Ezra 7-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7

Ezra's precious name saluted us, at first, in the title of the book, but in the history we have not met with it till this chapter introduces him into public action in another reign, that of Artaxerxes. Zerubbabel and Jeshua we will suppose, by this time, to have grown old, if not gone off; nor do we hear any more of Haggai and Zechariah; they have finished their testimony. What shall become of the cause of God and Israel when these useful instruments are laid aside? Trust God, who has the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:1-10

Here is, I. Ezra's pedigree. He was one of the sons of Aaron, a priest. Him God chose to be an instrument of good to Israel, that he might put honour upon the priesthood, the glory of which had been much eclipsed by the captivity. He is said to be the son of Seraiah, that Seraiah, as is supposed, whom the king of Babylon put to death when he sacked Jerusalem, 2 Kgs. 25:18, 21. If we take the shortest computation, it was seventy-five years since Seraiah died; many reckon it much longer, and,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:11-26

We have here the commission which the Persian emperor granted to Ezra, giving him authority to act for the good of the Jews; and it is very ample and full, and beyond what could have been expected. The commission runs, we suppose, in the usual form: Artaxerxes, King of kings. This however is too high a title for any mortal man to assume; he was indeed king of some kings, but to speak as if he were king of all kings was to usurp his prerogative who hath all power both in heaven and in earth. He... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 7:27-28

Ezra cannot proceed in his story without inserting his thankful acknowledgement of the goodness of God to him and his people in this matter. As soon as he has concluded the king's commission, instead of subjoining, God save the king (though that would have been proper enough), he adds, Blessed be the Lord; for we must in every thing give thanks, and, whatever occurrences please us, we must own God's hand in them, and praise his name. Two things Ezra blessed God for:?1. For his commission. We... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 7 In this chapter we have the lineage and character of Ezra described, Ezra 7:1 , his expedition to Jerusalem, and of many others with him, Ezra 7:7 , a copy of the commission King Artaxerxes gave him to execute, Ezra 7:11 , and his thankfulness, Ezra 7:27 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:1-5

Now after these things ,.... The finishing of the temple, and the dedication of it, and keeping the passover: in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia ; in the seventh year of his reign, Ezra 7:7 , who is the same with Darius in the preceding chapter; so Jarchi and Aben Ezra; See Gill on Ezra 6:14 . Ezra the son of Seraiah ; the high priest slain by Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 52:24 , this Ezra was a younger son of his, brother to Josedech, and uncle to Joshua, who were high... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:6

This Ezra went up from Babylon ,.... A second time; for that he went up with Zerubbabel is clear from Nehemiah 12:1 , and is plainly intimated, Ezra 5:4 , and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given ; the meaning is, not that he had a quick hand in writing out copies of it, but was well versed in the knowledge of it; had studied it thoroughly, well instructed in it, and was abundantly qualified to teach it others; he was an eminent doctor of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:7

And there went up some of the children of Israel ,.... Perhaps some of the ten tribes, as well as others of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; who, notwithstanding the edict of Cyrus, chose to remain in Babylon, and in the countries of it, until they saw how things would go in Judea; and hearing that the temple was finished, and that those that had returned had built them houses in their several cities, and prospered, thought fit to return also: and of the priests, and the Levites, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:8

And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month ,.... With the above company; this was the month Abib, answering to part of July and part of August: which was in the seventh year of the king; as in the preceding verse. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 7:9

For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon ,.... The month Nisan, answering to part of March and part of April; this was New Year's day: and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem ; the first of the month Ab, as in the preceding verse; so that he was just four months on his journey: according to the good hand of his God upon him ; his power and providence, which gave him and his company health and strength, supplied them with everything... read more

Group of Brands