And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. The month Nisan or Abib, which was the month following that in which the temple was finished, Ezra 6:15 , this passover was kept at the exact time the law commanded, Exodus 12:2 . read more
For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure ,.... They were all to a man pure, and all purified as one man; all were of one mind to purify themselves, and took care to do it, and did it with as much dispatch as if only one man was purified; so that they were more generally prepared for service now than in the times of Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 29:34 and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests and for... read more
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity ,.... The tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with some of the ten tribes mixed with them: and all such as had separated themselves unto them, from the filthiness of the Heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat ; such of the Gentiles in the dominions of Babylon, and came with the Jews from thence, who were enlightened into the knowledge and worship of the true God, and not only renounced their idolatry, here... read more
The Levites were purified together - They were all ready at one time to observe the proper rites and ceremonies, and had no need of having a second passover, which was appointed by the law for those who had been accidentally defiled, or were at a distance from the tabernacle. See 2 Chronicles 30:3 . read more
And all such as had separated themselves - These were the proselytes who had embraced the Jewish religion by having mingled with the Jews in their captivity. This proves that there the poor captives had so acted according to the principles of their religion, that the heathens saw it, and walked in the light of the Lord with them. A good example is very persuasive; and particularly so when founded on pure principles. read more
The work completed. These words form the conclusion of the first and longest portion of this scriptural Book of Ezra. All the remaining portion of the book is divided off from this in three separate ways. It is so, partly, on the question of time, a gap of something like sixty years intervening between the events mentioned at the close of this sixth chapter and those referred to at the beginning of the seventh. It is also divided off in regard to its method, being not so much, like the... read more
Timely and wise enthusiasm. It was natural and right that, when the temple was finished, the Israelites, who had spent on their work so much anxiety and toil, and who looked on the sacred building as the one great possession and glory of the land, should find their hearts elated with a strong and glowing enthusiasm. It was timely , and, moreover, it was wise ; let us see its characteristics. I. JOYOUS . "And the children of Israel … kept the dedication … with joy" ( Ezra... read more
Church dedication. I. THAT WE SHOULD DEDICATE A NEW CHURCH TO GOD IN A SPIRIT OF SOLEMN REJOICING . "With joy" ( Ezra 6:16 ). 1. The work itself a joy. As a material structure, embodying the skill and handiwork of man, it is a joy. 2. The purpose of the work a joy. It is built for the glory of God and for the good of man. 3. The spirit of the work a joy. 4. The completion of the work a joy. 5. The prospect of the work a joy. 6. ... read more
Upon the fourteenth day of the first month. The day fixed by the law of Moses (see Exodus 12:6 ). read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:13-22
Here we have, I. The Jews? enemies made their friends. When they received this order from the king they came with as much haste to encourage and assist the work as their predecessors had done to put a stop to it, Ezra 4:23. What the king ordered they did, and, because they would not be thought to do it with reluctance, they did it speedily, Ezra 6:13. The king's moderation made them, contrary to their own inclination, moderate too. II. The building of the temple carried on, and finished in a... read more