Ezra 2

names: one of their own country, which was domestic; another of the Chaldeans, which was used at court (Dan. i. 7.) Nehemiah had two names: and this of Sheshbazzar seems to have been a good omen of their flourishing condition; being compounded of two words, signifying fine linen and gold. On the contrary, Zerubbabel was a name importing the misery of the people of Israel at that time; for it is as much as an exile, or stranger, in Babylon, where he was bom. Thus pious men, even in the midst of the honours they had at court (for, Josephus saith, Zerubbabel was one of the guard of the king’s body), were admonished not to forget their brethren, but sympathize with them in their miseries. scended from slaves, whom Solomon took in war, and who afterward became proselytes. But there was no war in his days; therefore others think they were such of other nations as came to serve Solomon in servile work during the building of the temple; who being proselyted, he dc-, puted them to the perpetual conservation and rqparation of it; as Joshua had done the Giheonites, to be hewers of wood and draw r ers of water there. Or, they were some Qf the relics of the Canaanites, who delivered up themselves to Solomon, 1 Kings ix. 20, 21. Whosoever s they were, it appears from ver. 55. of this chapter, that they had the same employment with the Nethinims about the temple, or something like it; for they are numbered together with them. The children of Solai, the children, of Sophereth, the children ofPeruda.] These, and they that follow in the two next verses, are the families of the forenamed persons. (sometimes most frequent in this nation), did cease with that generation which returned from captivity, or immediately after the finishing the second temple: as if, during all that time (to use the words of that great man beforementioned), God had appointed a, fast, or vigil, as an introduction to the fulness of time; wherein (as Joel prophesied, ver. 28.) Godwould pour out his Spirit upon all flesh; upon the gentile, as well as the Jew, (Mai. i. 11.) For this cause God imposed this long fast upon the Jews, that he might humble them, and teach them, that he was not their God alone, but of the gentiles alsol The Jews generally acknowledge there wasno urim and thummim under the second temple: and even they that say there was (because it was necessary the high-priest should have his garments complete), yet say, there was no answer from God given by it; which is as much as to say, there was none at all. (See Buxtorf, Hist. Urim et Thummim, cap. 5.)

Ezra 2:1

i\ OW these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity. Some by the province understand Babylon; in which these people were most of them born, and had all lived a long time. But I think it more likely to be meant of Judea, which was made a province when it was conquered, and Gedaliah constituted the governor" of it; and in this book is called the province of Judea, chap. v. 8. Of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon.] Their parents and ancestors had been carried away by him, and they in them. And came again unto Jerusalem and fudah, every one unto his city.’] See Jer. xxxii. 15. Nehem. xi. 3. Their land and their cities had been laid so desolate, arid had been so long neglected, and were infested also by such bad neighbours, tliat it was a great piece of generosity in these men to return thither: and their names are recorded to the eternal honour of them, and of their posterity; they being the first planters of this country, after it had been laid waste.

Ezra 2:2

IVJtich came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Re hum, Baanah.* These were their heads, who undertook to conduct them: among whom Zerubbabel was the prince, or leader in chief; as Jeshua was high-priest, who is mentioned next to him. Nehemiah, who follows after him, is not the same, whose book comes after this: for he did not go now, but afterward; or, if he did, he returned to Babylon again. (See our famous Reynolds, in his Censure of the Apocryphal Books, prcelect, cxi..cxviii.) Nor. is it likely, that this Mordecai was the same with him that was Esther’s cousin, but some other person; there being another of that name mentioned in the book of the Chronicles. (See the same Reynolds, praelect. cxlvii.) The number of the men of the people of Israel.] They who were called the children of the province before, are now called the people of Israel: for from him they were derived, though most of them were of the tribe of Judah.

Ezra 2:3

Tlie children ofParosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two. He begins first to reckon up the families that went up; of which this was one of the largest, descended from Parosh, who was their ancestor.

