 .
Verse 12
Jews. Nehemiah, Hanani, and friends. Occurs eight
times in Ezra, viz. Ezra
4:12 , Ezra
4:23 ; Ezra
5:1 , Ezra
5:5 ; Ezra
6:7 , Ezra
6:7 , Ezra
6:8 , Ezra
6:14 . The name by which they were known to
Gentiles, because the majority belonged to Judah.
set up the walls. Quite true; for Nehemiah's work
had long preceded this. And note that, when Nehemiah's work was done (Ezra
7:4 ) and the houses built, the house of
God was still lying waste (Haggai
1:1-4 ). The Temple not mentioned here.
Verse 14
we have maintenance = the salt of the palace is our
salt. See note on Numbers
18:19 .
Verse 17
answer. Chaldee. pithgam = an order or
decree. A Persian word. Occurs only here and Ezra
5:5 , Ezra
5:11 ; Ezra
6:11 .Daniel
3:16 ; Daniel
4:17 .
Verse 19
I commanded = I made a decree.
made insurrection. Chaldee lifted itself up.
Verse 20
mighty kings. Such as David and Solomon.
commandment = decree.
Verse 23
by force. Chaldee by arm; "arm" being put
by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 ,
for the force put forth by it.
Verse 24
GOD. Chaldee. 'elaha' (ha, emphatic),
singular, same as Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
Chapter
5
Verse 1
Haggai. The
prophet of that name. In the second year of Darius (Haggai
1:1 ), "sixth month".
Zechariah. The
prophet of that name. In the second year of Darius, "eighth month" (Zechariah
1:1 ).
GOD. Chaldee. 'elah (sing). Same as Eloah. App-4 .
of
Israel. Still "Israel", because representative of the whole
nation. See note on 1
Kings 12:17 .
even
unto them: or "[which was] over them".
Verse 3
governor. Chaldee. pechah (modern
"Pasha"). Tatnai was governor in Syria, Zerubbabel was governor in
Judah. Compare verses: Ezra
5:6 , Ezra
5:14 , Ezra
5:6 , Ezra
7:13 ; Ezra
8:36 . Daniel
3:2 , Daniel
3:3 , Daniel
3:27 ; Daniel
6:7 ; and Haggai
1:1 , Haggai
1:14 ; Haggai
2:2 , Haggai
2:21 .
companions =
colleagues or associates.
commanded
you = made a decree to you; given a firman.
make
up = build. So the wall had already been built by
Nehemiah. See the Chronological Structure, p. 617, and notes on p. 618; and
App-58 .
Verse 4
said =
told. Chaldee. 'amar, which must be followed
by the words spoken (which are given in next clause).
we. Note
this pronoun (first person sing, and plural), Here, and Ezra
7:27 , Ezra
9:15 , and Nehemiah
1:1 Nehemiah
7:73 ; Nehemiah
12:27-43 ; Nehemiah
13:4-31 . Septuagint, Syriac, and Arab, read
"they".
after
this manner. Ezra
5:4 should be rendered "we told them what the
names were, accordingly the names of the men",
&c. It is not a question.
men. As
in Ezra
4:21 .
make
this building. Hebrew "build this building". Figure of
speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
Verse 5
the
eye. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
elders. Chaldee. sib = grey, hoary. Used only of Ezra here and Ezra
6:7 , Ezra
6:8 , Ezra
6:14 .
Darius. See
note on Ezra
4:5 .
answer. See
note on Ezra
4:17 .
Verse 6
Tatnai. His
name has been recently found in a contract.
Apharsachites. See
note on Ezra
4:9 .
Verse 8
province. Compare Nehemiah
1:3 .
great =
rolling: i.e. too heavy to be moved without rolling.
Verse 10
chief =
head.
Verse 11
the
GOD of heaven. See note on 2
Chronicles 36:23 . GOD. Chaldee. 'elah. Same
as Eloah. App-4 .
these
many years ago. Neh 500 years.
and
set up. Compare 1
Kings 6:1 .
Verse 12
gave
them. Compare 2
Kings 24:2 ; 2
Kings 25:8-11 .
Verse 13
Cyrus. Compare Ezra
1:1 .
Babylon. Included
now with Persia. Compare Ezra
6:1 .Nehemiah
13:6 .
Verse 14
the
vessels. Compare Ezra
1:7 , Ezra
1:8 ; Ezra
6:5 .
