Ezra 8:34 Komentář

This chapter gives us a more particular narrative of Ezra's journey to Jerusalem, of which we had a general account in the foregoing chapter I. The company that went up with him (v. 1-20). II. The solemn fast which he kept with his company, to implore God's presence with them in this journey (Ezr 8:21-23). III. The care he took of the treasure he had with him, and the charge he gave concerning it to the priests, to whose custody he committed it (Ezr 8:24-30). IV. The care God took of him and his company in the way (Ezr 8:31). V. Their safe arrival at Jerusalem, where they delivered their treasure to the priests (Ezr 8:32-34), their commissions to the kings lieutenants (Ezr 8:36), offered sacrifices to God (Ezr 8:35), and then applied to their business.

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 8 In this chapter we are told who and how many went up with Ezra to Jerusalem, Ezr 8:1, the gathering of them together at a river, from whence he sent to Babylon for Levites to come to him, who did, Ezr 8:15, the proclaiming a fast for a safe and prosperous journey, Ezr 8:21, the delivery of the vessels and money given him into the hands of priests, to take the care and charge thereof, Ezr 8:24, their safe arrival at Jerusalem, where they deposited the gifts in the temple, offered sacrifices to God, and delivered the king's commissions to his lieutenants and governors, Ezr 8:31.

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river,.... The governors of the provinces of Syria, Palestine, and Judea, which were on that side of Euphrates the land of Israel was: and they furthered the people, and the house of God; or "lifted them up" (i), eased them of all burdens, and freed them from all impediments, and assisted them and furnished them with everything, as the decree of Artaxerxes enjoined them; and provided everything as they required for ornamenting the temple, and for the sacrifices of it; all which is to be understood of the king's lieutenants and governors, who obeyed his commands. (i) "elevaverunt", V. L. Piscator; "exaltaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "sublevarunt", Junius & Tremellius. Next: Ezra Chapter 9

And every weight was recorded in that time. For the priests in the temple record all the weight of silver and gold, and of the vessels offered to the Lord, just as diligent teachers examine the lives of those under them, and discern by careful inquiry how much each one has progressed in faith or work, and according to the measure of their capacity, they arrange each in the house of God by their fitting steps. But even if now the laziness of overseers lies dormant and either ignores the lives of those entrusted to them or pretends not to know them, the internal judge is present, who keeps intact the number of believers and the weight of each one’s soul in the balance of His examination, so that He may render to each according to his work. It can also be said; because when holy preachers reach the heavenly Jerusalem with those whom they have instructed, all the weight of their good action is recorded at that time in the book of life and they are rewarded in heaven with deserving retribution.

The genealogy of the chief persons who went with Ezra from Babylon, Ezr 8:1-14. He gathers them together at Ahava; and finding among them no Levites, he sends confidential persons to the river of Ahava, who return with many Levites and Nethinim, Ezr 8:15-20. He proclaims a fast at Ahava for Divine protection on their journey, Ezr 8:21-23. He delivers to the care of the priests etc., the silver, gold, and sacred vessels, that they might carry them to Jerusalem, and deliver them to the high priest, Ezr 8:24-30. They depart from Ahava, and come to Jerusalem, Ezr 8:31, Ezr 8:32. The vessels are weighed and the weight registered, Ezr 8:33, Ezr 8:34. They offer burnt-offerings to God, Ezr 8:35; deliver the king's commissions to his lieutenants, by whom they are furthered in their work, Ezr 8:36.

EZRA'S COMPANIONS FROM BABYLON. (Ezr 8:1-14) this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon--The number given here amounts to 1754. But this is the register of adult males only, and as there were women and children also (Ezr 8:21), the whole caravan may be considered as comprising between six thousand and seven thousand.