EZRA CHAPTER 1 Cyrus's proclamation to Israel for building the Lord's temple at Jerusalem, EZRA 1:1. The chief of the people prepare for their return, EZRA 1:5,6. Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar prince of Judah, EZRA 1:7,8. Their number, EZRA 1:9. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF CYRUS... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH, to wit, in those parts of the world; all that vast empire formerly under the Assyrians and Babylonians. The gift of which he ascribes to the great God, either by virtue of those common notions which were in the minds of the heathens, who though they worshipped idols, y... [ Continue Reading ]
OF ALL HIS PEOPLE, to wit, of Israel. A material clause; by virtue of which they justly refused the help of those aliens who pretended to join with them in the building, EZRA 4:2,3. HIS GOD BE WITH HIM; let his God help him, as I also shall do. WHICH IS IN JERUSALEM, or only IN JERUSALEM, as it is i... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER REMAINETH; who, when his brethren were gone up, was desirous to go with them, but forced to tarry there for want of necessaries for his journey. LET THE MEN OF HIS PLACE HELP HIM; I require my officers to take care that they may be supplied, either by the voluntary contributions of the peo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN; and with them some of other tribes, as appears from 1 CHRONICLES 9:3; but these only are named, because they were most considerable for number and quality. WHOSE SPIRIT GOD HAD RAISED TO GO UP; to whom God had given that pious disposition, and that for... [ Continue Reading ]
STRENGTHENED THEIR HANDS; either because they had embraced, or at least favoured the Jewish religion, concerning which they were instructed by the Israelites that had now for a long time dwelt among them; or rather, that they might hereby gratify the king's humour, and purchase his favour; for they... [ Continue Reading ]
OBJECT. These are said to have been cut in pieces, 2 KINGS 24:13; how then are they here returned? ANSW. That Hebrew word used 2 KINGS 24:13, signifies not so properly to CUT IN PIECES as to CUT OFF, as from the use of the word, DEUTERONOMY 25:12 2 SAMUEL 4:12 2 KINGS 18:16 JEREMIAH 9:26. And these... [ Continue Reading ]
NUMBERED THEM, i.e. he caused them to be delivered to the Jews by number. UNTO SHESHBAZZAR, i.e. Zorobabel, as appears by comparing EZRA 3:8, with EZRA 5:16, to whom the Persians, or rather the Chaldeans, had given this name of Sheshbazzar, as they gave other names to Daniel and his companions, DANI... [ Continue Reading ]
Large knives used in the killing of the sacrifices, which are here mentioned, because the hafts of them were made of or covered with gold or silver.... [ Continue Reading ]
BASONS OF A SECOND SORT; the first or chief were of gold, and these of silver are called the second, or next to them of worth and use. OTHER VESSELS A THOUSAND: he speaks of vessels of a middle size; for great and small were five thousand four hundred, as it follows here. Or, as some render it, OTHE... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]