Sheshbazzar. See
note on Ezra
1:8 . This was Nehemiah, who was present, though the
stone was actually laid by Zeruhbabel (Zechariah
4:9 ).
Verse 15
carry them into = set them down, or deposit them
in.
is = is to be.
Chapter
6
Verse 1
Darius: i.e. Darius (Hystaspis). See Chronological
Structure and notes (pp 617, 618), and App-67 .
Babylon. See note on Ezra
5:13 .
Verse 2
Achmetha = Ecbatana, the capital of ancient Media.
Verse 3
first. year of Cyrus. Compare Ezra
1:1 .
offered. Chaldee. deba'h. Same as
Hebrew. zebach. App-43 .
Verse 4
rows = layers or stories, as in 1
Kings 6:36 .
new timber. Should be "timber, one": i.e.
one row. In changing the ancient characters into the modern square characters the aleph ('a)
in had'a ("one"), in the ancient character, was mistaken
for, Tau, the "th" in hadath ("new"), and so was
transliterated. The Septuagint has preserved the original reading, and the
Revised Version notes it in the margin. The two lines should read: "layers
of great stones, three; and a layer of timber, one".
house = treasury: "house" being put by
Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 ,
for the treasures in it.
Verse 5
vessels. Compare Ezra
1:7 .
is = was.
Verse 6
Tatnai, governor = Tatnai, pasha. See notes
on Ezra
5:3 , Ezra
5:6 .
companions = fellow-labourers or colleagues.
Verse 7
Jews. See note on Ezra
4:12 .
Verse 8
I make a decree. This was a new decree of Darius
Hystaspis.
Verse 9
GOD. Chaldee. 'elah .
(Singular) Same as Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
GOD of heaven. See note on 2
Chronicles 36:23 .
wine = strong red wine.
Hebrew. chemer. See App-27 .
Verse 10
sweet savours. See note on Leviticus
1:9 .
Verse 11
alter. A similar strong threat in the inscription
of Darius on the Behistun rock ( App-57 ).
Compare Daniel
3:29 .
Verse 12
alter. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ): "alter [this decree]".
Verse 14
commandment = decree.
Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes. Note the Figure
of speech Polysyndeton, to mark the important fact
that three kings, at various times, were concerned in the rebuilding
of Jerusalem. The last named was the first in order. Darius was Darius
Hystaspis, and Artaxerxes was Astyages (the father of Cyrus), the same as
in Nehemiah
2:1 . See App-57 and App-58 ; and notes on p. 618.
Verse 15
Adar = the twelfth month. See App-51 .
Verse 16
children = sons.
Verse 17
offered = brought near.
App-43 .
all Israel. See note on 1
Kings 12:17 . Note the number
"twelve". App-10 .
Verse 18
as it is written = according to the writing.
the book of Moses: i.e. the Pentateuch. See App-47 .
Verse 19
And, &c. Here recommences the Hebrew language.
See note on Ezra
4:8 .
kept the passover. One of the ten so recorded. See
note on Exodus
12:28 .
Verse 21
heathen = nations.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Chapter
7
Verse 1
Artaxerxes = the great king: i.e. Darius
(Hystaspis). See notes on p. 618. App-57 and App-58 .
Ezra. By this genealogy (verses: Ezra
7:1-5 ), compared with 1
Chronicles 6:15 , Ezra was brother to
Jehozadak and uncle to the high priest Joshua. Ezra was deported with Zedekiah.
son = descendant.
Seraiah. Slain at Riblah (2
Kings 25:18-21 ).
Verse 6
ready = skilful.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Verse 7
children = sons.
and. Note the Figure of
speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in this verse.
Nethinims. See note on Ezra
2:43 .
Verse 8
fifth month. Nisan (March-April). App-51 .
Verse 9
the first day of the first month. See note on Genesis
8:13 .
first month. Ab (July-August). App-51 .
Verse 10
to teach in Israel. This was the chief duty of
priests. See note on Deuteronomy
33:10 .
Israel. Judah contained representatives of the
whole Nation. See note on 1
Kings 12:7 .
Verse 11
the scribe . . . a scribe = a perfect scribe.
Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ).
Verse 12
GOD Chaldee. 'eldh. Same
as Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .
GOD of heaven. See note on 2
Chronicles 36:23 .
Verse 13
decree. This decree (verses: Ezra
7:12-26 ) is in Clialdee. not in Hebrew. An
inscription found at Susa commences with the same words.