Ezra 2:4

Tlte children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. This was another family, descended from this man. The same is to be said of the rest. Ver. 5/ The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.] So many gave in their names in Rabylon, that they intended to return into Judea: but it appears by Nehem. vii. 10. that there came no more thither than six hundred fifty and two: therefore it is supposed, that the rest altered their minds, or died by the way. The same must be said of “several other differences between this account and that in Nehemiah. Ver. G. The children of Pahath-Moab, of the children of Jeshua andJoab, two thousand eight, hundred and twelve.] Here seems to be two families joined together, one from Pahath-Moab, the other from Jcshua-Joab (as the other may be translated), which both together make the greatest body of those that went up: and six more.added themselves; for in Nehem. vii. 11. they are said to have been two thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Ezra 2:7

The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

Ezra 2:8

Tlie children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.

Ezra 2:9

And thisis the number of them: thirty cltargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, niue-and-twenty knives. See Dr. Lightfoot, of the Temple, p. 233, 234. The children ofZaccai, seven hundred and threescore.

Ezra 2:10

TJiirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. •Ver. 11. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred.] Here seems to be some difficulty: for all the vessels that are specially named, make no more in number than two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine. To which many think this a sufficient answer, that it is said in 2 Chron. xxxvi. 18. Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the vessels, both great and small. Now, in the account that is here given, the larger vessels only, whichwere of greater bigness and price, are mentioned: but the gross sura comprehends all, both great and small, and amounts to the number of five thousand and four hundred. But Tremellius solves, this, by translating the last words of the former verse otherwise than we do; not of other vessels a thousand, but other vessels by thousands, viz. almost three thousand, wanting one hundred: which our Mr. Mede judges a true translation, in his Daniel’s Weeks, book iii. p. 700. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity tfutt were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.] Which restoration of the Jewsto their own land seems to be a greater miracle than the first conquest of it: for Joshua did that by force of arms; but these exiles recovered their country without any force at all; and were settled in it, notwithstanding many great impediments to hinder it. Tlie children of Bant, six hundred forty and two.

Ezra 2:11

Tlie children ofBebai, six hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:12

The children ofAzgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.

Ezra 2:13

The children of AdoniJcam, six hundred -sixty and six.

Ezra 2:14

TJie children of Bigvai, tivo thousand fifty and six.

Ezra 2:15

Tlte children of Adin, four huudrcd fifty and four. crosoft ® chap, it;. UPON EZRA.

Ezra 2:16

Tlie children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight..

Ezra 2:17

The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:18

The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.

Ezra 2:19

Tlie children of Hashum, tivo hundred twenty and three…

Ezra 2:20

The children of Gibbar ninety and five. Or, as it is in Nehem. vii. 25. the children of Gibeon; these being the citizens of that city. For this is not the name of a man, but of a place t and so are several that follow: which hath made some think, that the foregoing are.not the names of men, but of cities, or countries, the people of which are called the children of such places;.which is frequent in the Scripture language, where we read of the children of Zion, the children of Egypt, the children of the East, &c..

Ezra 2:21

The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty anduiree. These were such as belonged to that city; unto which they went up, (ver. 1.)

Ezra 2:22

The children of Netophah, fifty and six. This was a town near to Beth-lehem.

Ezra 2:23

Hie men. of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight. A famous place in the tribe of Benjamin, where the prophet Jeremiah was born. But there are those who think it not improbable, that these were cities in the country of Babylon; which the Jews had built, and called by the names of those cities in their own country,, from whence they were banished; of which, they were desirous to preserve a remembrance. Thus the Spaniards at this day have cities in America, called Corduba, Granada, Carthagena, &c. that they may not suffer the memory of their ancient country to perish, when they were removed to a far distant land. But I see no ground for this.

Ezra 2:24

The children of Azmaveth, forty and two. Or, of Beth-Azmaveth, as it is called Nehem. vii. 28.

Ezra 2:25

The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.

Ezra 2:26

Tlie children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. These seem to have been cities in the tribe of Benjamin:. and so, it is likely, were the foregoing, and some of those that follow.

Ezra 2:27

Tlie men ofMichmas, a hundred twenty and two.

Ezra 2:28

The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.

Ezra 2:29

Tlie children of Nebo, fifty and two.

Ezra 2:30

Tlie children ofMagbish, a hundred fifty and six.

