Ezra 8:16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:16

Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. These were all in the camp, in some part of it, to whom Ezra sent messengers to come unto him; three of them are of the same name; the first nine were men of chief note, rank, and dignity in their family, and the other two were noted for men of good sense, and that could... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:1-20

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:1-20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:1-20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:15-20

The halt at the Ahava. The journey of the children of Israel from Babylon to Jerusalem may be viewed, like that of their fathers from Egypt to Canaan, as a type of the pilgrimage of Christians from the abominations and miseries of the sinful world to the purity and happiness of heaven. In this view the halt at the "river that runneth to Ahava" may suggest— I. THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SEASONS FOR REELECTION . 1. The halt furnished Ezra with such a season. 2. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 8:15-31

DETAILS OF EZRA 'S JOURNEY FROM BABYLON TO JERUSALEM ( Ezra 8:15-31 ). We gather from scattered statements in this passage— 1. That Ezra, with his companions, after a journey of nine days' duration, reached Ahava from Babylon on the ninth day of the first month; 2. That he rested three days at Ahava, and proclaimed a fast; 3. That he was there joined by a small number of Levites and a considerable body of Nethinims from the immediate neighbourhood; 4. That,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 8:16

Ezra 8:16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c. To come to me, and go along with me to Jerusalem. He sent for these eleven persons, that he might employ them in a message to a place where he knew there were a great many Levites, as it follows in the next verse. Also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding Who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God and his house, and solemn worship, which was confined to Jerusalem. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 8:1-36

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 8:16

for. The Syriac and Vulgate omit the word "for" throughout this verse, and read "then sent I Eliezer", &c, as in Ezra 8:17 . chief men = heads. men of understanding. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun), App-6 = wise and prudent men, especially for teaching. read more

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