Verse 14
seven counsellors. Compare Esther
1:10 , Esther
1:14 .
Verse 15
Israel. See note on 1
Kings 12:17 .
Verse 17
meat offerings = meal offerings. Hebrew gift
offerings. App-43 .
Verse 19
vessels. See note on Ezra
1:1 .
Verse 20
bestow, bestow. Figure of
speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
Verse 21
I, even I. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ,
for emphasis.
Verse 22
wine. Compare Ezra
6:9 . Hebrew. chemer. App-27 .
without prescribing how much = without measure.
Verse 23
diligently = quickly, exactly. A Persian word, , adrazda Occurs only here.
Why . . . ? Figure of
speech Erotesis. App-6 .
Verse 24
GOD Chaldee. 'elahah = Hebrew Eloah
(emph.) See App-4 .
Verse 26
to banishment: or exclusion from the assembly.
Chaldee = to rooting out. Occurs only here.
Verse 27
Blessed, &c. These two verses (27, 28) resume
the Hebrew language.
Verse 28
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
mighty. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .
chief = heads.
Chapter 8
Verse 1
chief = heads: i.e. heads of houses.
them that went up. Most of these names appear in Ezr 2 and Nehemiah 10:0 . The number is 1,496. If there were no women with them, this might be the cause of the "strange" marriages in Ezra 1:0 0 and Nehemiah 10:0 .
Artaxerxes: i.e. Darius (Hystaspis). See App-57 and App-58 .
Verse 3
by genealogy = a
lineage.
Verse 4
Pahath-moab. Compare Ezra
2:6 .
Verse 5
sons of
Shechaniah. Septuagint reads "sons of Zattu, Shechaniah".
Verse 9
Of. Some codices, with
one early printed edition and Septuagint, read "And of".
Verse 10
sons of
Shelomith. Septuagint reads "sons of Bani, Shelomith".
Verse 12
ten. Some codices, with
Syriac, read "twenty".
Verse 13
last. In contrast with
others.
these. The only case
where there were three heads. In all other cases (except Ezra
8:14 , where there are two) only one head is mentioned.
Verse 14
them. Hebrew text reads
"him"; but some codices, with one early printed edition, read
"them", as in Authorized Version.
Verse 15
together = out.
Ahava. Ahava. The name
of the river, and of the city. Compare Ezra
8:21 .
abode = encamped.
none of the sons of
Levi. Only priests and laymen. The Levites were slack. Compare Ezra
2:40 . Only a small number accompanied Zerubbabel (Ezra
2:36 ). Not so the priests (Ezra
2:36-39 ).
Verse 16
for. The Syriac and
Vulgate omit the word "for" throughout this verse, and read
"then sent I Eliezer", &c, as in Ezra
8:17 .
chief men = heads.
men of
understanding. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun), App-6 =
wise and prudent men, especially for teaching.
Verse 17
Casiphia. Not
identified. Probably near Babylon.
Nethinims. These were
the ministers of the Levites. Originally Gibeonites. See note on Ezra
2:43 .
Verse 24
chief = princes.
Verse 25
offering = heave
offering. App-43 .
all Israel. See note
on Ezra
2:2 and 1
Kings 12:17 .
Verse 27
basons = bowls.
of = valued at.
fine copper, &c. =
copper shining like gold.
Verse 28
holy = a holy body. See
note on Exodus
3:5 .
By number and by weight of every one: or, the whole by number and weight.
Also, &c. The fourth
of the ten Sedarim (or cycles for public reading) begins here and
goes on to Nehemiah
2:10 , where it ends; thus uniting the two books in one. See note, p.
632.
children = sons.
Verse 36
commissions = Royal
decrees. Hebrew. dath.
Chapter 9
Verse 1
the princes. Not all of
them. Compare Ezra
9:2 .
People of Israel. See
note on Ezra
2:2 and 1
Kings 12:17 .
people = peoples, or
nations.
Canaanites. Contrary to
the law (Exodus
34:12-16 . Deuteronomy
7:1-3 ). See App-23 and App-25 .
Verse 2
holy seed ,
or the sanctuary's seed. See note on Exodus
3:5 and compare Daniel
2:43 .Exodus
19:6 ; Exodus
22:31 .Deuteronomy
7:6 ; Deuteronomy
14:2 .
trespass = defection.
