Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 8:32
(32) Three days.—Devoted, as in the similar case of Nehemiah, to rest and more private devotion. read more
(32) Three days.—Devoted, as in the similar case of Nehemiah, to rest and more private devotion. read more
(32-36) The arrival in Jerusalem, and first proceedings there. read more
CHAPTER 8 1. Those who returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:1-14 ) 2. The gathering at Ahava (Ezra 8:15-20 ) 3. The fast proclaimed (Ezra 8:21-23 ) 4. The appointment of guardians (Ezra 8:24-30 ) 5. The departure and arrival in Jerusalem (Ezra 8:31-36 ) Ezra 8:1-14 . The names of those who gathered around Ezra and went up with him are here recorded. In view of the magnificent decree and liberality of Artaxerxes, the company was very small. The majority preferred Babylon, and remained there.... read more
A LIST OF EZRA'S COMPANIONS (vv. 1-14) Those who voluntarily came to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem are recorded here, the men numbering almost 1500. Women also must have been present, but are not mentioned.Not that God thinks less of the faith of women, for He often commends them for their devotedness, but since the emphasis here is on publication, and the women do not hold a public place, there was no reason to refer to them.Children too are not mentioned. In fact, the emphasis inverse 1 is... read more
EZRA AND HIS REFORMS THE COMMISSION AND ITS EXECUTION (Ezra 7-8) The first of these chapters tells who Ezra was (Ezra 7:1-6 ), the date and object of his journey to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:7-10 ), the nature and extent of his commission from the king (Ezra 7:11-26 ), and his feelings in the premises (Ezra 7:27-28 ). The second, gives the number and genealogic record of the Jews who accompanied him (Ezra 7:1-20 ), the spirit in which they entered upon the pilgrimage (Ezra 7:21-25 ), the... read more
Ezra 8:0 15. ¶ And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava [Ahava was both a town and a river]; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi [only seventy-four had returned with Zerubbabel]. 16. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Alnathan, men... read more
I admire the continual observance of the offerings, and the sacrifices; not for the multitudes of beasts slaughtered, but for the evident reference the whole had to the person of the Lamb of God. Oh! how impossible must it have been for all the art and contrivance of man, in such a succession of ages, to have kept up so expensive a train of services, had not the Lord's hand been evidently with them to testify of his dear Son. Yes! blessed Jesus! thy one offering, by which thou hast forever... read more
31-36 Enemies laid wait for the Jews, but God protected them. Even the common perils of journeys, call us to go out with prayer, and to return with praise and thanksgiving. But what shall we render when the Lord has led us safely through the pilgrimage of life, through the gloomy vale of death, out of the reach of all our enemies, into everlasting happiness! Among their sacrifices they had a sin-offering. The atonement sweetens and secures every mercy to us, which will not be truly comfortable,... read more
Ezra 8 THE FIRST FOURTEEN verses are occupied with the names of those who accompanied Ezra according to their genealogies, and with the number of the males in each family. God has seen to it that the names of those who bestirred themselves to answer to His call to return to the land, should be placed on record in a very permanent way, while the names of those who did not bestir themselves are almost entirely lost. With verse fifteen we resume the history of the migration; how again, as is... read more
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 8:1-36
Particulars of Ezra’s Company1. Them that went up] The sum of the numbers given is 1,496. Only males are mentioned, and if no women accompanied them, the absence of such doubtless increased the tendency that the people manifested to intermarry with heathen families. 2. Hattush] This should be connected closely with the following clause, Hattush being grandson of Shecaniah: 1 Chronicles 3:22. 3. Of the sons of Pharosh] Most of the families in this list also appear (with some variations) in Ezra... read more