Ezra 1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1

In this chapter we have, I. The proclamation which Cyrus, king of Persia, issued out for the release of all the Jews that he found captives in Babylon, and the building of their temple in Jerusalem, Ezra 1:1-4. II. The return of many thereupon, Ezra 1:5, 6. III. Orders given for the restoring of the vessels of the temple, Ezra 1:7-11. And this is the dawning of the day of their deliverance. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1

The Jewish church puts on quite another face in this book from what it had appeared with; its state much better, and more pleasant, than it was of late in Babylon, and yet far inferior to what it had been formerly. The dry bones here live again, but in the form of a servant; the yoke of their captivity is taken off, but the marks of it in their galled necks remain. Kings we hear no more of; the crown has fallen from their heads. Prophets they are blessed with, to direct them in their... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1:1-4

It will be proper for us here to consider, 1. What was the state of the captive Jews in Babylon. It was upon many accounts very deplorable; they were under the power of those that hated them, had nothing they could call their own; they had no temple, no altar; if they sang psalms, their enemies ridiculed them; and yet they had prophets among them. Ezekiel and Daniel were kept distinct from the heathen. Some of them were preferred at court, others had comfortable settlements in the country, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1:5-11

We are here told, I. How Cyrus's proclamation succeeded with others. 1. He having given leave to the Jews to go up to Jerusalem, many of them went up accordingly, Ezra 1:5. The leaders herein were the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, eminent and experienced men, from whom it might justly be expected that, as they were above their brethren in dignity, so they should go before them in duty. The priests and Levites were (as became them) with the first that set their faces again towards... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 1 This chapter informs us of the proclamation of Cyrus king of Persia, for the Jews to return to their own country, and rebuild their temple, Ezra 1:1 , and that, upon it, the chief of them rose up for that purpose, whose hands were strengthened and supplied by those about them, Ezra 1:5 and particularly by Cyrus, who gave orders that the vessels belonging to the temple should be delivered to them, Ezra 1:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:1

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia ,.... Not in the first of his reign over Persia, for he had been many years king over that, and now had all the kingdoms of the earth given him, Ezra 1:2 , but over Babylon, and the dominions belonging to it, which commenced with Darius upon the taking of Babylon; he reigned in all thirty years, as Cicero F7 De Divinatione, l. 1. from a Persian writer relates; or twenty nine, according to Herodotus F8 Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 214. ; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:2

Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia ,.... Of whom, and this edict of his, Isaiah prophesied two hundred years before he was born, Isaiah 44:28 the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth ; many he had conquered before he took Babylon, and then the whole Babylonian monarchy fell into his hands. Herodotus F12 Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 130. So Sallust, Bell. Catalin. p. 2. says, he ruled over all Asia; Xenophon F13 Cyropaedia, l. 1. in principio. reckons up many... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:3

Who is there among you of all his people? .... The people of God, the Israelites, as well of the ten tribes, as of the two of Judah and Benjamin; for this edict was published throughout all his dominions, where were the one as well as the other: his God be with him ; to incline his heart to go, to protect him in his journey, and succeed and prosper him in what he goes about: and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, he is the God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:4

And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth ,.... Is left behind, and cannot go up through poverty, not having a sufficiency to bear his charges in his journey to Jerusalem: let the men of his place keep him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts ; with money to bear the expenses of his journey, with goods to furnish his house, or trade with, when he came to Judea, and with cattle to carry him, and his goods, and to till the ground with, when he came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:5

Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin ,.... Princes of these tribes, and heads of families in them, and of some other tribes too, though chiefly of these, as appears from 1 Chronicles 9:3 , and the priests and the Levites : whose presence was necessary both to direct in the building of the temple, and to animate to it, and to set the vessels in their proper places; and particularly to assist in the setting up of the altar, and to offer sacrifices on it, which was... read more

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