Hebrew. ma'al. App-44 . Not the same word as
in Ezra
9:6 .
Verse 3
rent my garment,
&c. These were signs of inward mourning. See Ezra
9:5 . Jos 7:6 . 1
Samuel 4:12 . 2
Samuel 1:2 ; 2Sa 13:31 . 2
Kings 18:37 . Job
1:20 . Matthew
26:65 .
astonied: i.e. causing
astonishment in such as saw me.
Verse 4
trembled at the words,
&c. Compare Isaiah
66:2 .
transgression =
defection. Hebrew. ma'al. App-44 .
sacrifice = meal
offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .
Verse 5
having rent = having
already rent.
I feel upon my
knees. Compare Ezra
10:1 . 2
Chronicles 6:13 .Daniel
6:10 . Luke
22:41 .Acts
7:60 ; Acts
9:40 ; Acts
20:36 ; Act :21:5 .
the
LORD. Hebrew Jehovah. App-4 .
Verse 6
trespass. Hebrew. 'ashma (feminine.) = guilt incurred. The rnasc. = guilt
imputed (as in Leviticus
5:7 . Numbers
5:8 . 2
Kings 12:16 . Psalms
68:21 ). App-44 . Not the same word as
in Ezra
9:2 . Compare verses: Ezra
9:7 , Ezra
9:13 , Ezra
9:15 .
Verse 7
been delivered. For
these selfsame sins! as in Ezra
9:2 . confusion of face. Compare Daniel
9:5-7 .
Verse 8
a little space = a
little while. Hebrew. kim'at. See note on "almost" (Proverbs
5:14 ). Referring to the respite which had been begun by the kings of
Assyria (Ezra
6:22 .Nehemiah
9:32; Nehemiah
9:32 ) and continued by the kings of Persia.
remnant to escape. The
same which Nehemiah had already inquired about (Nehemiah
1:2 , Nehemiah
1:3 ).
a nail = a peg surely
driven in. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the dwelling secured by it.
holy place = Jerusalem,
or sanctuary. Compare Psalms
24:3 .Isaiah
56:7 , &c.
Verse 9
we were. Or, supply the Ellipsis "we [are]".
bondmen. The subjects of
the Persians (Nehemiah
9:36 ).
mercy = lovingkindness,
or grace.
kings of Persia. See
App-57 .
to repair the
desolations. Compare Nehemiah
1:2 , Nehemiah
1:3 .
give us a wall. This
helps to prove that the task of Nehemiah had already been effected.
See the Structure on p. 617, notes on p. 618, and App-58 .
Verse 10
what shall we say . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
Verse 11
by = by the hand of.
filthiness. Showing
Ezra's acquaintance with the Pentateuch. Compare Genesis
15:16 . Deuteronomy
9:5 .
Verse 12
nor seek their
peace. Reference to Pentateuch: the very words of Deuteronomy
23:6 .
children = sons.
Verse 13
evil. Heb, ra'a'. App-44 .
such deliverance: or, such a reserved survival.
Verse 14
Should we .
. . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
Verse 15
we remain yet escaped: or, we are left but a remnant that is escaped. Compare Nehemiah
1:2 , Nehemiah
1:3 .
behold. Figure of
speech Asterismos. App-6 .
Chapter 10
Verse 1
when Ezra had
prayed. Note the change to the third person. This does not imply another
authorship. Such changes are common. Compare Isaiah
6:5-8 ; Isaiah
7:3 ; Isaiah
37:6 with other passages. Also Jeremiah
20:1-6 with Ezra
10:7 ; and Jeremiah
21:1 with Jeremiah
28:1 , Jeremiah
28:5 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with
Art.) = the [true] God. App-4 .
Israel. Compare Ezra
1:5 .Ezra
2:2 , Ezra
2:59 , Ezra
2:70 ; Ezra
6:21 ; Ezra
7:10 , Ezra
7:13 ; Ezra
8:25 ; Ezra
9:1 . See note on 1
Kings 12:17 .
congregation = assembly.
Assembled 24th Tisri. Compare Nehemiah
9:3 .
children = little ones.
Hebrew. yeled. Not the same word as in Ezra
10:7 .
wept very sore. Hebrew
"wept a great weeping". Figure of speech Polyptoton. See
note on Genesis
26:28 .
