Ezra 7

Ezra 7:1

Artaxerxes] Longimanus.

Ezra] See the Observations touching him in the beginning of this his Book.

Ezra 7:3

Azariah] Six generations here omitted; 1 Chron. VI. ver. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. And three generations omitted between Jeroam and Pashur, 1 Chron. IX. 12. compared with Neh. XI. 12. And so three generations are omitted between Joram and Ozias, Matth. I. 8 And all done for brevity sake; conceiving those Omissions to be things evidently known, or not so material to be there inserted.

Ezra 7:6

King granted] Ezra’s extraordinary power and authority was from the Kings grant, and not otherwayes.

Ezra 7:7

went up] So backward were the Jewes in returning back to Judea after the Proclamation of Cyrus: yea, the Priests and Levites themselves. See Esther VIII. 8, 9.

Ezra 7:9

first] Four moneths in going.

Ezra 7:12

King of Kings] Ezek. XXVI. 7. Dan. II. 37. This whole Letter is in the Chaldean tongue.

Ezra 7:14

seven Counsellors] So Esther I. 14.

Ezra 7:15

freely offered] great zeale, and forwardnesse here; ver. 20—26. and 28. and chap. 8. 25, 26, 27. as was formerly in Darius, chap. VI. 11.

Ezra 7:16

canst finde] Grants him a free Collection, and what he can get and gather by it.

Ezra 7:24

not lawfull to impose] Artaxerxes gives Ezra the Priest a grant and power for an immunity of the Clergy; and for setting and appointing Civil Magistrates and Judges. See the Observations on 1 Chron. XXVI. 29.