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Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:1-28

7:1-8:36 RETURN UNDER EZRAThe temple was completed in 516 BC. Ezra’s return was in 458 BC, the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes I (see 7:1,7). There is therefore a gap of about sixty years between Chapters 6 and 7. By the time of Ezra, former leaders such as Zerubbabel, Joshua, Haggai and Zechariah had died. Without their leadership, Israel’s religious life became weak and its community life disordered. The only detailed information that the Bible gives of events during these years is... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 7:12

GOD Chaldee. 'eldh. Same as Hebrew Eloah. App-4 . GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezra 7:12

12. Artaxerxes, king of kings—That title might have been assumed as, with literal truth, applicable to him, since many of the tributary princes of his empire still retained the name and authority of kings. But it was a probably a mere Orientalism, denoting a great and powerful prince, as the heaven of heavens signified the highest heaven, and vanity of vanities, the greatest vanity. This vainglorious title was assumed by the kings of Assyria, from whom it passed to the sovereigns of Persia.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezra 7:11-26

Artaxerxes’ decree 7:11-26This decree appears in Aramaic, the official language of the Persian Empire, in the Hebrew Bible.The king appointed Ezra as the person responsible to him for the affairs conducted in the Jewish community in Judah. He held a position in the Persian court equivalent to Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs. [Note: Whitcomb, p. 430; Bright, p. 370.] This decree encouraged any Jews in exile to return to their land (Ezra 7:12-13)."The Persians had respect for the laws of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 7:1-28

The Journey of Ezra to Jerusalem1. Now after.. Artaxerxes] The interval of time here implied amounted to more than fifty years, from the sixth year of Darius (516 b.c.) to the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus (458 b.c.). Between the reign of Darius and Artaxerxes there intervened the reign of Xerxes (485-464 b.c.), to which belong the incidents related in the book of Esther. In the early years of his successor Artaxerxes an effort was made to surround Jerusalem, with a wall (see Ezra... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 7:11-26

(11-26) Credentials and commission of Ezra. After the general statement the particulars are given, beginning with the letter of authorisation, in which we discern throughout the hand of Ezra. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 7:12

(12) Artaxerxes, king of kings.—Artachshatra in Persian, Artachshasta in Hebrew. The Persian monarchs inherited the title here given from the Babylonians (Daniel 2:37). It is not used by the historian, only by the king himself.Perfect peace, and at such a time.—Literally, perfect, and so forth. The expression occurs only here, and is a difficult one. Our translation follows the apocryphal Esdras, and is on the whole to be accepted, a salutation being implied. read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezra 7:1-28

II. THE RETURN UNDER EZRA AND HIS REFORMATION CHAPTER 7 1. The journey of Ezra to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1-10 ) 2. The decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:11-26 ) 3. Ezra’s thanksgiving (Ezra 7:27-28 ) Ezra 7:1-10 . The record of the return under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple ends with the previous chapter. Many years passed after the temple had been built before the godly Ezra and his companions returned to Jerusalem. No record whatever is in existence covering the years which... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ezra 7:12

7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect [peace], and {f} at such a time.(f) Some take this for the name of a people, some for time or continuance, meaning that the king wished him long life. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 7:1-28

EZRA'S RETURN TO JERUSALEM (vv. 1-10) These first ten verses form a brief introduction as to who Ezra was and the fact of his coming to Jerusalem. Details are given after this, verses 11 to 26 quoting a letter given to Ezra by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, in whose heart God had worked to encourage Ezra in returning to Jerusalem; then Chapter 8listing those who accompanied Ezra and reporting on the details of thisjourney, the gifts for the temple with which they had been entrusted and their... read more

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