Verse 2
the sons of
Elam. Compare Ezra
10:26 .
answered and said. A Hebrew idiom, by which the first verb
"answered" must be rendered according to the context. Here =
"confessed and said".
trespassed = acted
treacherously. Hebrew. ma'al . App-44 .
people = peoples.
in = for.
Verse 3
such as are born. It
does not appear that Shechaniah's proposal was carried out. Compare
verses: Ezra
10:11 , Ezra
10:14 .
counsel. See Psalms
33:11 ; Psalms
73:24 ; Psalms
106:13 .Proverbs
8:14 ; Proverbs
19:21 .Isaiah
46:10 , Isaiah
46:11 .
my LORD* = Jehovah. One
of the 134 places where Jehovah was altered by
the Sopherim to Adonay. See App-32 and App-4 .
tremble. Compare Ezra
9:4 .
according to the
law. See Deuteronomy
24:1 , Deuteronomy
24:2 .
Verse 4
Arise. It would seem that Ezra continued kneeling.
Verse 5
the chief priests = the
princes of the priests. Compare 2
Chronicles 36:14 .
the Levites. Some
codices, with one early printed edition, read "and the Levites".
Verse 6
Then Ezra rose up. In
response to Shechaniah.
Johanan. The son of
Eliashib, the high priest who succeeded Joiakim, the successor of Jeshua (Nehemiah
12:10 , Nehemiah
12:23 ).
came thither. According
to Syriac and Arabic = "lodged (or spent the night) there".
mourned. Compare the
first occurance of Hebrew ' abal . Genesis
37:34 .
transgression =
unfaithfulness. Hebrew. ma'al. App-44. Compare Ezra
10:2 ; Ezra
10:10 .
Verse 7
children = sons. Not.
the same word as in Ezra
10:1 .
captivity = exile. As in
verses: Ezra
10:6 , Ezra
10:8 , Ezra
10:16 ; Ezra
1:11 ; Ezra
2:1 ; Ezra
4:1 ; Ezra
6:19 , Ezra
6:20 , Ezra
6:21 ; Ezra
8:35 .
Verse 8
forfeited = devoted.
carried away = into
captivity.
Verse 9
Judah and Benjamin. Yet
spoken of as containing representatives of all Israel. See note on Ezra
10:1 .
ninth month. That is
Chisleu (= Nov. -Dec), four months after Ezra's arrival (Ezra
7:8 ).
street = broad place.
Verse 10
trespass. Hebrew. 'ashah. See note on Ezra
9:6 .
Verse 11
the
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Verse 12
As thou hast said =
according to thy words. Hebrew margin reads "word".
Verse 13
a time of much rain =
the rainy season.
transgressed = rebelled.
Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .
Verse 14
rulers = princes.
for. Hebrew. 'ad
= "until", as in the previous clause. Translate and supply
Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus:
"until the fierce wrath of our God be turned from us, until this matter
[be carried out]".
Verse 15
Only = But, or.
Nevertheless.
Tikvah. Compare 2
Kings 22:14 and 1Ch 34:22 .
were employed, &c. =
superintended [the business].
Verse 16
certain = men.
Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .
chief = heads.
Verse 17
the first day of the first
month. See note on Genesis
8:13 . Ezra's last date. The commission, therefore, sat for
eighty-eight days.
Verse 18
the sons Of Joshua. Who
had come up with Zerubbabel (Ezra
2:2 ). There were 973 priests of that house (Ezra
2:36 ). There were found guilty seventeen priests, ten Levites singers
and sorters, and eighty-six lay people, making 118 in all.
Verse 19
gave their hands. Hebrew
idiom for giving their word. Compare 2
Kings 10:15 .
being
guilty. Compare Leviticus
5:1 .
a ram. See Leviticus
5:14-19 .
Verse 22
Nethaneel. Some codices,
with five early printed editions, read "and Nethaneel".
and Bamoth. Hebrew text
reads "Jeremoth". Margin reads "and Ramoth".
of. Some codices, with
one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, have this word
"of" in the text.
strange = foreign.
Thus ends the first part
of this book "Ezra-Nehemiah"; not abruptly; as it is followed by the
second part, which is concerned mainly with the rebuilding of the city and the
walls, instead of with the Temple. The incidents recorded in Nehemiah
1:1 Nehemiah
7:4 had taken place before the first return under Zerubbabel, See the
Structures and notes on pp 617, 618, and App-58 . Compare also Nehemiah
7:4 with Haggai
1:1-4 .
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