13 I H4481 make H7761 a decree, H2942 that all H3606 they of H4481 the people H5972 of Israel, H3479 and of his priests H3549 and Levites, H3879 in my realm, H4437 which are minded of their own freewill H5069 to go up H1946 to Jerusalem, H3390 go H1946 with thee. H5974
Then H116 Darius H1868 the king H4430 made H7761 a decree, H2942 and search H1240 was made in the house H1005 of the rolls, H5609 where H8536 the treasures H1596 were laid up H5182 in Babylon. H895
So they established H5975 a decree H1697 to make proclamation H5674 H6963 throughout all Israel, H3478 from Beersheba H884 even to Dan, H1835 that they should come H935 to keep H6213 the passover H6453 unto the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 at Jerusalem: H3389 for they had not done H6213 it of a long H7230 time in such sort as it was written. H3789
But H1297 in the first H2298 year H8140 of Cyrus H3567 the king H4430 of Babylon H895 the same king H4430 Cyrus H3567 made H7761 a decree H2942 to build H1124 this H1836 house H1005 of God. H426
The posts H7323 went out, H3318 being hastened H1765 by the king's H4428 commandment, H1697 and the decree H1881 was given H5414 in Shushan H7800 the palace. H1002 And the king H4428 and Haman H2001 sat down H3427 to drink; H8354 but the city H5892 Shushan H7800 was perplexed. H943
Thy people H5971 shall be willing H5071 in the day H3117 of thy power, H2428 in the beauties H1926 of holiness H6944 from the womb H7358 of the morning: H4891 thou hast the dew H2919 of thy youth. H3208
And G2532 the Spirit G4151 and G2532 the bride G3565 say, G3004 Come. G2064 And G2532 let him that heareth G191 say, G2036 Come. G2064 And G2532 let him that is athirst G1372 come. G2064 And G2532 whosoever will, G2309 let him take G2983 the water G5204 of life G2222 freely. G1432
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezra 7
Commentary on Ezra 7 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 7
Ezra's precious name saluted us, at first, in the title of the book, but in the history we have not met with it till this chapter introduces him into public action in another reign, that of Artaxerxes. Zerubbabel and Jeshua we will suppose, by this time, to have grown old, if not gone off; nor do we hear any more of Haggai and Zechariah; they have finished their testimony. What shall become of the cause of God and Israel when these useful instruments are laid aside? Trust God, who has the residue of the Spirit, to raise up others in their room. Ezra here, and Nehemiah in the next book, are as serviceable in their days as those were in theirs. Here is,
The next chapter will give us a more particular narrative of his associates, his journey, and his arrival at Jerusalem.
Ezr 7:1-10
Here is,
Ezr 7:11-26
We have here the commission which the Persian emperor granted to Ezra, giving him authority to act for the good of the Jews; and it is very ample and full, and beyond what could have been expected. The commission runs, we suppose, in the usual form: Artaxerxes, King of kings. This however is too high a title for any mortal man to assume; he was indeed king of some kings, but to speak as if he were king of all kings was to usurp his prerogative who hath all power both in heaven and in earth. He sends greeting to his trusty and well-beloved Ezra, whom he calls a scribe of the law of the God of heaven (v. 12), a title which (it seems by this) Ezra valued himself by, and desired no other, no, not when he was advanced to the proconsular dignity. He reckoned it more his honour to be a scribe of God's law than to be a peer or prince of the empire. Let us observe the articles of this commission.
Ezr 7:27-28
Ezra cannot proceed in his story without inserting his thankful acknowledgement of the goodness of God to him and his people in this matter. As soon as he has concluded the king's commission, instead of subjoining, God save the king (though that would have been proper enough), he adds, Blessed be the Lord; for we must in every thing give thanks, and, whatever occurrences please us, we must own God's hand in them, and praise his name. Two things Ezra blessed God for:-