These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them ,.... Which follows from hence to the end of Ezra 8:14 , that went up with me from Babylon ; with Ezra the priest and scribe, the writer of this book: in the reign of Artaxerxes the king ; that is, Darius Hystaspis, in the seventh year of his reign, see Ezra 7:1 , though many think Artaxerxes Longimanus is meant. read more
On the expression chief of the fathers see comment on Ezra 2:68 . read more
The rendezvous, or the second muster. We have been told twice before in this story that Ezra went up from Babylon to Jerusalem ( Ezra 7:6-8 , Ezra 7:9 ), and that he did not go by himself. But we only now enter upon the actual details of this second and supplementary expedition. Who were those that went up with him? And what was the nature of the first step which he and they took in common? We may answer these questions in the opposite order. The first step was to meet Ezra at the... read more
The Church preparing itself for duty. I. THAT IT IS PREPARED BY COMING OUT FROM A HUMILIATING CAPTIVITY . "This is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon" ( Ezra 8:1 ). Ezra and his comrades must quit the scene of their captivity before they can carry the sacred vessels to Jerusalem; the Church must arise and leave its moral Babylon before it can serve God in successful enterprise. II. THAT IT IS PREPARED BY PRAYERFUL SOLITUDE . "To... read more
Ezra 8:1. That went up with me from Babylon Multitudes of the Jews, who loved their ease better than their religion, thinking themselves well where they were, and either not believing that Jerusalem would better their condition, or being deterred by a prospect of the difficulties they might meet with on their journey, preferred staying in Babylon. Some, however, willingly offered themselves to go with Ezra, and the heads of their several families are here recorded for their honour, and the... read more
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
chief = heads: i.e. heads of houses. them that went up. Most of these names appear in Ezr 2 and Nehemiah 10:0 . The number is 1,496. If there were no women with them, this might be the cause of the "strange" marriages in Ezra 1:0 0 and Nehemiah 10:0 . Artaxerxes: i.e. Darius (Hystaspis). See App-57 and App-58 . read more
FURTHER DETAILS OF EZRA'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM;THE LIST OF FAMILIES; CHIEF MEN; WITH THE NUMBERS OF RETURNEES"Now these are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king: of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom. Of the sons of lthamar, Daniel, Of the sons of David, Hattush. Of the sons of Shecaniah, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah; and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty. Of... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 8:1-20
Ezra, having received his commission from the king, beats up for volunteers, as it were, sets up an ensign to assemble the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah, Isa. 11:12. ?Whoever of the sons of Sion, that swell with the daughters of Babylon, is disposed to go to Jerusalem, now that the temple there is finished and the temple-service set a-going, now is their time.? Now one would think that under such a leader, with such encouragements, all the Jews should at length have shaken... read more