Ezra 2:31

The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. There is another Elam mentioned ver. 7. which argues the former to be the name. of a town; from which the very same number of persons went up that there did from this.

Ezra 2:32

The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.

Ezra 2:33

Tlie children of Lod, Hadid,. and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five. . These were three towns in the tribe of Benjamin, which make it probable Harim was so likewise.

Ezra 2:34

Tlie children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.

Ezra 2:35

The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty. It is uncertain whether this be the name of a person, or of a place; but the greatest number [ of persons went from hence that did from any of the forementioned. Ver* 36* Thepriests.] Having numbered the people that went from Judah and Benjamin, he proceeds now to the tribe of Levi; and first mentions the priests. Tlie children of Jedaiah, of the house ofJeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.] He is mentioned in 1 Chron. xxiv. 7. as a principal person among the priests. (See Dr. Lightfoot, p. 916.) •

Ezra 2:37

The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. He is mentioned also in 1 Chron. xxiv. 14. as head of one of the twenty-four courses of priests.

Ezra 2:38

The children ofPashur, a thousand tivo hundred forty and seven. He is mentioned also 1 Chron. ix. 12.

Ezra 2:39

The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. See 1 Chron. xxiv. 8. where he is mentioned as head of another course of the priests.

Ezra 2:40

The Levites: the children of Jeshua, and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four. See Nehem. vii. 43.

Ezra 2:41

Tlie singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.

Ezra 2:42

The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children ofAkkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.

Ezra 2:43

The Nethinims. These are generally taken to be of the race of the Gibeonites; who being given to the service of the temple were called Nethinims, which imports as much as given. But this is a mistake] the Nethi- ^nims being those whom David gave to help the Levites, as I’have observed before.. The children ofZiha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth.] It is not said how many came from each family: but it appears there were several families of them, and their whole number is mentioned in ver. 58.

Ezra 2:44

Tlie children ofKeros, the children ofSiahal the children ofPadon.

Ezra 2:45

The children of Lebanah, the children ofHagabah, the children ofAkkub. The numbe’r of these families, and those that follow, is not set down particularly; but they are all comprehended in that sum mentioned ver. 58.

Ezra 2:46

The children ofHagab, the children ofShalmai, the children of Hanan. *

Ezra 2:47

The children of Giddel, the children of Galiar, the children ofReaiah.

Ezra 2:48

The children ofRezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam.'

Ezra 2:49

Tlie, children ofUzza, tlie children of Paseah, the children of Besai.

Ezra 2:50

The children of Asnah, the children ofMehunim, the children of Nephusim..

Ezra 2:51

The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur.

Ezra 2:52

The children of Bazluth, the children ofMehida, the children ofHarsha.

Ezra 2:53

The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tliamah.

Ezra 2:54

The children of Neziah, the children ofHatipha.

Ezra 2:55

Thechildren of Solomon’s servants. These were a distinct people among the Jews; but it is uncertain who, they were. Some take them to have been originally de-

Ezra 2:56

Tlie children cfJaalah, the children ofDarkon, the children of GiddeL

Ezra 2:57

The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattit, the children ofPochereth ofZebaim, the children of Ami.

Ezra 2:58

Alt the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two. This makes it probable, that the Nethinimsand the children of Solomon’s servants (as I said before), were employed in the same or the like employment; being both mentioned together: to whose honour it must be observed, that, though they were not of the children of Israel, and were despised by them (there being decrees made by the Sarihedrin, as the Jews tell us, that they should not marry with the Gibeonites,who they fancy are here meant), yet they were more forward to return to Jerusalem, and build the house of the Lord (where they were to serve in lower ministries), than the Lcvites themselves. For there were greater numbers of them returned than of the Levites and singers, as appears by comparing this verse with ver.. 40, 41,

Ezra 2:59

And these were they which went up fromTelmelah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not jshew their father’s honse, and their seed, whether they were of Israel. These are names of some cities in Chaldea, or Mesopotamia, from whence many went along with them to Judea: and, as some think, they were Jews or proselytes who were carried captive by Shalmaheser into Assyria. Now these could not shew the families from whence they were derived, and so could not obtain any certain possession in Judea; as the rest did, who knew to what family and city they belonged.

