Ezra 8:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 8:24-30

We have here an account of the particular care which Ezra took of the treasure he had with him, that belonged to God's sanctuary, Observe, 1. Having committed the keeping of it to God, he committed the keeping of it to proper men, whose business it was to watch it, though without God they would have waked in vain. Note, Our prayers must always be seconded with our endeavours; the care of Christ's gospel, his church, and ordinances, must not be so left with him but that it must also be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:24

Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests ,.... That were in company with him; so that it seems there were more than the two mentioned, Ezra 8:2 , very probably their families, or some of their brethren, were with them: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them ; these men named were Levites, and not priests, Ezra 8:18 and therefore the copulative "and" must be supplied: and Sherebiah , &c.; or with the twelve priests, Sherebiah, &c.; and ten... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:15-31

DETAILS OF EZRA 'S JOURNEY FROM BABYLON TO JERUSALEM ( Ezra 8:15-31 ). We gather from scattered statements in this passage— 1. That Ezra, with his companions, after a journey of nine days' duration, reached Ahava from Babylon on the ninth day of the first month; 2. That he rested three days at Ahava, and proclaimed a fast; 3. That he was there joined by a small number of Levites and a considerable body of Nethinims from the immediate neighbourhood; 4. That,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:21-30

Before starting. Ezra's body of travellers now duly assembled and organised, what else was required? On the one hand, they were in a condition of much danger. Without being very numerous, they were numerous enough to be worth attacking while prosecuting their journey. On the other hand, they were in a position of much responsibility, being intrusted with the care of many treasures for God's house. These were the two things Ezra had to see to before they actually moved. The plans he adopted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:24

Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, etc. Our translators, following the Vulgate, have omitted to render the preposition לְ , which occurs in the Hebrew text before the name of Sherebiah, and have thus represented Sherebiah and Hashabiah as priests, whereas they were not priests, but Levites, as appears from Ezra 8:18 , Ezra 8:19 . The true sense is given by the LXX .—"Then I assigned twelve of the chief priests to Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:24

The sacred trusts of life. I. THE TRUST GIVEN . "And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God" ( Ezra 8:25 ). 1. Their nature. As the men appointed by Ezra had costly and sacred vessels committed to their care, so men have given to them money, time, genius, and influence to carry through life. 2. Their purpose (verse 28). These vessels of gold and silver were given for the use and adornment of the temple at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:24-30

The custody of the treasure. After fasting and prayer, before the caravan moved from the halt on the banks of the Ahava, Ezra made arrangements for the custody of the offerings with which he was intrusted. Whatever is done under Divine direction is intended to instruct, and in these arrangements we may seek for matter of profitable meditation. Let us then consider— I. THE TREASURE . The vessels which were for the service of the house of the Lord typified his saints ( Acts 9:15 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:24-36

Zionwards. Ezra and the company he had gathered were now fairly on their way homewards, and we may look at them, looking also at ourselves, as— I. TRAVELLERS TO JERUSALEM . "Then we departed to go unto Jerusalem" (verse 31). They had come forth from a land of captivity and comparative privation, and were on their way to the land where they would no longer be bondsmen, and where every possible privilege would be theirs to enjoy: they were "going home;" to the land consecrated to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 8:24

Ezra 8:24. Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests With whom he might intrust the gifts that had been offered for the temple. Having committed the keeping of them to God, he also committed the keeping of them, under God, to proper men, whose business it should be to watch over and take care of them. Thus our prayers must always be seconded with our endeavours; the care of Christ’s gospel, his church and ordinances, must not be so left with him, but that it must also be ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

Group of Brands