1.
Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
am 3547, bc 457
Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:21, Ezra 6:14, Nehemiah 2:1
Ezra: Ezra 7:10, Ezra 8:1 - Ezra 10:44, Nehemiah 8:2-9
Seraiah: 2 Kings 25:18, 1 Chronicles 6:4-14, 1 Chronicles 9:11, Nehemiah 11:11, Jeremiah 52:24-27
Hilkiah: 2 Kings 22:4, 2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 34:9, 2 Chronicles 34:15
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:14 - Seraiah 1 Chronicles 6:50 - Eleazar 2 Chronicles 17:8 - priests Nehemiah 12:36 - Ezra Daniel 9:25 - from
2.
The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
Zadok: 2 Samuel 8:17, 1 Kings 2:35
3.
The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:7 - Amariah 1 Chronicles 6:11 - Amariah
4.
The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:6 - Zerahiah
5.
The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
Phinehas: Exodus 6:25, Numbers 25:7-13, Numbers 31:6, Joshua 22:13, Joshua 22:31, Judges 20:28, 1 Chronicles 6:4, 1 Chronicles 6:50-52, Psalms 106:30, Psalms 106:31
Eleazar: Leviticus 10:6, Leviticus 10:12, Leviticus 10:16, Numbers 3:32, Numbers 20:25-28, Numbers 27:2, Numbers 31:31, Numbers 31:54, Joshua 14:1, Joshua 24:33, 1 Chronicles 24:1-6
chief priest: 2 Chronicles 19:11, 2 Chronicles 26:20, Hebrews 5:4
6.
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
a ready: Sopher mahir does not merely signify a speedy writer, or an excellent penman, but one eminently skilful in expounding the law, sophro chochmo, "a wise scribe," as the Syriac renders. Ezra 7:11, Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:21, Psalms 45:1, Matthew 13:52
scribe: Nehemiah 8:4, Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 8:13, Nehemiah 12:26, Nehemiah 12:36, Jeremiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 1:20
the law: Deuteronomy 4:5, Deuteronomy 28:1, Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:2
granted him: Ezra 7:11-26
according to: Ezra 7:9, Ezra 7:28, Ezra 6:22, Ezra 8:18, Ezra 8:22, Ezra 8:31, Genesis 32:28, Nehemiah 1:10, Nehemiah 1:11, Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah 2:12, Nehemiah 2:18, Nehemiah 4:15, Proverbs 3:6, Isaiah 50:2, Isaiah 59:1
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them 1 Chronicles 2:55 - the scribes 1 Chronicles 24:6 - the scribe 2 Chronicles 34:13 - scribes Ezra 5:5 - But the eye Ezra 7:10 - the law Ezra 9:9 - in the sight Nehemiah 1:7 - which thou Esther 2:9 - she obtained Proverbs 22:11 - the king Jeremiah 40:5 - or go Matthew 2:4 - scribes Matthew 8:19 - certain Acts 18:24 - mighty
7.
And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
the children: Ezra 8:1-14
the Levites: Ezra 2:40, Ezra 2:41, Ezra 8:15-20
singers: 1 Chronicles 6:31-48, 1 Chronicles 25:1-8
porters: Ezra 2:42, 1 Chronicles 9:17-27, Nehemiah 7:45
Nethinims: Ezra 7:24, Ezra 2:43-70, Ezra 8:20, Nehemiah 7:46-73, Nehemiah 10:28
Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:11, Ezra 7:12, Ezra 6:14, Ezra 8:1, Nehemiah 2:1
Reciprocal: Exodus 1:1 - General 1 Chronicles 23:5 - porters 2 Chronicles 34:13 - porters Ezra 2:58 - Nethinims Ezra 8:17 - the Nethinims
8.
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
Reciprocal: Ezra 8:32 - General Ezra 9:9 - in the sight Ezra 10:9 - the ninth month Esther 2:16 - the seventh Daniel 9:25 - from
9.
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
began he to go up: Heb. was the foundation of the going up, according to. Ezra 7:6, Nehemiah 2:8, Nehemiah 2:18
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:1 - the adversaries Ezra 7:28 - as the hand Ezra 8:17 - Casiphia Ezra 8:22 - The hand Ezra 8:31 - the hand Ezra 8:32 - General Ezra 10:9 - the ninth month Isaiah 66:14 - the hand Jeremiah 27:22 - then Daniel 9:24 - Seventy weeks Acts 11:21 - the hand
10.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
prepared: 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Chronicles 29:18, 2 Chronicles 12:14, 2 Chronicles 19:3, Job 11:13, Psalms 10:17, Psalms 57:7
the law: Ezra 7:6, Psalms 1:2, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 119:45, Psalms 119:96-100
to do it: Deuteronomy 16:12, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 7:24, John 13:17, Revelation 22:14
and to teach: Ezra 7:25, Deuteronomy 33:10, 2 Chronicles 17:8, 2 Chronicles 17:9, 2 Chronicles 30:22, Nehemiah 8:1-9, Malachi 2:7, Acts 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:1, Titus 2:15
Reciprocal: Exodus 24:12 - that thou Exodus 35:34 - he hath 2 Chronicles 30:19 - prepareth 2 Chronicles 34:14 - the law Ezra 7:1 - Ezra Ezra 7:21 - Ezra the priest Matthew 13:52 - scribe 2 Timothy 2:2 - who Hebrews 5:12 - teachers
11.
