Ezra 7

Ezra 7:1

ARtaxerxes] There were divers kings of this name among the Persians. This was Artaxerxes Memor, who succeded Darius Nothus, as some think: or as others suppose Artaxerxes Longimanus, who succeeded Darius Hystaspis.

Ezra the son of Seraiah] This Ezra was brother to Jehozada the high priest that went into captivity, 1 Chronicles 6:14. and uncle to Jehoshua that returned with Zerubbabel, Ezra 3. vers. 2.

Ezra 7:3

the son of Meraioth] Here six of Ezra’s predecessours are omitted for brevity sake. See 1 Chro. 6. See the like Matthew 1:8.

Ezra 7:5

the son of Aaron the chief priest] Here Ezra reckoneth up his genealogy, till he come up to Aaron, to prove that he came of him.

Ezra 7:6

was a ready scribe] He sheweth here what is a scribe: One who had charge to write the law, and to expound it. He whom Mark calleth a scribe, Mark 12:28. is by Matthew and Luke, called a lawyer, or doctor of the law, Matthew 22:35. Luke 10:25.

Ezra 7:8

in the fifth moneth] Which containeth part of July, and part of August.

Ezra 7:9

began he to go up] Heb. was the foundation of the going up.

Ezra 7:10

to do it, and to teach] They are the best teachers, that do first themselves, and then teach others to do, Acts 1:1.

Ezra 7:12

Ʋnto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace] Or, To Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, &c.

Ezra 7:13

which are minded of their own free will to go up to Jerusalem] Which remaineth as yet in Babylon, and went not up with Zerubbabel.

Ezra 7:14

of the king] Chald, from before the king.

his seven counsellours] Esther 1:14.

to enquire] To examine who liveth not according to Gods law, and to punish him.

which is in thine hand] Wherein thou art expert.

Ezra 7:16

And all the silver and gold] Chap. 8. 25.

that thou canst finde in all the province of Babylon] Which any of my subjects will give, after my example. He gives him leave to make a generall collection for Gods service.

of the people] The people of Israel, as chap. 8. 25.

Ezra 7:18

and to thy brethren] The priests whose counsell thou shalt please to use.

Ezra 7:19

before the God of Jerusalem] Or, before God at Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:21

beyond the river] Which was the river Euphrates; and they were beyond it, in respect of Babylon, chap. 4. 10.

Ezra 7:22

an hundred talents of silver] A talent of silver is three thousand shekels, as appears, Exod. 38. 25, 26. where six hundred thousand men, at half a shekel apiece, are valued at an hundred talents. The shekel being two shillings and six pence of our money, three hundred shekels make three hundred seventy and five pounds; which, multiplied by an hundred, is thirty seven thousand and five hundred pounds. See 1 Chron. 22. 14.

an hundred measures of wheat] Chald. cors. A cor is a measure for dry things, containing ten epha’s. An epha was about a bushel of our measure; so that a cor makes ten bushels: then an hundred cors is a thousand bushels.

an hundred baths of wine] A bath was a measure for liquid things, containing as much as an epha did of dry things. Every bath then was eight gallons; which, being multiplied by an hundred, make eight hundred gallons, 1 Kings 7:26. and 1 Kings 3:22.

Ezra 7:23

Whatsoever is commanded] Heb. Whatsoever is of the decree. for why should there be wrath] This declareth, that the fear of Gods judgements caused him to use this liberality: also it sheweth, that this heathen king knew, That the hinderance of Gods service was a means to bring Gods wrath on him and his. See Notes on chap. 10. 6.

Ezra 7:24

it shall not be lawfull] Chald. none hath power. That is, I do not permit any, how great soever, to do it.

Ezra 7:25

of thy God] Which thy God hath given thee: or, of divine matters.

in thine hand] See notes on v. 14.

set magistrates and judges] He gave Ezra full authority to restore all things according to the word of God, and to punish them that resisted, and would not obey.

Ezra 7:26

to banishment] Banishment in the Chaldee is called rooting out. A man is planted in his native soil, as in a garden; and banishment plucks him up out of it, as it were by the roots.

Ezra 7:27

Blessed be the Lord] Thus Ezra gave God thanks for that he gave him so good successe in his affairs for the churches good, by the kings favour.

Ezra 7:28

as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me] Heb. according to the hand of the Lord my God upon me; as verse 6. of this chapter, and chapter 8. verse 18. Or, which was upon me. He notes the cause of his great strength that encouraged him to go on stoutly in the work, till he finished it: Not the degree of it, as if sometimes he went more earnestly about it, sometimes more slowly.