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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Ezra, Chapter II].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E Z R A</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. II.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
That many returned out of Babylon upon Cyrus's proclamation we were
told in the foregoing chapter; we have here a catalogue of the several
families that returned,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:1">ver. 1</A>.
I. The leaders,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:2">ver. 2</A>.
II. The people,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:3-35">ver. 3-35</A>.
III. The priests, Levites, and retainers to the temple,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:35-63">ver. 35-63</A>.
IV. The sum total, with an account of their retinue,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:64-67">ver. 64-67</A>.
V. Their offerings to the service of the temple,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:68-70">ver. 68-70</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Ezr2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ezr2_30"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ezr2_35"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Return of the Captives.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 536.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now these <I>are</I> the children of the province that went up out
of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon,
and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
&nbsp; 2 Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah,
Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The
number of the men of the people of Israel:
&nbsp; 3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and
two.
&nbsp; 4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
&nbsp; 5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
&nbsp; 6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua <I>and</I>
Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
&nbsp; 7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
&nbsp; 8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
&nbsp; 9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
&nbsp; 10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
&nbsp; 11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
&nbsp; 12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and
two.
&nbsp; 13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
&nbsp; 14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
&nbsp; 15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
&nbsp; 16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
&nbsp; 17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
&nbsp; 18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.
&nbsp; 19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
&nbsp; 20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
&nbsp; 21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
&nbsp; 22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
&nbsp; 23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
&nbsp; 24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
&nbsp; 25 The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven
hundred and forty and three.
&nbsp; 26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
&nbsp; 27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
&nbsp; 28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
&nbsp; 29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
&nbsp; 30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
&nbsp; 31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty
and four.
&nbsp; 32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
&nbsp; 33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty
and five.
&nbsp; 34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
&nbsp; 35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and
thirty.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We may observe here,
1. That an account was kept in writing of the families that came up out
of captivity, and the numbers of each family. This was done for their
honour, as part of their recompence for their faith and courage, their
confidence in God and their affection to their own land, and to stir up
others to follow their good example. Those that honour God he will thus
honour. The names of all those Israelites indeed that accept the offer
of deliverance by Christ shall be found, to their honour, in a more
sacred record than this, even in <I>the Lamb's book of life.</I> The
account that was kept of the families that came up from the captivity
was intended also for the benefit of posterity, that they might know
from whom they descended and to whom they were allied.
2. That they are called <I>children of the province.</I> Judah, which
had been an illustrious kingdom, to which other kingdoms had been made
provinces, subject to it and dependent on it, was now itself made a
province, to receive laws and commissions from the king of Persia and
to be accountable to him. See how sin diminishes and debases a nation,
which righteousness would exalt. But by thus being made servants (as
the patriarchs by being sojourners in a country which was theirs by
promise) they were reminded of the <I>better country, that is, the
heavenly</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:16">Heb. xi. 16</A>),
a <I>kingdom which cannot be moved,</I> or changed into a province.
3. That they are said to come <I>every one to his city,</I> that is,
the city appointed them, in which appointment an eye, no doubt, was had
to their former settlement by Joshua; and to that, as near as might be,
they returned: for it does not appear that any others, at least any
that were able to oppose them, had possessed them in their absence.
4. That the leaders are first mentioned,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
Zerubbabel and Jeshua were their Moses and Aaron, the former their
chief prince, the latter their chief priest. Nehemiah and Mordecai are
mentioned here; some think not the same with the famous men we
afterwards meet with of those names: probably they were the same, but
afterwards returned to court for the service of their country.
5. Some of these several families are named from the persons that were
their ancestors, others from the places in which they had formerly
resided; as with us many surnames are the proper names of persons,
others of places.
6. Some little difference there is between the numbers of some of the
families here and in
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:5-73">Neh. vii.</A>,
where this catalogue is repeated, which might arise from this, that
some who had given in their names at first to come afterwards drew
back--said, <I>I go, Sir, but went not,</I> which would lessen the
number of the families they belonged to; others that declined, at
first, <I>afterwards repented and went,</I> and so increased the
number.
