Ezra 8:18 NIV

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:1-36

Details of the journey (8:1-36)Leaders of the family groups who returned under Ezra are listed, along with the numbers of people in the various groups (8:1-14). Surprisingly, no Levites were among them, so Ezra sent specially for some. Levites were essential, as religious service was the main purpose of Ezra’s return (15-20).The journey to Jerusalem would take Ezra and his party about four months (see 7:9). During this time they would constantly be open to attacks from robbers. Yet even though... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezra 8:15-20

The recruiting of Levites to return 8:15-20The returnees assembled on the banks of the Ahava waterway that flowed through the district of Babylon that bore the same name. The site is presently unknown.". . . Babylonia was crisscrossed by a network of irrigation canals that tapped the water of the Euphrates and flowed toward the Tigris, which had a slightly deeper bed." [Note: Vos, p. 65.] No Levites had volunteered to return to Judah. In view of his plans for the restoration, Ezra needed more... read more

John Dummelow

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 8:15-31

(15-31) The journey through Ahava to Jerusalem. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 8:18

(18) A man of understanding.—Probably a proper name, Ishsekel. This is required by the “and” before “Sherebiah,” who was a Levite, referred to by Nehemiah (Ezra 8:7). read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezra 8:1-36

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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 8:1-36

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:1-36

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ezra 8:1-36

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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ezra 8:16-20

I admire the promptness of the Levites in coming forward at the call. And I equally admire the piety of Ezra in ascribing this readiness of the sons of Levi to the good hand of God. read more