661 lines
28 KiB
HTML
661 lines
28 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
|
|
<HEAD>
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Ezra, Chapter II].</TITLE>
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
|
</HEAD>
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
|
</h3>
|
|
</center>
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15001.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15003.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_2"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_3"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_4"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_34"> </A>
|
|
<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>
|
|
<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;
|
|
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:
|
|
3 The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and
|
|
two.
|
|
4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
|
|
5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
|
|
6 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua <I>and</I>
|
|
Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
|
|
7 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
|
|
8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
|
|
9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
|
|
10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
|
|
11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
|
|
12 The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and
|
|
two.
|
|
13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
|
|
14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
|
|
15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
|
|
16 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
|
|
17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
|
|
18 The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.
|
|
19 The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
|
|
20 The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
|
|
21 The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
|
|
22 The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
|
|
23 The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
|
|
24 The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
|
|
25 The children of Kirjath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven
|
|
hundred and forty and three.
|
|
26 The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
|
|
27 The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
|
|
28 The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
|
|
29 The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
|
|
30 The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
|
|
31 The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty
|
|
and four.
|
|
32 The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
|
|
33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty
|
|
and five.
|
|
34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
|
|
35 The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and
|
|
thirty.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_51"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_52"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_53"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr2_54"> </A>
|
|
<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>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of
|
|
Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
|
|
37 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
|
|
38 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and
|
|
seven.
|
|
39 The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
|
|
40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the
|
|
children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
|
|
41 The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and
|
|
eight.
|
|
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.
|
|
43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of
|
|
Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
|
|
44 The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children
|
|
of Padon,
|
|
45 The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the
|
|
children of Akkub,
|
|
46 The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children
|
|
of Hanan,
|
|
47 The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children
|
|
of Reaiah,
|
|
48 The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children
|
|
of Gazzam,
|
|
49 The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children
|
|
of Besai,
|
|
50 The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children
|
|
of Nephusim,
|
|
51 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the
|
|
children of Harhur,
|
|
52 The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the
|
|
children of Harsha,
|
|
53 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children
|
|
of Thamah,
|
|
54 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
|
|
55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai,
|
|
the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
|
|
56 The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children
|
|
of Giddel,
|
|
57 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the
|
|
children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
|
|
58 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants,
|
|
<I>were</I> three hundred ninety and two.
|
|
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:
|
|
60 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the
|
|
children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
|
|
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:
|
|
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.
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>64 The whole congregation together <I>was</I> forty and two thousand
|
|
three hundred <I>and</I> threescore,
|
|
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.
|
|
66 Their horses <I>were</I> seven hundred thirty and six; their
|
|
mules, two hundred forty and five;
|
|
67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; <I>their</I> asses,
|
|
six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
|
|
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:
|
|
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.
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15001.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15003.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Ezra_II.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
|
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
</BODY>
|
|
</HTML>
|