7. Here are two families that are called <I>the children of Elam</I>
(one
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>,
another
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
and, which is strange, the number of both is the same, 1254.
8. The children of Adonikam, which signifies <I>a high lord,</I> were
666, just the <I>number of the beast</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:18">Rev. xiii. 18</A>),
which is there said to be <I>the number of a man,</I> which, Mr. Hugh
Broughton thinks, has reference to this man.
9. The children of Bethlehem
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>)
were but 123, though it was David's city; for Bethlehem was <I>little
among the thousands of Judah,</I> yet there must the Messiah arise,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:2">Mic. v. 2</A>.
10. Anathoth had been a famous place in the tribe of Benjamin and yet
here it numbered but 128
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
which is to be imputed to the divine curse which the men of Anathoth
brought upon themselves by persecuting Jeremiah, who was of their city.
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+11:21,23">Jer. xi. 21, 23</A>,
<I>There shall be no remnant of them, for I will bring evil upon the
men of Anathoth.</I> And see
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:30">Isa. x. 30</A>,
<I>O poor Anathoth!</I> Nothing brings ruin on a people sooner than
persecution.</P>
<A NAME="Ezr2_36"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_37"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_38"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_39"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_40"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_41"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_42"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ezr2_55"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_56"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_57"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_58"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_59"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_60"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_61"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_62"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_63"> </A>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of
Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
&nbsp; 37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
&nbsp; 38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and
seven.
&nbsp; 39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
&nbsp; 40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the
children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
&nbsp; 41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and
eight.
&nbsp; 42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the
children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub,
the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, <I>in</I> all an
hundred thirty and nine.
&nbsp; 43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of
Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
&nbsp; 44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children
of Padon,
&nbsp; 45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the
children of Akkub,
&nbsp; 46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children
of Hanan,
&nbsp; 47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children
of Reaiah,
&nbsp; 48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children
of Gazzam,
&nbsp; 49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children
of Besai,
&nbsp; 50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children
of Nephusim,
&nbsp; 51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the
children of Harhur,
&nbsp; 52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the
children of Harsha,
&nbsp; 53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children
of Thamah,
&nbsp; 54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
&nbsp; 55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai,
the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
&nbsp; 56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children
of Giddel,
&nbsp; 57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the
children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
&nbsp; 58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants,
<I>were</I> three hundred ninety and two.
&nbsp; 59 And these <I>were</I> they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa,
Cherub, Addan, <I>and</I> Immer: but they could not show their
father's house, and their seed, whether they <I>were</I> of Israel:
&nbsp; 60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the
children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
&nbsp; 61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah,
the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife
of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after
their name:
&nbsp; 62 These sought their register <I>among</I> those that were reckoned
by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as
polluted, put from the priesthood.
&nbsp; 63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat
of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim
and with Thummim.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is an account,
I. Of the priests that returned, and they were a considerable number,
about a tenth part of the whole company: for the whole were above
42,000
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:64"><I>v.</I> 64</A>),
and four families of priests made up above 4200
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:36-39"><I>v.</I> 36-39</A>);
thus was the tenth God's part--a blessed decimation. Three of the
fathers of the priests here named were heads of courses,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+24:7,8,14">1 Chron. xxiv. 7, 8, 14</A>.
The fourth was Pashur,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
If these were of the posterity of that Pashur that abused Jeremiah
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+20:1">Jer. xx. 1</A>),
it is strange that so bad a man should have so good a seed, and so
numerous.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Of the Levites. I cannot but wonder at the small number of them,
for, taking in both the singers and the porters
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:40-42"><I>v.</I> 40-42</A>),
they did not make 350. Time was when the Levites were more forward to
their duty than the priests
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+29:34">2 Chron. xxix. 34</A>),
but they were not so now. If one place, one family, has the reputation
for pious zeal now, another may have it another time. <I>The wind blows
where it listeth,</I> and shifts its points.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. Of the Nethinim, who, it is supposed, were the Gibeonites,
<I>given</I> (so their name signifies) by Joshua first
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+9:27">Josh. ix. 27</A>),
and again by David
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+8:20">Ezra viii. 20</A>),
when Saul had expelled them, to be employed by the Levites in the work
of God's house as hewers of wood and drawers of water; and, with them,
of the children of Solomon's servants, whom he gave for the like use
(whether they were Jews or Gentiles does not appear) and who were here
taken notice of among the retainers of the temple and numbered with the
Nethinim,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:55,58"><I>v.</I> 55, 58</A>.
