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Matthew Henry

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 8:27

Also twenty basins of gold, of a thousand drams ,.... Which were upwards of 1000 pounds of our money; for Bishop Cumberland says F5 Scripture Weights and Measures, ch. 4. p. 115. , the Persian "daric", "drachma", or "drachm", weighed twenty shillings and four pence; and, according to Dr. Bernard, it exceeded one of our guineas by two grains; see Gill on 1 Chronicles 29:7 . and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold ; which perhaps is the same with the Indian or Persian... 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 8:24-30

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:27

Twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams (see comment on Ezra 2:69 ). The "basons" would be worth about £55 each. Fine copper, precious as gold . The metal intended is probably that known to the Romans as orichalchum , which is generally believed to have been brass, but which may have been a more complicated amalgam. Being rarely, and perhaps only accidentally, produced, this metal was highly valued. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 8:27

Twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams - Not of a thousand drams (i. e., darics) each, but worth altogether a thousand darics. As the value of the daric was about 22 shillings of British money, each basin, or saucer, would have been worth (apart from the fashioning) 55 British pounds.Of fine copper - The word translated “fine,” which occurs here only, is thought to mean either “yellow” or “glittering” (see the margin). Probably the vessels were of orichalcum, an amalgam which was either... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 8:26-27

Ezra 8:26-27. Six hundred and fifty talents of silver Making, at f375 sterling to the talent, f243,750 sterling. And silver vessels a hundred talents Making near f40,000 sterling. And of gold (probably in coin) a hundred talents Which at f4,500 per talent, make f450,000 sterling. Also twenty basins of gold of a thousand drachms About f1,000 sterling value. And two vessels of fine copper As valuable as gold. 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

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