Bible Commentaries
Ezra 7

Introduction

Overview

Ezra 7:1, Ezra goes up to Jerusalem; Ezra 7:11, The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra; Ezra 7:27, Ezra blesses God for this favour.

Verse 1

am 3547, bc 457

Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:21, Ezra 6:14, Nehemiah 2:1

Ezra: Ezra 7:10, Ezra 8:1 - Ezra 10:44, Nehemiah 8:2-9

Seraiah: 2 Kings 25:18, 1 Chronicles 6:4-14, 1 Chronicles 9:11, Nehemiah 11:11, Jeremiah 52:24-27

Hilkiah: 2 Kings 22:4, 2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 34:9, 2 Chronicles 34:15

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:14 - Seraiah 1 Chronicles 6:50 - Eleazar 2 Chronicles 17:8 - priests Nehemiah 12:36 - Ezra Daniel 9:25 - from

Verse 2

Zadok: 2 Samuel 8:17, 1 Kings 2:35

Verse 3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:7 - Amariah 1 Chronicles 6:11 - Amariah

Verse 4

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:6 - Zerahiah

Verse 5

Phinehas: Exodus 6:25, Numbers 25:7-13, Numbers 31:6, Joshua 22:13, Joshua 22:31, Judges 20:28, 1 Chronicles 6:4, 1 Chronicles 6:50-52, Psalms 106:30, Psalms 106:31

Eleazar: Leviticus 10:6, Leviticus 10:12, Leviticus 10:16, Numbers 3:32, Numbers 20:25-28, Numbers 27:2, Numbers 31:31, Numbers 31:54, Joshua 14:1, Joshua 24:33, 1 Chronicles 24:1-6

chief priest: 2 Chronicles 19:11, 2 Chronicles 26:20, Hebrews 5:4

Verse 6

a ready: Sopher mahir does not merely signify a speedy writer, or an excellent penman, but one eminently skilful in expounding the law, sophro chochmo, "a wise scribe," as the Syriac renders. Ezra 7:11, Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:21, Psalms 45:1, Matthew 13:52

scribe: Nehemiah 8:4, Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 8:13, Nehemiah 12:26, Nehemiah 12:36, Jeremiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 1:20

the law: Deuteronomy 4:5, Deuteronomy 28:1, Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:2

granted him: Ezra 7:11-26

according to: Ezra 7:9, Ezra 7:28, Ezra 6:22, Ezra 8:18, Ezra 8:22, Ezra 8:31, Genesis 32:28, Nehemiah 1:10, Nehemiah 1:11, Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah 2:12, Nehemiah 2:18, Nehemiah 4:15, Proverbs 3:6, Isaiah 50:2, Isaiah 59:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them 1 Chronicles 2:55 - the scribes 1 Chronicles 24:6 - the scribe 2 Chronicles 34:13 - scribes Ezra 5:5 - But the eye Ezra 7:10 - the law Ezra 9:9 - in the sight Nehemiah 1:7 - which thou Esther 2:9 - she obtained Proverbs 22:11 - the king Jeremiah 40:5 - or go Matthew 2:4 - scribes Matthew 8:19 - certain Acts 18:24 - mighty

Verse 7

the children: Ezra 8:1-14

the Levites: Ezra 2:40, Ezra 2:41, Ezra 8:15-20

singers: 1 Chronicles 6:31-48, 1 Chronicles 25:1-8

porters: Ezra 2:42, 1 Chronicles 9:17-27, Nehemiah 7:45

Nethinims: Ezra 7:24, Ezra 2:43-70, Ezra 8:20, Nehemiah 7:46-73, Nehemiah 10:28

Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:11, Ezra 7:12, Ezra 6:14, Ezra 8:1, Nehemiah 2:1

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:1 - General 1 Chronicles 23:5 - porters 2 Chronicles 34:13 - porters Ezra 2:58 - Nethinims Ezra 8:17 - the Nethinims

Verse 8

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:32 - General Ezra 9:9 - in the sight Ezra 10:9 - the ninth month Esther 2:16 - the seventh Daniel 9:25 - from

Verse 9

began he to go up: Heb. was the foundation of the going up, according to. Ezra 7:6, Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah 2:18

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:1 - the adversaries Ezra 7:28 - as the hand Ezra 8:17 - Casiphia Ezra 8:22 - The hand Ezra 8:31 - the hand Ezra 8:32 - General Ezra 10:9 - the ninth month Isaiah 66:14 - the hand Jeremiah 27:22 - then Daniel 9:24 - Seventy weeks Acts 11:21 - the hand

Verse 10

prepared: 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Chronicles 29:18, 2 Chronicles 12:14, 2 Chronicles 19:3, Job 11:13, Psalms 10:17, Psalms 57:7

the law: Ezra 7:6, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 119:45, Psalms 119:96-100

to do it: Deuteronomy 16:12, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 7:24, John 13:17, Revelation 22:14

and to teach: Ezra 7:25, Deuteronomy 33:10, 2 Chronicles 17:8, 2 Chronicles 17:9, 2 Chronicles 30:22, Nehemiah 8:1-9, Malachi 2:7, Acts 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:1, Titus 2:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:12 - that thou Exodus 35:34 - he hath 2 Chronicles 30:19 - prepareth 2 Chronicles 34:14 - the law Ezra 7:1 - Ezra Ezra 7:21 - Ezra the priest Matthew 13:52 - scribe 2 Timothy 2:2 - who Hebrews 5:12 - teachers

