Bible Commentaries
Ezra 8

Introduction

Overview

Ezra 8:1, The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon; Ezra 8:15, He sends to Iddo for ministers for the temple; Ezra 8:21, He keeps a fast; Ezra 8:24, He commits the treasures to the custody of the priests; Ezra 8:31, From Ahava they come to Jerusalem; Ezra 8:33, The treasure is weighed in the temple; Ezra 8:36, The commission is delivered.

Verse 1

the chief: Ezra 1:5, 1 Chronicles 9:34, 1 Chronicles 24:31, 1 Chronicles 26:32, 2 Chronicles 26:12, Nehemiah 7:70, Nehemiah 7:71

genealogy: Ezra 2:62, 1 Chronicles 4:33, 1 Chronicles 9:1

them that went up: Ezra 7:7, Ezra 7:13

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - chief men Nehemiah 12:36 - Ezra Psalms 147:2 - he

Verse 2

Phinehas: 1 Chronicles 6:3, 1 Chronicles 6:4-15, 1 Chronicles 24:1-6

David: 1 Chronicles 3:1, 1 Chronicles 3:22

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:15 - and found

Verse 3

Pharosh: This variation is attributable to the translators; the original being uniformly Parosh. Ezra 2:3, Nehemiah 7:8, Nehemiah 10:14, Parosh

Verse 4

Pahathmoab: Ezra 2:6, Nehemiah 7:11, Nehemiah 10:14

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:30 - Pahathmoab Nehemiah 3:11 - Pahathmoab

Verse 6

Adin: Ezra 2:15, Nehemiah 7:20, Nehemiah 10:16

Verse 7

Elam: Ezra 2:7, Ezra 2:31, Nehemiah 7:12, Nehemiah 7:34

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:26 - Elam

Verse 8

Shephatiah: Ezra 2:4, Nehemiah 7:9, Nehemiah 11:4

Verse 9

Joab: Ezra 2:6, Nehemiah 7:11

Verse 11

Bebai: Ezra 2:11, Ezra 10:28, Nehemiah 7:16

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Zechariah Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad

Verse 12

Azgad: Ezra 2:12, Nehemiah 7:17

the son of Hakkatan: or, the youngest son

Reciprocal: Judges 2:11 - did evil Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad

Verse 13

Adonikam: Ezra 2:13, Nehemiah 7:18

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Shemaiah

Verse 14

Bigvai: Ezra 2:14, Nehemiah 7:19

Zabbud: or, Zaccur, as some read, Nehemiah 10:12

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:16 - Bigvai

Verse 15

the river that runneth: Ahava is supposed to be the river Adiava, which, with the Diava, is said by Ammianus to have given name to Adiabene, a province of Assyria, through which they flowed into the Tigris. These rivers were also called respectively, Anzabas and Zabas, the Caprus and Lycus of Ptolemy; the former of which he places, at its source, in long. 79 degrees, lat. 39+ degrees, and at its junction with the Tigris, in long. 79+ degrees, lat. 36 degrees 6 minutes; and the latter, at its source, in long 78 degrees, lat. 39 degrees; and where it falls into the Tigris, in long. 79 degrees, lat. 36+ degrees. They are now called the Great and Little Zab, or the Zabein, i.e., the two Zabs, which, says Ibn Haukal, "are considerable streams, each about half as large as the Dejleh - or Tigris. They rise among the mountains of Azerbaijan: of these, the larger is that which runs towards Haditheh. These streams form part of the Tigris, and water the district of Semerah." Psalms 137:1, Ezekiel 1:1, Ezekiel 3:15, Acts 16:13

Ahava: Ezra 8:21, Ezra 8:31

abode: Heb. pitched

and found: Ezra 8:2, Ezra 7:7, Ezra 7:24

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:27 - out Jeremiah 31:6 - Arise

Verse 16

Shemaiah: Ezra 8:13, Ezra 10:21

Nathan: Ezra 10:39

Zechariah: Ezra 8:11

chief men: Ezra 8:1

men of understanding: Ezra 8:18, 1 Kings 3:11, 1 Chronicles 12:32, 1 Chronicles 26:14, 2 Chronicles 2:12, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 20:5, Proverbs 28:2, Daniel 2:21, 2 Timothy 2:7, 1 John 5:20

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:10 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 11:10 - Jedaiah

Verse 17

Casiphia: Casiphia is supposed to denote the Caspian mountains, between Media and Hyrcania, near the Caspian Sea. It is evident, from a comparison of Ezra 7:9, with Ezra 8:31, that Casiphia could not be far from Ahava.