Ezra 2:60

Tlie children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of NeTcoda, six hundred fifty and two. These were persons who could not make out their pedigree; and yet were desirous to live among the people of God, and see his worship restored.

Ezra 2:61

And of the children of the priests: the children ofHabaiah, the children of Koz, the children ofBarzillai (which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gilcadite, and was called after their name).’] This person, whosoever he was, thought it so great an honour to be descended from such a noble family as that ofBarzillai, that he chose to be called by that name, which he preferred.before his own in the family of the priests: by which vain ambition he lost his title to the priesthood, because he could not make out his pedigree from the priests, but from Barzillai*

Ezra 2:62

These sought their register among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found. The words may be more plainly translated out of the Hebrew, in this manner, These being numbered among thepriests (or, reckoned in the priestly genealogy) sought the register, the record of it in writing, but could not find it. The Jews were so careful to keep the priesthood pure, that they preserved an exact.account of the parents, the. kindred, and the quality of every priest; because there were Some women the’ priests might not marry, whose children were accounted impure; as Mr. Selden hath shewn at large, lib. ii.de Success, ad Poutific.‘cap.2.p.213. and cap. 3. pi. 215. But when the city and temple were burnt, and the people carried away in a tumultuous, confused manner into Babylon, many tables of genealogy perished, and could not be recovered. Therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.] Not permitted to perform the office of priests; because it didnotappear that they werelegally descended from pilots.

Ezra 2:63

And the Tirshatha. Some think (particularly Jacobus Capellus),thatby the Tirshatha is here meant Zerubbabel: it being a general name, they. suppose, for all dhief governors. So Nehemiah is called, chap. viii. 9. x. 1. whom others therefore will have to be here meant; who was a kind of judge (as the Persian word signifies), and gave the sentence which here follows, when he came to Judea: which was a good while after this first company arrived there. Others interpret it, the king’s commissioner; for Zerubbabel was no more. (See J. Reynolds, in his Censure of the Apocryphal Books, praelect. cxviii.) Said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things.] That is, they should not partake of the sacrifices offered for sin, nor of the right shoulder of peace-offerings, nor of the shew-bread; w T hich were all most holy, and the portion of the priests alone. This shews that Tirshatha, whosoever he was, had great power and authority; who could lay such a. restraint upon those. that had been held for priests. Till there stood up a priest with urim and with thummim.] Till the Lord himself should shew (when he vouchsafed such a high-priest as was in the first temple), whether they were of the line of Aaron or not. He “doth not quite reject dnd exclude them, but left them their claim; yet would not admit them to enjoy that which “was the sole right of the priests: which he could not determine whether it belonged to them; but the oracle being ceased, waited till God, who knew all things, should declare it. Thus careful they were to distinguish families, that strangers might not come to inherit among God’s people; and especially that the priesthood might not be invaded by any who were unqualified for it. (See Buxtorf, in his Historia Urim et Thummim, p. 323. 327.) It is evident from this place, that the urim and thummim were either lost or burnt with the temple; and whether they were after this restored, that is, whether any priest with this authority was raised up after the captivity was ended, w r e are no where informed. If there was, it was only (as Dr. Jackson well speaks, book i. on the Creed, chap. 11.) to give this people a farewell of God’s extraordinary speaking to them, either by priests or by prophets, till Christ came. Joscphus confesses, that revelation by urim and thummim did cease two hundred years before his time: but more probably this, as other kinds of prophecy, and many extraordinary tokens of God’s power and presence

Ezra 2:64

The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three. hundred and threescore. This was but a small number in comparison with that vast multitude which came out of Egypt, yet more than double to that number which was carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar. But here occurs a small difficulty (like that in the end of.the foregoing chapter); for if we put together the several sums beforementioned, they amount to no more than twentynine thousand eight hundred and eighteen; so there wants above twelve thousand to make up this number of forty thousand three hundred and threescore. But where shall we. find them? say the Jews, in Seder Olam Rabba, cap. 29.. To which they there answer, that they were of the rest of the tribes of Israel, who came up with those of Judah and Benjamin: or they might be Levites, or other Israelites, who could not make out their descent. Which is a very solid answer, for there is no doubt but many of their brethren of the ten tribes incorporated themselves with the two tribes in captivity, and took the. advantage of returning with.them:. which may be the meaning of those words in the first chapter, ver. 5. " Then rose lip the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, with all them whose spirit God had raised to go up:” that is, saith Diodate, all those of other tribes, according to 1 Chron. ix. 3.