Note, It is an honour to belong to God's house, though in the meanest
office there.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. Of some that were looked upon as Israelites by birth, and others as
priests, and yet could not make out a clear title to the honour.
1. There were some that could not prove themselves Israelites
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:59,60"><I>v.</I> 59, 60</A>),
a considerable number, who presumed they were of the seed of Jacob, but
could not produce their pedigrees, and yet would go up to Jerusalem,
having an affection to the house and people of God. These shamed those
who were true-born Israelites, and yet were not called Israelites
indeed, <I>who came out of the waters of Judah</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+48:1">Isa. xlviii. 1</A>),
but had lost the relish of those waters.
2. There were others that could not prove themselves priests, and yet
were supposed to be of the seed of Aaron. What is not preserved in
black and white will, in all likelihood, be forgotten in a little time.
Now we are here told,
(1.) How they lost their evidence. One of their ancestors married a
daughter of Barzillai, that great man whom we read of in David's time;
he gloried in an alliance to that honourable family, and, preferring
that before the dignity of his priesthood, would have his children
called after Barzillai's family, and their pedigree preserved in the
registers of that house, not of the house of Aaron, and so they lost
it. In Babylon there was nothing to be got by the priesthood, and
therefore they cared not for being akin to it. Those who think their
ministry, or their relation to ministers, a diminution or disparagement
to them, forget who it was that said, <I>I magnify my office.</I>
(2.) What they lost with it. It could not be taken for granted that
they were priests when they could not produce their proofs, but they
were, <I>as polluted, put from the priesthood.</I> Now that the priests
had recovered their rights, and had the altar to live upon again, they
would gladly be looked upon as priests. But they had sold their
birthright for the honour of being gentlemen, and therefore were justly
degraded, and forbidden to <I>eat of the most holy things.</I> Note,
Christ will be ashamed of those that are ashamed of him and his
service. It was the tirshatha, or governor, that put them under this
sequestration, which some understand of Zerubbabel the present
governor, others of Nehemiah (who is so called,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:9,10:1">Neh. viii. 9, x. 1</A>,
and who gave this order when he came some years after); but the
prohibition was not absolute, it was only a suspension, till there
should be a high priest <I>with Urim and Thummin,</I> by whom they
might know God's mind in this matter. This, it seems, was expected and
desired, but it does not appear that ever they were blessed with it
under the second temple. They had the canon of the Old Testament
complete, which was better than Urim; and, by the want of that oracle,
they were taught to expect the Messiah the great Oracle, which the Urim
and Thummim was but a type of. Nor does it appear that the second
temple had the ark in it, either the old one or a new one. Those
shadows by degrees vanished, as the substance approached; and God, by
the prophet, intimates to his people that they should sustain no damage
by the want of the ark,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+3:16,17">Jer. iii. 16, 17</A>.
