EZRA THE ARGUMENT THAT this book of EZRA is part of the canonical Scripture is evident, partly from the testimony of the Jewish church, to which were committed the oracles of God, Rom.

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to wit, of his empire or reign in Babylon; for he had now been king of Persia for many years. Stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, i.e. put into him a mind and will to his work.

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,…

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.

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.

The chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin; and with them some of other tribes, as appears from 1 Chron. 9:3; but these only are named, because they were most considerable for number and quality.

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…

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, Deut. 25:12, 2 Sam. 4:12, 2 Kings 18:16, Jer. 9:26.

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,…

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.

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.