Ezra 7:11-28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:11-26

We have here the commission which the Persian emperor granted to Ezra, giving him authority to act for the good of the Jews; and it is very ample and full, and beyond what could have been expected. The commission runs, we suppose, in the usual form: Artaxerxes, King of kings. This however is too high a title for any mortal man to assume; he was indeed king of some kings, but to speak as if he were king of all kings was to usurp his prerogative who hath all power both in heaven and in earth. He... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:27-28

Ezra cannot proceed in his story without inserting his thankful acknowledgement of the goodness of God to him and his people in this matter. As soon as he has concluded the king's commission, instead of subjoining, God save the king (though that would have been proper enough), he adds, Blessed be the Lord; for we must in every thing give thanks, and, whatever occurrences please us, we must own God's hand in them, and praise his name. Two things Ezra blessed God for:?1. For his commission. We... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:11

Now this is the copy of the letter that the King Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest ,.... This title relating to his office is justly given him, since he was the son of an high priest, and lineally descended from Aaron, as the above account of his pedigree shows: the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel ; the doubling of the word "scribe" shows that he was very wise and learned in the law, in the commandments and statutes of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:12

Artaxerxes, king of kings ,.... Having many kings and kingdoms subject and tributary to him; for this was not merely a proud haughty title which the eastern kings F16 See the Universal History, vol. 5. p. 16, 137. & vol. 11. p. 7, 8. margin, & p. 66. assumed, particularly the Persians; for after Cyrus they were so in fact, who took this title also, and had it put on his sepulchral monument,"Here I lie, Cyrus, king of kings F17 Strabo, Geograph. l. 15. p. 502. ;'this title... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:13

I make a decree ,.... Which, according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, when signed, might not be changed, Daniel 6:8 , that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm ; who remained there, and took not the benefit of the edict of Cyrus, which gave them leave to go; but neglecting the opportunity, it seems as if they could not now go out of the realm without a fresh grant, which is hereby given: which are minded of their own freewill to go up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:14

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors ,.... Such a number the kings of Persia used to have from the times of Darius Hystaspis, who was chosen out of seven nobles to be king, and ever after the Persian kings had seven counsellors privileged, as those nobles were, Esther 1:14 , and Ezra had the honour to be sent with a commission from this king and his seven counsellors: to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem ; the inhabitants thereof, whether they had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:15

And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem. In the temple built there; for the service of which, either for purchasing and procuring vessels that were wanting in it, or for sacrifices to be offered in it, the king and his nobles had made a voluntary contribution, and intrusted and sent Ezra with it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:16

And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon ,.... Not that he might take it wherever he found it, whether the owners of it were willing he should have it or not; but whatever was freely offered by them, as Jarchi, that he was allowed to take, whatever he could get in that way: with the freewill offering of the people ; of the people of the Jews, who thought fit to continue in the province: and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:17

That thou mayest buy speedily with this money ,.... Thus freely contributed by one and another: bullocks, rams, lambs ; which were for burnt offerings: with their meat offerings, and their drink offerings ; which always went along with the burnt offerings, according to the law of Moses; and which the king seemed to have a right knowledge of, being, no doubt, instructed by Ezra, or some other Jew in his court: and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:18

And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren ,.... The priests, that he should think fit to take in to his assistance in this work: to do with the rest of the silver and gold ; which should be left after the sacrifices were offered up: that do after the will of your God ; as they should be directed by him, or was prescribed by him in the law. read more

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