Ezra 8:36

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 8:31-36

We are now to attend Ezra to Jerusalem, a journey of about four months in all; but his multitude made his marches slow and his stages short. Now here we are told, I. That his God was good, and he acknowledged his goodness: The hand of our God was upon us, to animate us for our undertaking. To him they owed it, 1. That they were preserved in their journey, and not all cut off; for there were enemies that laid wait for them by the way to do them a mischief, or at least, like Amalek, to smite the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:36

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river ,.... The governors of the provinces of Syria, Palestine, and Judea, which were on that side of Euphrates the land of Israel was: and they furthered the people, and the house of God ; or "lifted them up" F9 ונשאו "elevaverunt", V. L. Piscator; "exaltaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "sublevarunt", Junius & Tremellius. , eased them of all burdens, and freed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 8:36

The king ' s lieutenants - אחשדרפני achashdarpeney : this is generally understood to mean lieutenant or deputy, and is probably of Persian origin, though here greatly corrupted. The Vulgate renders it regis satrapis , to the satraps of the king, which is the Persian satrab . A viceroy in Persian is soubah - dar ; viceroys, soubahdaran . Darafreen signifies a person in whom one has confidence; and achi is an epithet of a vizir. These two words conjoined will make... 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 8:31-36

After arriving. "We departed." "We came." Thus it is that Ezra here relates the rest of his journey, the only thing worthy of note between Ahava and Jerusalem being this, that, through "the good band of God" upon the travellers, they were kept in safety the whole way. This being acknowledged with a suitable note of thanksgiving, as something remarkable in such a journey (see end of verse 31), the story goes onto tell us of the first doings of the pilgrims after reaching the place which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:31-36

Progress. When the treasure was disposed in custody of priests sanctified to watch over it, and the caravan was otherwise ordered, the pilgrims started from the camp of the Ahava en route for Jerusalem. As we might expect from the piety which influenced them in their preparations— I. THEY WERE PROSPERED IN THEIR JOURNEY . 1. They enjoyed the blessing of their God. "The hand of our God was upon us." 2. The Divine protection was respected by the enemy. II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:32-36

EZRA 'S THREE DAYS ' REST AT JERUSALEM , AND SUBSEQUENT EXECUTION OF THE MORE PRESSING OF THE COMMISSIONS INTRUSTED TO HIM ( Ezra 8:32-36 ). After the fatigues of a four months' journey, a brief period of complete rest was well-nigh necessary. Like Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 2:11 ), Ezra was content with a rest of three days. On the fourth he discharged himself of his commission to present to the temple treasury the offerings of the Persian king, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:36

And they delivered the king's commissions . Parts of Ezra's firman concerned vitally the other provincial governors, and had of necessity to be communicated to them. Such were the provisoes concerning Ezra's power of drawing upon the provincial treasuries for corn, wine, oil, salt, and money ( Ezra 7:22 , Ezra 7:23 ), and concerning the exemption of all ranks of the Jewish sacred order from taxation of any kind whatsoever ( Ezra 7:24 ). Unto the king's lieutenants, and to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 8:36

The kings commissions - i. e., the orders issued to all governors of provinces near Judaea by Artaxerxes, given in Ezra 7:21-24.The kings lieutenants - literally, “the king’s satraps.” The word is used in its strict sense, referring to the chief rulers of Persian provinces, from which the “governors” or rulers of smaller districts are distinguished. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 8:36

Ezra 8:36. They delivered the king’s commissions to the lieutenants, and they furthered the people Even the enemies of the Jews became their friends, yielded to Ezra’s commission, and, instead of hindering the people of God, furthered them, purely out of complaisance to the king. When he appeared moderate, they all coveted to appear so too. And the house of God The completion of which they furthered, adorning and furnishing it with these vessels and other conveniences, and promoting God’s... read more

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