Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven ,.... In the law given by Moses to the people of Israel: let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven ; for the service of it, particularly sacrifices: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons ? through the neglect of the service of God in the temple, and by reason of the default of the king's treasurers. read more
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God ,.... The king had a right and perfect knowledge of the distinct offices and services of those persons, see Ezra 7:7 , it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them ; that they might be the less encumbered with the affairs of life, and be more at leisure to attend divine service, and do it the more readily and freely; it was usual with... read more
And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand ,.... Which he had a large share of from the Lord, and could readily make use of to good purpose; and this may be meant of the law of God made with the highest wisdom, and to know and observe which is an instance of wisdom in men, Deuteronomy 4:6 , set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God ; such as God, in his great wisdom, directed to in... read more
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king ,.... Either the judge who delays judgment, or does not execute it according to the law of God, and of the king; or the people, that do not obey the law of God in matters of religion, and the law of the king in civil things, Judea being now a province of the Persian empire; though some think the law of the king only refers to this law or decree of the king, which gave the Jews power to execute their own laws: let... read more
Their own free-will - None shall be forced either to go or to stay. He who loves his God will avail himself of this favorable opportunity. read more
His seven counsellors - It is very likely that the privy counsel of the king consisted of seven persons simply. The names of these seven counsellors or chamberlains may be found in the book of Esther, Esther 1:10 . read more
And all the silver and gold - The king and his counsellors had already made a present to the house of the God of Israel; and Ezra is now empowered to receive any contribution which any of the inhabitants of the province of Babylon may think proper to give. read more
After the will of your God - He gave them the fullest liberty to order every thing according to their own institutions, binding them to no form or mode of worship. read more
A hundred talents of silver - The talent of silver was 450£. A hundred measures of wheat - A hundred cors; each cor was a little more than seventy-five gallons, one quart, and a pint, wine measure. A hundred baths of wine - Each bath was seven gallons and five pints. read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:22
Unto one hundred talents of silver ,.... Which amounted to 35,300 pounds sterling; these, according to Jarchi, were to buy the offerings or sacrifices with: and an hundred measures of wheat ; or corn, the same measure with the homer, each of which held ten ephahs, or seventy five wine gallons, five pints, and upwards; these, according to the same writer, were for meat offerings, made of fine flour, or rather bread offerings, as they may be called: and to an hundred baths of wine ;... read more