I told them: Heb. I put words in their mouth, Exodus 4:15, Deuteronomy 18:18, 2 Samuel 14:3, 2 Samuel 14:19, Jeremiah 1:9, Jeremiah 15:19

the Nethinims: Ezra 2:43, Ezra 2:58, Ezra 7:7

ministers: Numbers 8:22-26, Numbers 18:6, 1 Chronicles 23:3-6, 1 Chronicles 23:26-32, Titus 1:5

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:20 - Nethinims

Verse 18

by the good hand: Ezra 8:22, Ezra 7:28, Nehemiah 2:8, Proverbs 3:6

a man of understanding: Ezra 8:16, Proverbs 24:3, Jeremiah 3:15, Daniel 1:20, 1 Corinthians 14:20

Mahli: Numbers 3:20, 1 Chronicles 6:19

Sherebiah: Ezra 8:24, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 9:4, Nehemiah 9:5, Nehemiah 10:12, Nehemiah 12:24

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:6 - according to Isaiah 66:14 - the hand Acts 11:21 - the hand

Verse 19

Hashabiah: Nehemiah 3:17, Nehemiah 10:11

Merari: 1 Chronicles 6:1, 1 Chronicles 6:16, 1 Chronicles 6:19

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:24 - Sherebiah Nehemiah 11:22 - Hashabiah

Verse 20

Nethinims: Ezra 8:17, Ezra 2:43, Ezra 7:7, 1 Chronicles 9:2

all of them: Philippians 4:3

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:27 - made them 1 Chronicles 16:41 - expressed

Verse 21

I proclaimed: Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Joel 1:14, Joel 2:12-18, Jonah 3:5

afflict ourselves: Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 16:31, Leviticus 23:29, Isaiah 58:3, Isaiah 58:5, Jeremiah 31:8, Jeremiah 31:9, Jeremiah 50:4, Jeremiah 50:5

to seek: Psalms 5:8, Psalms 107:2-8, Psalms 143:8-10, Proverbs 3:6, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 35:8, Isaiah 42:16, Isaiah 49:10, Jeremiah 10:23

for our little ones: Numbers 14:3, Numbers 14:31, Psalms 8:2, Mark 10:13-16, Acts 2:39

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:42 - prosper Genesis 24:48 - led me Genesis 43:8 - also our Leviticus 23:27 - afflict Numbers 29:7 - afflict Numbers 30:13 - to afflict Joshua 9:14 - asked not Ezra 3:3 - for fear Ezra 8:15 - Ahava Ezra 8:31 - the river of Ahava Psalms 107:7 - he led Psalms 121:8 - thy going out Psalms 137:1 - the rivers Jeremiah 42:3 - General Daniel 9:3 - with Jonah 3:7 - caused 1 Thessalonians 3:11 - our way

Verse 22

I was ashamed: 1 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 7:14

The hand: Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:9, Ezra 7:28, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 33:19, Psalms 34:15, Psalms 34:22, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 3:11, Lamentations 3:25, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 3:12

his power and his wrath: Joshua 23:16, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 21:8, Psalms 21:9, Psalms 34:16, Psalms 90:11, Zephaniah 1:2-6, Hebrews 10:38, 1 Peter 3:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:20 - he will turn Ezra 3:3 - for fear Ezra 5:5 - But the eye Ezra 8:18 - by the good hand Ezra 8:30 - the house of our God Ezra 8:31 - the hand Nehemiah 2:7 - that they may Nehemiah 2:9 - Now the Proverbs 3:6 - In Isaiah 44:8 - ye are Isaiah 45:19 - Seek Isaiah 66:14 - the hand

Verse 23

we fasted: Nehemiah 9:1, Esther 4:16, Daniel 9:3, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30

besought: Jeremiah 29:12, Jeremiah 29:13, Jeremiah 33:3, Jeremiah 50:4, Jeremiah 50:5

and he was entreated: Ezra 8:31, Deuteronomy 4:29, 1 Chronicles 5:20, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13, Psalms 66:18-20, Isaiah 19:22, Jeremiah 29:12, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:21 - and the Proverbs 3:6 - In Acts 8:24 - Pray

Verse 24

Sherebiah: Ezra 8:18, Ezra 8:19

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:8 - General Nehemiah 10:11 - Hashabiah Ezekiel 44:8 - charge John 12:6 - the bag

Verse 25

weighed: Ezra 8:33, Ezra 1:8, 2 Corinthians 8:20, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Philippians 4:8

the silver: Ezra 7:15, Ezra 7:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:16 - weighed Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Numbers 7:13 - charger Numbers 7:85 - two thousand 2 Kings 12:4 - and all the money 1 Chronicles 9:28 - the charge 1 Chronicles 28:13 - the vessels 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes Ezra 1:6 - strengthened their hands Ezra 2:69 - the treasure Isaiah 52:11 - be

Verse 26

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:21 - by the hand Numbers 7:85 - two thousand Ezra 8:33 - weighed Zechariah 6:10 - which