<I>In those days,</I> when <I>they shall call Jerusalem the throne of
the Lord,</I> and <I>all the nations shall be gathered</I> to it, they
shall <I>say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord, neither
shall it come to mind,</I> for they shall do very well without it.</P>
<A NAME="Ezr2_64"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_65"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_66"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_67"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_68"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_69"> </A>
<A NAME="Ezr2_70"> </A>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>64 The whole congregation together <I>was</I> forty and two thousand
three hundred <I>and</I> threescore,
&nbsp; 65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom <I>there were</I>
seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and <I>there were</I>
among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
&nbsp; 66 Their horses <I>were</I> seven hundred thirty and six; their
mules, two hundred forty and five;
&nbsp; 67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; <I>their</I> asses,
six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
&nbsp; 68 And <I>some</I> of the chief of the fathers, when they came to
the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> which <I>is</I> at Jerusalem, offered freely for
the house of God to set it up in his place:
&nbsp; 69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work
threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand
pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
&nbsp; 70 So the priests, and the Levites, and <I>some</I> of the people,
and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in
their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here is,
I. The sum total of the company that returned out of Babylon. The
particular sums before mentioned amount not quite to 30,000 (29,818),
so that there were above 12,000 that come out into any of those
accounts, who, it is probable, were of the rest of the tribes of
Israel, besides Judah and Benjamin, that could not tell of what
particular family or city they were, but that they were Israelites, and
of what tribe. Now,
1. This was more than double the number that were carried captive into
Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, so that, as in Egypt, the time of their
affliction was the time of their increase.
2. These were but few to begin a nation with, and yet, by virtue of the
old promise made to their fathers, they multiplied so as before their
last destruction by the Romans, about 500 years after, to be a very
numerous people. When God says, "Increase and multiply," <I>a little
one shall become a thousand.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Their retinue. They were themselves little better than servants,
and therefore no wonder that their servants were comparatively but few
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:65"><I>v.</I> 65</A>)
and their beasts of burden about as many,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:66,67"><I>v.</I> 66, 67</A>.
It was not with them now as in days past. But notice is taken of 200
<I>singing-men and women</I> whom they had among them, who, we will
suppose, were intended (as those
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+35:25">2 Chron. xxxv. 25</A>)
to excite <I>their mourning,</I> for it was foretold that they should,
upon this occasion, <I>go weeping</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+50:4">Jer. l. 4</A>),
with ditties of lamentation.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. Their oblations. It is said
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:68,69"><I>v.</I> 68, 69</A>),
1. That they <I>came to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem;</I> and yet
that house, that holy and beautiful house, was now in ruins, a heap of
rubbish. But, like their father Abraham, when the altar was gone they
came with devotion to <I>the place of the altar</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+13:4">Gen. xiii. 4</A>);
and it is the character of the genuine sons of Zion that they favour
even <I>the dust thereof,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:14">Ps. cii. 14</A>.
2. That they offered freely towards the <I>setting of it up in its
place.</I> That, it seems, was the first house they talked of setting
up; and though they came off a journey, and were beginning the world
(two chargeable things), yet they offered, and offered freely, towards
the building of the temple. Let none complain of the necessary expenses
of their religion, but believe that when they come to balance the
account they will find that it clears the cost. Their offering was
nothing in comparison with the offerings of the princes in David's
time; then they offered by talents
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+29:7">1 Chron. xxix. 7</A>),
now by drams, yet these drams, being after their ability, were as
acceptable to God as those talents, like the widow's two mites. The
61,000 drams of gold amount, by Cumberland's calculation, to so many
pounds of our money and so many groats. Every maneh, or pound of
silver, he reckons to be sixty shekels (that is, thirty ounces), which
we may reckon 7<I>l.</I> 10<I>s.</I> of our money, so that this 5000
pounds of silver will be above 37,000<I>l.</I> of our money. It seems,
God had blessed them with an increase of their wealth, as well as of
their numbers, in Babylon; and, as God had prospered them, they gave
cheerfully to the service of his house.
3. That they <I>dwelt in their cities,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:70"><I>v.</I> 70</A>.
Though their cities were out of repair, yet, because they were their
cities, such as God had assigned them, they were content to dwell in
them, and were thankful for liberty and property, though they had
little of pomp, plenty, or power. Their poverty was a bad cause, but
their unity and unanimity were a good effect of it. Here was room
enough for them all and all their substance, so that there was no
strife among them, but perfect harmony, a blessed presage of their
settlement, as their discords in the latter times of that state were of
their ruin.</P>
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