Ezra 1:1-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1:1-4

It will be proper for us here to consider, 1. What was the state of the captive Jews in Babylon. It was upon many accounts very deplorable; they were under the power of those that hated them, had nothing they could call their own; they had no temple, no altar; if they sang psalms, their enemies ridiculed them; and yet they had prophets among them. Ezekiel and Daniel were kept distinct from the heathen. Some of them were preferred at court, others had comfortable settlements in the country, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 1:5-11

We are here told, I. How Cyrus's proclamation succeeded with others. 1. He having given leave to the Jews to go up to Jerusalem, many of them went up accordingly, Ezra 1:5. The leaders herein were the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, eminent and experienced men, from whom it might justly be expected that, as they were above their brethren in dignity, so they should go before them in duty. The priests and Levites were (as became them) with the first that set their faces again towards... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:1

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia ,.... Not in the first of his reign over Persia, for he had been many years king over that, and now had all the kingdoms of the earth given him, Ezra 1:2 , but over Babylon, and the dominions belonging to it, which commenced with Darius upon the taking of Babylon; he reigned in all thirty years, as Cicero F7 De Divinatione, l. 1. from a Persian writer relates; or twenty nine, according to Herodotus F8 Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 214. ; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:2

Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia ,.... Of whom, and this edict of his, Isaiah prophesied two hundred years before he was born, Isaiah 44:28 the Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth ; many he had conquered before he took Babylon, and then the whole Babylonian monarchy fell into his hands. Herodotus F12 Clio, sive, l. 1. c. 130. So Sallust, Bell. Catalin. p. 2. says, he ruled over all Asia; Xenophon F13 Cyropaedia, l. 1. in principio. reckons up many... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:3

Who is there among you of all his people? .... The people of God, the Israelites, as well of the ten tribes, as of the two of Judah and Benjamin; for this edict was published throughout all his dominions, where were the one as well as the other: his God be with him ; to incline his heart to go, to protect him in his journey, and succeed and prosper him in what he goes about: and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, he is the God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:4

And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth ,.... Is left behind, and cannot go up through poverty, not having a sufficiency to bear his charges in his journey to Jerusalem: let the men of his place keep him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts ; with money to bear the expenses of his journey, with goods to furnish his house, or trade with, when he came to Judea, and with cattle to carry him, and his goods, and to till the ground with, when he came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 1:5

Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin ,.... Princes of these tribes, and heads of families in them, and of some other tribes too, though chiefly of these, as appears from 1 Chronicles 9:3 , and the priests and the Levites : whose presence was necessary both to direct in the building of the temple, and to animate to it, and to set the vessels in their proper places; and particularly to assist in the setting up of the altar, and to offer sacrifices on it, which was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:1

Now in the first year - This is word for word with the two last verses of the preceding book; which stand here in their proper place and connection, but there are entirely destitute of chronological connection and reference. Cyrus - This prince, so eminent in antiquity, is said to have been the son of Cambyses king of Persia, and Mandane, daughter of Astyages king of the Medes; and was born about six hundred years before Christ. Josephus accounts for his partiality to the Jews... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:2

The Lord God of heaven - It is not unworthy of remark, that in all the books written prior to the captivity, Jehovah is called The Lord of Hosts; but in all the books written after the captivity, as 2 Chronicles, Ezra Nehemiah, and Daniel, he is styled The God of Heaven. The words however have the same meaning. All the kingdoms of the earth. At this time the empire of the Medo-Persians was very extensive: according to ancient writers, Cyrus, at this time, reigned over the Medes,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:4

Whosoever remaineth in any place - Every one was at liberty to go, but none was obliged to go. Thus their attachment to God was tried; he whose heart was right with God went; he who was comfortably settled in Babylon, might go if he chose. Those who did not go, were commanded to assist their brethren who went. read more

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