Ezra 1:6 - Exposition

All they that were about them. i.e. all their neighbours. Strengthened their hands. This is the literal rendering. The margin gives the right meaning—"helped them." With precious things. Migdanoth , a rare word, only used here, in Genesis 24:53 , and in 2 Chronicles 21:3 ; always connected with silver and gold: derived from meged , which means " precious. " Besides all that was willingly offered . The gold, silver, precious things, etc. previously mentioned were free gifts to individual Jews, and were additional to certain offerings which were intrusted to them for conveyance to Jerusalem. On the value attached by the Persians to offerings made in Jerusalem to Jehovah, see below, Ezra 6:10 , and Ezra 7:17 .