_A.M. 3468. B.C. 536._ The proclamation of Cyrus, for the release of the Jews, and building of the temple, Ezra 1:1. The return of many of them, Ezra 1:5; Ezra 1:6. Orders given for restoring the vessels of the temple, Ezra 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia_ This is that famous Cyrus who, one hundred and forty years before the temple was destroyed, and two hundred years before he was born, was mentioned by name in the prophecies of Isaiah, as raised up, and appointed by God, for the restoration of his peo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God of heaven_ It is observable, says Mr. Locke, that God, in the former books, is called _the Lord of hosts_, but in the last of Chronicles, in this, in Nehemiah, and Daniel, that is, in the books written after the captivity, he is styled _the God of heaven_, and not _Lord of hosts_, thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who is there among you of all his people?_ Not of the tribe of Judah only, but of Israel also, who were under his government, the Assyrians and Medes, among whom they were scattered, being his subjects. Accordingly Josephus says, that Zerubbabel sent the edict of Cyrus into Media to the rest of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever remaineth in any place where be sojourneth_, &c. This seems to relate to such as were desirous to go up with their brethren, but were forced to stay behind for want of necessaries to support them in so long a journey. To such he would have a supply of all things needful to be given by the... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 1:5. _Then rose up the chief of the fathers_, &c. Eminent and experienced men, from whom it might justly be expected, that, as they were above their brethren in dignity, so they should go before them in duty. _Of Judah and Benjamin_ And with them some of the other tribes, as appears from 1 Chro... [ Continue Reading ]
_All that were about them strengthened their hands_ Some of them, probably, because they had embraced, or at least favoured, the Jewish religion, concerning which they had been instructed by the Israelites, who had now for a long time dwelt among them; and others, that they might hereby gratify the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And numbered them_ Caused them to be delivered to the Jews by number; _unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah_ The captain and governor of these returning Jews, Ezra 2:2. The sceptre, therefore, was not yet departed from Judah. This person's name was originally Zerubbabel, but it was common for the... [ Continue Reading ]