Ezra 6:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:13-22

Here we have, I. The Jews? enemies made their friends. When they received this order from the king they came with as much haste to encourage and assist the work as their predecessors had done to put a stop to it, Ezra 4:23. What the king ordered they did, and, because they would not be thought to do it with reluctance, they did it speedily, Ezra 6:13. The king's moderation made them, contrary to their own inclination, moderate too. II. The building of the temple carried on, and finished in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:17

And offered, at the dedication of this house of God, an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs ,.... Hecatombs of various sorts, which were always reckoned grand sacrifices, even among Heathens, of which Homer sometimes speaks; some of these were for burnt offerings, and others peace offerings, by way of thankfulness to God for the finishing of the temple; part of which belonging to the offerers, they feasted upon it with great gladness of heart: and for a sin offering for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 6:17

Twelve he-goats - This was a sin-offering for every tribe. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:13-22

The work completed. These words form the conclusion of the first and longest portion of this scriptural Book of Ezra. All the remaining portion of the book is divided off from this in three separate ways. It is so, partly, on the question of time, a gap of something like sixty years intervening between the events mentioned at the close of this sixth chapter and those referred to at the beginning of the seventh. It is also divided off in regard to its method, being not so much, like the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:16-18

DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE ( Ezra 6:16-18 ). Following the example of Solomon, who had solemnly "dedicated" the first temple ( 1 Kings 8:63 ), and had offered on the occasion a sacrifice unexampled for its magnitude in the whole of Jewish history ( ibid. ), Zerubbabel now, under the advice of two prophets, inaugurated the new building with a similar ceremony. In "the day of small things" it was not possible for him to emulate Solomon's magnificence in respect of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:16-18

The dedication of the temple. As the temple was a type of the Church of God, and the stones of which it was composed represented individual believers, so the completing of the building foreshadowed that grand consummation in which the number of the elect shall be complete. The consequent dedication of the finished edifice will therefore represent the future devotion to the service of God of his glorified Church. By anticipation it also describes the service which believers should now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:16-22

Timely and wise enthusiasm. It was natural and right that, when the temple was finished, the Israelites, who had spent on their work so much anxiety and toil, and who looked on the sacred building as the one great possession and glory of the land, should find their hearts elated with a strong and glowing enthusiasm. It was timely , and, moreover, it was wise ; let us see its characteristics. I. JOYOUS . "And the children of Israel … kept the dedication … with joy" ( Ezra... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:16-22

Church dedication. I. THAT WE SHOULD DEDICATE A NEW CHURCH TO GOD IN A SPIRIT OF SOLEMN REJOICING . "With joy" ( Ezra 6:16 ). 1. The work itself a joy. As a material structure, embodying the skill and handiwork of man, it is a joy. 2. The purpose of the work a joy. It is built for the glory of God and for the good of man. 3. The spirit of the work a joy. 4. The completion of the work a joy. 5. The prospect of the work a joy. 6. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:17

And offered … an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs. A poor offering, if it be compared, not alone with Solomon's ( 1 Kings 8:63 ), but even with Hezekiah's ( 2 Chronicles 30:24 ), or Josiah's ( 2 Chronicles 35:7 ). Hundreds now take the place of the thousands offered under the old monarchy. A sin offering for all Israel. See comment on Ezra 6:16 . We may assume that some of every tribe had returned with Zerubbabel, and that consequently it was possible to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 6:17

Compare with this modest sacrifice, which suits well “the day of small things” Zechariah 4:10, the lavish offering of Solomon (see the marginal reference “n”). read more

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