Ezra 1

Cores, (otherwise called Cyrus) king of Persia, caused by Gods instinct, liberty to be proclaimed for the Jews to return home to their own land out of the Babylonish captivity, and to build the Temple of God, vers.1, etc. with a charge to his subjects, to help and assist them in all things, and to give a free gift toward the building of the Temple, 4. Hereupon many of the people make themselves ready for the journey, and the subjects do to them according to the kings command, 5. Cores moreover causeth the holy vessels of the Temple to bebrought forth, which Nebuchadnezer had carried away, 7.

1. Now in the first year of Cores, [Hebr. Coresch. Otherwise commonly called Cyrus. See also of him, Isai.44.28. and 45.1, 13.] king of Persia, [Hebr. in the one year, etc. That is, in the first; to wit, of his reign at Babel, or of the Monarchy; for he had reigned before this in Persia above twenty years] that the word of the LORD, by the mouth of Jeremia, might be fulfilled, [see Jerem.25.12. and 29.1. where God expressly promiseth to deliver his people out of the captivity of Babel, when the same should have lasted seventy years, which were now just expired; according to the opinion of some, about the year of the Creation of the World, 34 34. For the captivity, according to their opinion began in the year 33 64.] the LORD stirred up [or, raised up, awakened] the spirit of Cores king of Persia, that he caused a voice [that is, proclamation, as Exod.36.6. See there annotations, and 2 Chron.36.22. and below chap.8.16, etc.] to go through all kingdom, even also in writing, saying:

2. Thus saith Cores, king of Persia; The LORD, the God of heaven, hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth: and he hath commanded me [Or, hath laid it upon me: to wit, by the word of his Prophets, (which was made known unto me) and by the stirring up of my spirit. See vers.1. and Isai.44.28. and 45.1,13. Others, hath commanded concerning me] to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Juda. [That is, in the land of Juda.]

3. Who is (there) among you of all his people? [That is, is there any one dwelling among you, that is of the people of God, being a Jew, or an Israelite? Compare Duet.20.on vers.5.] his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Juda: and let him build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; he is the God who (dwelleth) at Jerusalem. [That is, who hath chosen this place to be there present in a special manner, to make known his Name, and to be served according to his own prescript, and direction. Compare below chap.6.12. and 7.15. Others thus: (he is the God) which (to wit, house) is at Jerusalem. So vers.4,5.]

4. And who so ever shall tarry behind [Through want of means, or otherwise] in [Hebr. from, off] any places, where he sojourneth, the men of his place shall be helpful to him [Hebr. lift him up, raise him up] with silver, and with gold, and with substance, and with beasts: besides a free gift, for the house of God, that (dwelleth) at Jeusalem.

5. Then rose up the heads of the fathers, of Juda and Benjamin, [Under these are comprehended also those that likewise went up out other Tribes, 1 Chron.9.2,3, etc.] and the Priests and the Levites, besides every one, whose spirit God stirred up, to go up to build the house of the LORD, who (dwelleth) at Jerusalem.

6. Now all those that were round about them, strengthened their hands with silver vessels, with gold, with substance, and with beasts, and with costlinesses: [See Gen.24.on vers.54.] besides all that was freely and willingly given. [Compare vers.4.]

7. Also king Core brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezar had carried forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his God.

8. And Cores king of Persia brought them forth, by the hand of Mihredath the Treasurer, who numbered them unto Seshazar [He is held to be Zerubbabel, who was so named in Chaldea. See below chap.3.2. and 5.2,14. And 6.7.] the Prince of Juda.

9. And this is the number of them: thirty golden basins, a thousand silver basins, nine and twenty knives.

10. Thirty golden cups, four hundred and ten other [Or, thereon, to wit, following. Or, of the second sort, or, double; that is, overlaid] silver cups: other vessels a thousand. [That is, (as some expound it) they were told, and delivered by the thousand, or, by thousands, as being smaller, and of a less value. Compare Psalm 50.on vers.10. Some understand it of other great vessels, that were a thousand, and being added to other small vessels that are not named, did make up the following number.]

11. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred: all these did Sesbazar carry up, with them of the captivity, that were carried up from Babel to Jerusalem. [Hebr. with the being carried up of the captivity: that is, of them that were carried away captive out of the land of Jury.]