Verse 11

the copy: Ezra 4:11, Ezra 5:6

a scribe: Ezra 7:6, Matthew 23:2, Matthew 23:13, Mark 7:1-13

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:7 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21 - Ezra the priest Nehemiah 8:1 - Ezra Nehemiah 8:9 - Ezra Nehemiah 12:26 - Nehemiah Isaiah 49:23 - kings Daniel 9:25 - from Matthew 2:4 - scribes

Verse 12

Artaxerxes: The title of the king would, in Persian, run thus: Ardsheer shahinshah, or padshah, "Ardsheer, king of kings," i.e., great or supreme king or emperor. 1 Kings 4:24, 1 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 10:8, Ezekiel 26:7, Daniel 2:37, Daniel 2:47, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16

unto Ezra: etc. or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc. and at such a time. Ezra 4:10, Ezra 4:11, Ezra 4:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:28 - the king of Assyria Ezra 7:1 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:6 - a ready Ezra 7:7 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21 - Artaxerxes Isaiah 13:3 - them that Isaiah 60:10 - their kings Daniel 6:26 - make Jonah 1:9 - the God Matthew 2:4 - scribes Acts 18:24 - mighty Revelation 16:11 - the God

Verse 13

I make: Ezra 5:13, Ezra 6:1, 2 Chronicles 30:5, Esther 3:15, Esther 9:14, Psalms 148:6

minded: Ezra 1:3, Psalms 110:3, Philippians 2:13, Revelation 22:17

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 36:23 - Who is there Ezra 7:21 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:23 - Whatsoever is commanded Ezra 8:1 - them that went up Psalms 68:29 - shall Daniel 6:26 - make Jonah 1:9 - the God

Verse 14

of the king: Chal, from before the king

seven counsellors: Seven princes of Persia having conspired against and slain the usurper Smerdis, and thus made way for the family of Darius, which afterwards filled the throne, the Persian kings of this race had always seven chief princes as their counsellors, who possessed peculiar privileges, were his chief assistants in the government, and by whose advice all the public affairs of the empire were transacted. The names of these counsellors are given in the parallel place of the book of Esther. Esther 1:14

according: Ezra 7:25, Ezra 7:26, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Isaiah 8:20

thy God: Ezra 1:3, Ezra 5:8, Ezra 6:12, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 6:20, Daniel 6:26

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:28 - his counsellors Esther 3:1 - above all the princes Zechariah 6:10 - which

Verse 15

the silver: Ezra 6:4, Ezra 6:8-10, Psalms 68:29, Psalms 68:30, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 76:11, Isaiah 60:6-9, Revelation 21:24-26

whose habitation: Ezra 6:12, 2 Chronicles 2:6, 2 Chronicles 6:2, 2 Chronicles 6:6, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 26:8, Psalms 76:2, Psalms 135:21

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 14:26 - bestow 1 Chronicles 29:5 - General 2 Chronicles 32:23 - gifts Ezra 1:6 - strengthened their hands Ezra 8:25 - the silver Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but Zechariah 7:2 - they

Verse 16

all the silver: Ezra 8:25-28

offering: Ezra 1:4, Ezra 1:6, 1 Chronicles 29:6, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:17, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:2 - willingly 2 Kings 12:4 - and all the money 1 Chronicles 29:5 - General 2 Chronicles 31:14 - the freewill 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes

Verse 17

buy speedily: Ezra 6:9, Ezra 6:10, Deuteronomy 14:24-26, Matthew 21:12, Matthew 21:13, John 2:14

their meat offerings: Numbers 15:4-13

offer them: Deuteronomy 12:5-11

Reciprocal: Isaiah 16:1 - the lamb

Verse 18

whatsoever: 2 Kings 12:15, 2 Kings 22:7

that do: Ezra 7:26, Ephesians 5:17

after the will: He gave them the fullest liberty to order every thing according to their own institutions; binding them to no form or mode of worship.

