Ezra 8

Ezra 8:2

OF the sons of Phinchas] He begins with the two branches of the priestly office, and with the royall seed.

Hattush] 1 Chronicles 3:22.

Ezra 8:3

of the sons of Pharosh] Or, who was of the sons of Pharosh. Hereby is he distinguished from the other, Shechaniah, vers. 5.

Ezra 8:12

the son of Hakkatan] Or, the youngest son.

Ezra 8:13

the last sons of Adonikam] Who went up now with Ezra, and not before with Zerubbabel, chap. 2. 13. Or they were born of his youngest sons.

Ezra 8:14

Zabbud] Or, Zaccur, as some read.

Ezra 8:15

And I gathered them together] To that place of Euphrates, where Ahava the river entreth into it.

abede] Or, pitched.

Ezra 8:17

Iddo the chief] It seems he had commission from the kings of Persia, in that place, as in a colledge, to instruct the Levites in Gods law, and to breed them for Gods service.

I told them what they should say] Heb. I put words in their mouth.

Ezra 8:18

and Sherebiah] Or, even Sherebiah. So and for even. 1 Samuel 17:40. and 1 Samuel 28:3.

Ezra 8:20

Also of the Nethinims] See chap. 2. 43.

whom David and the princes had appointed] It is likely that he sought out those Gibeonites that neglected their service appointed, Joshua 9:21. and by his captains set them in order, and forced them to do it, when he ordered the Levites: for many of these Nethinims dwelt in Jerusalem. Compare 1 Chronicles 9:2. with chap. 25. and 26.

Ezra 8:21

Then I proclaimed a fast] Fasting and prayer is an excellent help in difficult cases.

that we might afflict our selves] He sheweth that the end of fasting is to humble men by abstinence from matters of delight, Leviticus 16:29. and Leviticus 23:29.

right] Or, safe. As Psalms 5:8.

Ezra 8:22

For I was ashamed, &c.] He thought it better to commit himself altogether to Gods protection, then to give the heathen king the least suspicion of his distrust of Gods protection, whose goodnesse and power he had proclaimed to the king before.

Ezra 8:24

Sherebiah] Or rather, with Sherebiah: For he and his brethren were no priests, but Levites. Compare vers. 14. with 18, 19. It seems vers. 30. that to these twelve Levites, were twelve priests joyned, though they be not named.

Ezra 8:25

even the offering of the house] To be carried to Jerusalem, for the service of Gods house.

Ezra 8:26

talents of silver] Chap. 7. 22.

Ezra 8:27

drams] Chap. 2. 69.

fine copper] Heb. yellow, or shining brasse. Heb. brasse, or copper, guilded over.

precious] Heb. desireable. To wit, because it pleased the eyes, for it glistered like gold. See Genesis 3:6. It could not be of equall price with gold.

Ezra 8:30

the weight of the silver] That is, the silver that was weighed, and not a note alone of the weight of it.

Ezra 8:31

of such as lay in wait by the way] This sheweth that their journey was full of danger, in regard of such as lay in ambush for them in the way, and yet God delivered them according to their prayer.

Ezra 8:33

by the hand] Or rather, into the hand, as vers. 26. For there is no mention of any other, to whom they were delivered.

Ezra 8:34

all the weight was written at that time] That their faithfull performance might appear upon record.