Verse 27

fine copper: Heb. yellow, or shining brass, The Syriac renders, nechosho korinthyo tovo, "good Corinthian brass;" so called from the brass found after the burning of Corinth by Lucius Mummius, which was, as is generally supposed, brass, copper, silver, and gold, melted together. Sir J. Chardin, however, in a manuscript note, cited by Harmer, mentioned a factitious metal used in the East, and highly esteemed there, which might probably be of an origin as ancient as Ezra. He says, "I have heard some Dutch gentlemen speak of a metal in the island of Sumatra, and among the Macassars, much more esteemed than gold, which royal personages alone are privileged to wear. It is a mixture, if I remember right, of gold and steel, or copper and steel." He afterwards added, "calmbac is the name of this metal, which is composed of gold and copper."

precious: Heb. desirable, Lamentations 4:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:6 - pleasant Ezra 7:19 - The vessels

Verse 28

Ye are holy: Leviticus 21:6-8, Deuteronomy 33:8, Isaiah 52:11

the vessels: Ezra 1:7-11, Leviticus 22:2, Leviticus 22:3, Numbers 4:4-15, Numbers 4:19, Numbers 4:20, Numbers 7:13, Numbers 7:84-88, 1 Kings 7:48-51, 1 Chronicles 23:28, 2 Chronicles 24:14

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:25 - the charge Zechariah 7:2 - they

Verse 29

Watch ye: 1 Chronicles 26:20-26, Mark 13:34, Mark 13:35, Acts 20:31, 2 Timothy 4:5

until ye weigh them before: Ezra 8:33, Ezra 8:34

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 23:28 - for the service Jeremiah 35:2 - into one Ezekiel 40:7 - General

Verse 30

the house of our God: Ezra 8:22, 1 Chronicles 29:2, 1 Chronicles 29:3, Psalms 122:9, Isaiah 60:13

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:33 - weighed

Verse 31

the river of Ahava: Ezra 8:15, Ezra 8:21

the hand: Ezra 8:22, Ezra 7:9, Ezra 7:28, Job 5:19-24, Psalms 91:9-14, Isaiah 41:10-14, Acts 25:3, Acts 26:22

and he delivered: Ezra and his company had now entered upon a journey of several hundred miles through the desert, which they were nearly four months in completing, encumbered with families and possessions, and carrying large treasures with them, which would invite the attempts of the Arabian hordes, and others, that infested that neighbourhood; yet, having declared to the king, "that the hand of God was upon all them for good that seek him, and that his power and wrath were against all them that forsook him," - Ezra 8:22, he determined to travel without a guard, except that of the Almighty, being ashamed to ask any other, after his former avowed confidence in Him! Having, therefore, humbled themselves before the Lord, and besought his guidance and protection, he was intreated by them, their enemies were restrained or disabled, and they arrived unmolested at Jerusalem.

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:6 - according to Ezra 8:17 - Casiphia Ezra 8:23 - and he was entreated Psalms 121:8 - thy going out Psalms 137:1 - the rivers Isaiah 66:14 - the hand Hosea 6:9 - as troops Acts 20:3 - the Jews

Verse 32

Ezra 7:8, Ezra 7:9, Nehemiah 2:11

Verse 33

weighed: Ezra 8:26, Ezra 8:30, 1 Chronicles 28:14-18, 2 Corinthians 8:20, 2 Corinthians 8:21

Meremoth: Nehemiah 10:5

Uriah: Nehemiah 3:4, Urijah

Jozabad: Nehemiah 8:7

Binnui: Nehemiah 10:9

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt 1 Chronicles 6:50 - Eleazar 1 Chronicles 28:13 - the vessels Ezra 1:6 - strengthened their hands Ezra 7:19 - The vessels Ezra 8:25 - weighed Ezra 8:29 - until ye weigh them before Ezra 10:23 - Jozabad

Verse 34

Reciprocal: Numbers 1:50 - thou shalt Ezra 7:19 - The vessels Ezra 8:29 - until ye weigh them before

Verse 35

offered burnt: Leviticus 1:1 - Leviticus 7:38, 2 Chronicles 29:31, 2 Chronicles 29:32, Psalms 66:10-15, Psalms 116:12-19, Luke 1:74, Luke 1:75

twelve bullocks: Ezra 6:17, Numbers 7:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - it is a Leviticus 4:3 - for a sin Leviticus 4:21 - a sin offering Numbers 15:24 - one kid 2 Chronicles 29:21 - seven Acts 26:7 - our

Verse 36

the king's commissions: Ezra 7:21-24

lieutenants: Ezra 4:7-23, Ezra 5:6-17

they furthered: Ezra 6:13, Isaiah 56:6, Isaiah 56:7, Acts 18:27, Revelation 12:16

Reciprocal: Esther 9:3 - the rulers