Ezra 2:65

Besides their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven. Though all that returned were not Jews, but some of the ten tribes joined with them; yet they did not amount, slaves and all, to fifty thousand. Now what is this number to what they were in Jehoshaphat’s time, when Judah had in it two hundred thousand fighting men? And there were among them two hundred singing-men and singing-women.] Whether these were now become servants is not certain; but it seems to be manifest from 1 Chron. xxv. 5, 6. that women, as well as men, sung in the house of the Lord. Ver.: 66. Tlieir horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five.] Their poverty appears, as by the small number of servants that attended them, so by the little parcel of cattle which they had to carry them.

Ezra 2:67

Tlieir camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. Most of the people therefore travelled on foot, for these would but suffice to carry their baggage (as we speak), or little more.

Ezra 2:68

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem. That is, to the place in which the temple stood, unto which it seems their pious affections carried them, as soon as they came to Jerusalem. Offered freely for the house of God, to set it up in his place.] Made a new offering besides that which they brought out of Babylon from their brethren there, mentioned chap. i. 4. 6. By this it appears, that the Jews were not made such poor slaves in Babylon as wrought for their lords and masters, but had liberty to trade and get riches for themselves; some of them being advanced to considerable offices in the king’s court: otherwise they could not have been able to offer such sums as are mentioned in the next verse. And the like contribution, though not so large, was made for the support of the second company that went up from Babylon, as Josephus tells us, lib. xi. cap. 4. where he saith, the Jews in Babylon gave their brethren who were going to their own country, a hundred pound of gold, and five thousand of silver. But most of these rich men continued still in fiabylon> being well settled there* and in a thriving condition: insomuch that R.Eliezer was wont to say (as he is quoted by a converted Jew), “The bran only returned to Judea, the fine flour still remained in Babylon.” (See Jer.xxix.4,5.28.) But this is a conceit advanced to elude the prophecies which belong to their return from Babylon, and apply them to their present captivity from the Romans.

Ezra 2:69

Tliey gave after their ability, unto the treasure of the work. Which was presently erected, according to the ancient pattern in David’s time, (1 Chron. xxvi. 20.)’ -..” Tlireescoreand one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests* garments.] Garments, as well as gold arid silver, were wont to be laid up in treasures, as appears by our Saviour’s words, *■’ Lay up for yourselves treasures, where neither moth nor rust do corrupt,” Matt. vi. 20. Moths do not corrupt silver and gold, but only garments. (See Job xxvii. 16.)

Ezra 2:70

So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinhns, l dvjelt in their cities. They are here set down in that order wherein they are reckoned from ver. 36. and the good order is observed that was among them, every one going to the city where his ancestors dwelt; and so did all Israel, as well as Judah and Benjamin; (chap. vi. 16, 17.) Thus the foundation of this poor commonwealth was laid in a marvellous concord, there being no strife nor contention among them that came up, though of different orders and qualities; but they had one heart and soul, like the first Christians, without which unity no people can be preserved. And that it may be cherished, they must avoid those things that destroy it, which are (as Joh. Wolfius here observes) principally <pikavria and TroXvTrpayfxocrvvrj, self-love, and meddling in other men’s matter’s. And all Israel in their cities.] When the ten tribes were carried captives by Shalmaneser into Assyria, they were not carried away entirely, but some of every tribe left, who, with Judah and Benjamin, were afterward carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, and now restored by Cyrus. By this our primate Usher explains what we read afterward, (chap. vi. 17, 18.) that they offered twelve he-goats, according to the number of the children of Israel; (ad A. Mundi