Ezra 7:24

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:24

Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God ,.... The king had a right and perfect knowledge of the distinct offices and services of those persons, see Ezra 7:7 , it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them ; that they might be the less encumbered with the affairs of life, and be more at leisure to attend divine service, and do it the more readily and freely; it was usual with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 7:24

It shall not be lawful to impose toll - As these persons had no private revenues, it would have been unreasonable to have laid them under taxation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:11-26

The reformer's commission. The insertion here of this decree of Artaxerxes at length, and in its original Chaldee form, is in more or less close keeping with the earlier parts of this book ( Ezra 1:2-4 ; Ezra 4:11-16 , Ezra 4:17-22 ; Ezra 5:6-17 ; Ezra 6:3-12 ); and furnishes an argument, therefore, strongly in favour of the unity of authorship of the whole book. It is also in keeping with the character of Ezra himself. As a special student of God's written law, he would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:11-26

Pagan piety. It is certainly a striking fact that a second Persian monarch should have shown so right a feeling toward the people and the cause of God. We have in this Artaxerxes another illustration of pagan piety. We see— I. ITS FAITH . "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done," etc. ( Ezra 7:23 ). Evidently Artaxerxes thoroughly believed in the existence and the power of Jehovah. It is noteworthy that he speaks of him not as the God of Judaea or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:11-26

Ezra's commission from Artaxerxes. After giving a general account of the exodus of Israel from Babylon under his leadership, Ezra transcribes the letter of the king of Persia containing his commission. In considering this very remarkable document, we notice— I. THE GREETING . 1. The monarch announces himself. "Artaxerxes king of kings." 2. He addresses his letter : II. THE FAVOURS . Verse 13, etc. The particulars are— 1. Permission to go up to Jerusalem. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:11-28

1. the permission accorded to all Persian subjects of Israelite descent to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem (verse 13); 2. the commission to Ezra to convey to Jerusalem certain offerings made by the king and his chief courtiers to the God of Israel (verses 15, 19); 3. the permission given him to convey to Jerusalem the free-will offerings of Jews and others resident in Babylonia (verse 16); 4. permission to Ezra to draw on the royal treasury to the amount of a hundred talents of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:21-24

The decree of Artaxerxes to the treasurers. Embodied in the letter of the Persian king to Ezra we have certain directions addressed through him to the treasurers beyond the river. These directions, though emanating from a heathen source, suggest the principles which should guide liberality in the cause of God , as to its measure, its spirit, and its reasons. I. THE MEASURE . 1. This should be generous. "Whatsoever Ezra the priest," etc. 2. It should not be reckless. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 7:24

We certify you. The use of the plural is curious. Hitherto the king has made every permission and command to rest on his own sole authority (see Ezra 7:12 , Ezra 7:13 , Ezra 7:21 ). Now that he reaches the most important point in the whole of his decree—the permanent exemption of a large part of the people from liability to taxation of any kind, his style changes, and he says, " We certify you." Perhaps he speaks in the name of himself and his successors ; or possibly he means... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 7:24

The decree of Artaxerxes was more favorable to the Jews than those of all previous Persian monarchs. We hear of a similar exemption of ecclesiastics from tribute, only to a less extent, under the Seleucidae.Ministers - The rare word here used, which in Daniel has the sense of “worshippers,” appears to designate in this place the lowest class of persons employed in the service of the temple. read more

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