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:23 - Whatsoever is commanded

Verse 19

The vessels: Ezra 8:27-30, Ezra 8:33, Ezra 8:34

the God of Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 32:19, Jeremiah 3:17

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 27:22 - then

Verse 20

bestow it: Ezra 6:4, Ezra 6:8-18

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:31 - General Nehemiah 11:23 - the king's Nehemiah 13:14 - house

Verse 21

Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:13

beyond the river: Ezra 4:16, Ezra 4:20, Ezra 6:6

Ezra the priest: Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:10, Ezra 7:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:31 - General Judges 5:3 - even I Ezra 5:3 - Tatnai Ezra 8:36 - the king's commissions Nehemiah 2:7 - let letters Daniel 3:3 - the treasurers Matthew 13:52 - scribe Revelation 16:11 - the God

Verse 22

measures: Chal, cors, Luke 16:7, *marg.

baths of wine: Ezekiel 45:14, Luke 16:6, *marg.

salt: Leviticus 2:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 14:26 - bestow 2 Chronicles 2:10 - baths of wine

Verse 23

Whatsoever is commanded: Chal, Whatsoever is of the decree, Ezra 7:13, Ezra 7:18

let it be: Psalms 119:4

why should there be wrath: As Artaxerxes believed he was appointed by the Almighty to do this work, he therefore wished to do it heartily; knowing that if he did not, God would be displeased, and that the kingdom would be cut off from him or his posterity. Ezra 6:10-12, Zechariah 12:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:3 - lest he Ezra 5:8 - the great God Ezra 10:4 - for this matter Jeremiah 29:7 - pray Daniel 3:28 - Blessed Revelation 16:11 - the God

Verse 24

touching any: Ezra 7:7, Ezra 2:36-55

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:22 - for the priests 1 Samuel 17:25 - free in Israel 1 Chronicles 9:33 - the singers 1 Chronicles 15:16 - And David Ezra 4:13 - toll Ezra 8:15 - and found Nehemiah 9:37 - it yieldeth Nehemiah 13:14 - house Matthew 22:17 - is

Verse 25

the wisdom: Ezra 7:14, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Chronicles 22:12, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 119:98-100, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 6:23, James 1:5, James 3:17, James 3:18

set magistrates: Exodus 18:21-25, Deuteronomy 16:18, 1 Chronicles 23:4, 2 Chronicles 19:8-10

beyond the river: That is, "west of the Euphrates," which was beyond with regard to the king of Persia, who was on the east. Ezra 6:6

teach ye: Ezra 7:10, 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 8:8, Nehemiah 9:3, Nehemiah 13:1-3, Malachi 2:7, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 23:2, Matthew 23:3, Mark 6:34, Romans 10:14-17

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:22 - taught Jeremiah 30:21 - nobles Romans 7:1 - them that 2 Timothy 2:2 - who Hebrews 8:11 - Know the 2 Peter 3:15 - according

Verse 26

whosoever: Ezra 6:11, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 3:29, Daniel 6:26

the law of thy God: 2 Chronicles 30:12

whether it be: Exodus 21:1 - Exodus 22:31, Leviticus 20:1-27, Deuteronomy 13:1-18

banishment: Chal, rooting out, Psalms 52:5

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:14 - according Ezra 7:18 - that do Ezra 10:8 - And that whosoever Nehemiah 13:21 - I will lay Nehemiah 13:25 - smote Jeremiah 30:21 - nobles

Verse 27

Blessed: There is a most amiable spirit of piety in these reflections. Instead of expatiating on the praises of his munificent patron, or boasting of his own services, he blesses God for "putting such a thing in the king's heart;" and for all the assistance and favour shown him by the king and his counsellors. Ezra 6:22, 1 Chronicles 29:10-30, Philippians 4:10

put such: Ezra 6:22, Nehemiah 2:12, Nehemiah 7:5, 2 Corinthians 8:16, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16, James 1:17, Revelation 17:17

in the king's heart: Nehemiah 2:8, Proverbs 21:1

to beautify: Isaiah 60:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:14 - And God Exodus 35:21 - General Exodus 35:34 - he hath 1 Samuel 25:32 - General 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them 2 Chronicles 18:31 - God moved them 2 Chronicles 30:12 - the hand of God 2 Chronicles 31:8 - blessed 2 Chronicles 32:23 - gifts 2 Chronicles 33:13 - brought him Ezra 1:1 - the Lord Ezra 4:7 - the Syrian tongue Ezra 5:14 - the king Nehemiah 1:11 - grant Nehemiah 13:14 - house Psalms 96:9 - in the beauty of holiness Psalms 102:14 - General Psalms 126:3 - General Proverbs 3:6 - In Proverbs 16:1 - preparations Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Jeremiah 40:5 - or go Daniel 1:9 - General Haggai 1:14 - stirred Matthew 21:3 - straightway Luke 6:38 - and it Luke 7:5 - and John 13:2 - put Acts 5:30 - God Acts 7:23 - it came Acts 22:14 - The God Acts 28:10 - laded Romans 6:17 - But Philippians 2:13 - to will

Verse 28

extended: Ezra 9:9, Genesis 32:28, Genesis 43:14, Nehemiah 1:11

his counsellors: Ezra 7:14, Jonah 3:7

And I was strengthened: In what the king decreed he saw the hand of God: he therefore gave Him the praise, and took courage.

as the hand: Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:9, Ezra 5:5, Ezra 8:18, Nehemiah 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:18

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them Ezra 8:22 - The hand Ezra 8:31 - the hand Psalms 126:3 - General Proverbs 21:1 - The king's Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Daniel 1:9 - General Haggai 1:14 - stirred Luke 6:38 - and it Luke 7:5 - and