And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month ,.... With the above company; this was the month Abib, answering to part of July and part of August: which was in the seventh year of the king; as in the preceding verse. read more
He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month - From the following verse we learn that Ezra and his company set off from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and thus we find they were upwards of four months on their journey. They could not travel fast, as they were a great company, composed in part of the aged and infirm, besides multitudes of women and children. They appear also to have taken a circuitous route. See on Ezra 8:24-32 ; (note). read more
PART II . SECOND RETURN OF THE ISRAELITES FROM CAPTIVITY UNDER EZRA . 1. DECREE OF ARTAXERXES , AND RETURN UNDER EZRA , WITH THE NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO RETURNED , AND THE NAMES OF THE CHIEF MEN . 1. The genealogy of Ezra ( Ezra 7:1-5 ); 2. The fact of his journey, with its dates ( Ezra 7:6-10 ); 3. The decree of Artaxerxes with respect to Ezra ( Ezra 7:11-26 ); 4. The thanksgiving of Ezra ( Ezra 7:27... read more
The reformer. "After these things"—nearly sixty years "after," as usually understood—certain other things came to pass. Things so far similar that they may be recorded in the same connection; things so far different as to open out to us quite a new part of this book. There is this similarity, for example—that we have the story here of another and supplementary pilgrimage of captive Israelites from Babylon to Jerusalem. On the other hand, there are these points of difference—that the new... read more
The exodus under Ezra. "After these things," viz; the events which culminated in the dedication of the temple, and consequent ordering of the service of God. "In the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia," after an interval of nearly sixty years, during which the house of the Lord had so fallen into disrepair as to need "beautifying," and the civil state of the children of the restoration had become disordered, and needed readjustment. With these purposes, and with a view to leading back to... read more
Ezra: his character and work. The study of human character and of human life is not only an essential part of human knowledge, but of spiritual culture. Biography is a means of grace. We do well to follow in thought the lines along which the noblest of our race have moved: we are thereby attracted toward them, and grow up toward their spiritual stature. We may learn from the life and character of Ezra by considering— I. WHAT WE KNOW HE WAS AND DID . He was— 1. A... read more
Ezra the type of as ideal minister. I. THAT HE IS GENERALLY A MAN OF GOOD MORAL ANCESTRY . "The son of Aaron the chief priest" (verse 5). Ezra was in the line of a renowned and religious ancestry; the past history of Israel would be full of meaning to him; sacred traditions would inspire him in the present national crisis, It is well for a minister to have in his ancestry men whose lives and activities have been intimately associated with the Church; their holy example... read more
EZRA 'S JOURNEY FROM BABYLON TO JERUSALEM , WITH DATES (Xerxes Ezra 7:6-10 ). In introducing himself, Ezra seems to regard it 25 of primary importance to state two things— read more
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month. From the ninth verse it appears that the first day of the first month—the opening day of the year—was selected for the commencement of the journey. This was no doubt viewed as an auspicious day for beginning an important undertaking. The time occupied on the way was exactly four months, which is longer than might have been supposed to be necessary. Herodotus reckoned it a three months journey from Sardis to Susa (verse 53), and the younger Cyrus... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:1-10
Here is, I. Ezra's pedigree. He was one of the sons of Aaron, a priest. Him God chose to be an instrument of good to Israel, that he might put honour upon the priesthood, the glory of which had been much eclipsed by the captivity. He is said to be the son of Seraiah, that Seraiah, as is supposed, whom the king of Babylon put to death when he sacked Jerusalem, 2 Kgs. 25:18, 21. If we take the shortest computation, it was seventy-five years since Seraiah died; many reckon it much longer, and,... read more