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
the copy: Ezra 4:11, Ezra 5:6
a scribe: Ezra 7:6, Matthew 23:2, Matthew 23:13, Mark 7:1-13
Reciprocal: Ezra 7:7 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21 - Ezra the priest Nehemiah 8:1 - Ezra Nehemiah 8:9 - Ezra Nehemiah 12:26 - Nehemiah Isaiah 49:23 - kings Daniel 9:25 - from Matthew 2:4 - scribes
12.
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
Artaxerxes: The title of the king would, in Persian, run thus: Ardsheer shahinshah, or padshah, "Ardsheer, king of kings," i.e., great or supreme king or emperor. 1 Kings 4:24, 1 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 10:8, Ezekiel 26:7, Daniel 2:37, Daniel 2:47, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16
unto Ezra: etc. or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc. and at such a time. Ezra 4:10, Ezra 4:11, Ezra 4:17
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:28 - the king of Assyria Ezra 7:1 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:6 - a ready Ezra 7:7 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21 - Artaxerxes Isaiah 13:3 - them that Isaiah 60:10 - their kings Daniel 6:26 - make Jonah 1:9 - the God Matthew 2:4 - scribes Acts 18:24 - mighty Revelation 16:11 - the God
13.
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
I make: Ezra 5:13, Ezra 6:1, 2 Chronicles 30:5, Esther 3:15, Esther 9:14, Psalms 148:6
minded: Ezra 1:3, Psalms 110:3, Philippians 2:13, Revelation 22:17
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 36:23 - Who is there Ezra 7:21 - Artaxerxes Ezra 7:23 - Whatsoever is commanded Ezra 8:1 - them that went up Psalms 68:29 - shall Daniel 6:26 - make Jonah 1:9 - the God
14.
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
of the king: Chal, from before the king
seven counsellors: Seven princes of Persia having conspired against and slain the usurper Smerdis, and thus made way for the family of Darius, which afterwards filled the throne, the Persian kings of this race had always seven chief princes as their counsellors, who possessed peculiar privileges, were his chief assistants in the government, and by whose advice all the public affairs of the empire were transacted. The names of these counsellors are given in the parallel place of the book of Esther. Esther 1:14
according: Ezra 7:25, Ezra 7:26, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Isaiah 8:20
thy God: Ezra 1:3, Ezra 5:8, Ezra 6:12, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 6:20, Daniel 6:26
Reciprocal: Ezra 7:28 - his counsellors Esther 3:1 - above all the princes Zechariah 6:10 - which
15.
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellers have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
the silver: Ezra 6:4, Ezra 6:8-10, Psalms 68:29, Psalms 68:30, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 76:11, Isaiah 60:6-9, Revelation 21:24-26
whose habitation: Ezra 6:12, 2 Chronicles 2:6, 2 Chronicles 6:2, 2 Chronicles 6:6, Psalms 9:11, Psalms 26:8, Psalms 76:2, Psalms 135:21
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 14:26 - bestow 1 Chronicles 29:5 - General 2 Chronicles 32:23 - gifts Ezra 1:6 - strengthened their hands Ezra 8:25 - the silver Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but Zechariah 7:2 - they
16.
And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
all the silver: Ezra 8:25-28
offering: Ezra 1:4, Ezra 1:6, 1 Chronicles 29:6, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:17, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reciprocal: Exodus 25:2 - willingly 2 Kings 12:4 - and all the money 1 Chronicles 29:5 - General 2 Chronicles 31:14 - the freewill 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes
17.
That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
buy speedily: Ezra 6:9, Ezra 6:10, Deuteronomy 14:24-26, Matthew 21:12, Matthew 21:13, John 2:14
their meat offerings: Numbers 15:4-13
offer them: Deuteronomy 12:5-11
Reciprocal: Isaiah 16:1 - the lamb
18.
And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
whatsoever: 2 Kings 12:15, 2 Kings 22:7
that do: Ezra 7:26, Ephesians 5:17
after the will: He gave them the fullest liberty to order every thing according to their own institutions; binding them to no form or mode of worship.
Reciprocal: Ezra 7:23 - Whatsoever is commanded
19.
The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
The vessels: Ezra 8:27-30, Ezra 8:33, Ezra 8:34
the God of Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 32:19, Jeremiah 3:17
Reciprocal: Jeremiah 27:22 - then
20.
And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
bestow it: Ezra 6:4, Ezra 6:8-18
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:31 - General Nehemiah 11:23 - the king's Nehemiah 13:14 - house
21.
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:13
beyond the river: Ezra 4:16, Ezra 4:20, Ezra 6:6
Ezra the priest: Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:10, Ezra 7:11
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:31 - General Judges 5:3 - even I Ezra 5:3 - Tatnai Ezra 8:36 - the king's commissions Nehemiah 2:7 - let letters Daniel 3:3 - the treasurers Matthew 13:52 - scribe Revelation 16:11 - the God
22.
Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
measures: Chal, cors, Luke 16:7, *marg.
baths of wine: Ezekiel 45:14, Luke 16:6, *marg.
salt: Leviticus 2:13
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 14:26 - bestow 2 Chronicles 2:10 - baths of wine
23.
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Whatsoever is commanded: Chal, Whatsoever is of the decree, Ezra 7:13, Ezra 7:18
let it be: Psalms 119:4
why should there be wrath: As Artaxerxes believed he was appointed by the Almighty to do this work, he therefore wished to do it heartily; knowing that if he did not, God would be displeased, and that the kingdom would be cut off from him or his posterity. Ezra 6:10-12, Zechariah 12:3
Reciprocal: Exodus 5:3 - lest he Ezra 5:8 - the great God Ezra 10:4 - for this matter Jeremiah 29:7 - pray Daniel 3:28 - Blessed Revelation 16:11 - the God
24.
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
touching any: Ezra 7:7, Ezra 2:36-55
Reciprocal: Genesis 47:22 - for the priests 1 Samuel 17:25 - free in Israel 1 Chronicles 9:33 - the singers 1 Chronicles 15:16 - And David Ezra 4:13 - toll Ezra 8:15 - and found Nehemiah 9:37 - it yieldeth Nehemiah 13:14 - house Matthew 22:17 - is
25.
And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
the wisdom: Ezra 7:14, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Chronicles 22:12, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 119:98-100, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 6:23, James 1:5, James 3:17, James 3:18
set magistrates: Exodus 18:21-25, Deuteronomy 16:18, 1 Chronicles 23:4, 2 Chronicles 19:8-10
beyond the river: That is, "west of the Euphrates," which was beyond with regard to the king of Persia, who was on the east. Ezra 6:6
teach ye: Ezra 7:10, 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 8:8, Nehemiah 9:3, Nehemiah 13:1-3, Malachi 2:7, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 23:2, Matthew 23:3, Mark 6:34, Romans 10:14-17
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 30:22 - taught Jeremiah 30:21 - nobles Romans 7:1 - them that 2 Timothy 2:2 - who Hebrews 8:11 - Know the 2 Peter 3:15 - according
26.
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
whosoever: Ezra 6:11, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 3:29, Daniel 6:26
the law of thy God: 2 Chronicles 30:12
whether it be: Exodus 21:1 - Exodus 22:31, Leviticus 20:1-27, Deuteronomy 13:1-18
banishment: Chal, rooting out, Psalms 52:5
Reciprocal: Ezra 7:14 - according Ezra 7:18 - that do Ezra 10:8 - And that whosoever Nehemiah 13:21 - I will lay Nehemiah 13:25 - smote Jeremiah 30:21 - nobles
27.
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
Blessed: There is a most amiable spirit of piety in these reflections. Instead of expatiating on the praises of his munificent patron, or boasting of his own services, he blesses God for "putting such a thing in the king's heart;" and for all the assistance and favour shown him by the king and his counsellors. Ezra 6:22, 1 Chronicles 29:10-30, Philippians 4:10
put such: Ezra 6:22, Nehemiah 2:12, Nehemiah 7:5, 2 Corinthians 8:16, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16, James 1:17, Revelation 17:17
in the king's heart: Nehemiah 2:8, Proverbs 21:1
to beautify: Isaiah 60:13
Reciprocal: Genesis 43:14 - And God Exodus 35:21 - General Exodus 35:34 - he hath 1 Samuel 25:32 - General 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them 2 Chronicles 18:31 - God moved them 2 Chronicles 30:12 - the hand of God 2 Chronicles 31:8 - blessed 2 Chronicles 32:23 - gifts 2 Chronicles 33:13 - brought him Ezra 1:1 - the Lord Ezra 4:7 - the Syrian tongue Ezra 5:14 - the king Nehemiah 1:11 - grant Nehemiah 13:14 - house Psalms 96:9 - in the beauty of holiness Psalms 102:14 - General Psalms 126:3 - General Proverbs 3:6 - In Proverbs 16:1 - preparations Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Jeremiah 40:5 - or go Daniel 1:9 - General Haggai 1:14 - stirred Matthew 21:3 - straightway Luke 6:38 - and it Luke 7:5 - and John 13:2 - put Acts 5:30 - God Acts 7:23 - it came Acts 22:14 - The God Acts 28:10 - laded Romans 6:17 - But Philippians 2:13 - to will
28.
And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
extended: Ezra 9:9, Genesis 32:28, Genesis 43:14, Nehemiah 1:11
his counsellors: Ezra 7:14, Jonah 3:7
And I was strengthened: In what the king decreed he saw the hand of God: he therefore gave Him the praise, and took courage.
as the hand: Ezra 7:6, Ezra 7:9, Ezra 5:5, Ezra 8:18, Nehemiah 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:18
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:50 - and give them Ezra 8:22 - The hand Ezra 8:31 - the hand Psalms 126:3 - General Proverbs 21:1 - The king's Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Daniel 1:9 - General Haggai 1:14 - stirred Luke 6:38 - and it Luke 7:5 - and