Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Ezra

Observations Upon the Old Testament · Commentary · Ezra

p. 132Ezra.

THE Book of Ezra contains an History of seventy years; viz. from the first of Cyrus, or his Proclamation, chap. I. 1. to the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus; upon this Accompt; viz. Cyrus, seven; Cambyses, seven; Smerdis, one; Darius Hystaspis, thirty six; Xerxes, twelve; of Artaxerxes Longimanus, seven, where Ezra end. Or, premising two of Darius Medus before Cyrus, it comes to seventy two. The four last Chapters containe the History but of that one year concerning Ezra, which was in that seventh year of Artaxerxes. See chap. VII. 7, 9. and chap. VIII. 15, 21, 31, 32, 33. and chap. X. 8, 9, 16, 17. But the six first Chapters are extended by some, otherwise learned men, yet upon lesse probable grounds, to a farre larger scope of time; even to one hundered thirty eight, or one hundred fourty five years: And they end the Book with the nineteenth year of Artaxerxes Mnemon; which seemes cleane contrary to the Text, chap. VII. 7, 8.

For the clearer knowledge of divers things in this Book; as likewise in Nehemy, and Esther; A Catalogue of the Persian Monarchs, and of the years of their Reignes is very useful: which out of the best Authors, with very little variation, may be as followeth;

And so the Persian Monarchy continued two hundred and eight years; or there about.

In this Book of Ezra there is mention made of six Persian Monarchs; first, of Cyrus, chap. I. 1. secondly, of Darius ch. IV. 5. thirdly, of Ahasuerus, chap. IV. 6. fourthly of Artaxerxes, chap. IV. 7. fifthly, of another Darius, chap. IV. 24. and chap. V. 5, 6. sixthly, of another Axtaxerxes, chap. VII. 1. Or rather thus; Of five Persian p. 133Monarchs, viz: ¹ of Cyrus; ² of Ahasuerus; ³ of Artaxerces; 4 of Darius, taking him mentioned, chap. IV. ver. ⁵. 24. and Chap. V. 5, 6. and chap. VI. 15. to be the same man. And 5 of another Artaxerxes. And the Persons of these by sundry learned men are sundry wayes understood. Some take the first Darius to be Darius Hystaspis; Ahasuerus, to be Xerxes; the first Artaxerxes to be Artaxerxes Longimanus; the second Darius, to be Darius Ochus and Nothus; the second Artaxerxes, to be Artaxerxes Mnemon or Memor. Others take Ahasuerus to be Cambyses; Artaxerxes to be Artashasta or Smyrdis Magnus; Darius not two, but one, to be Darius Hystaspis; and the second Artaxerxes, to be Artaxerxes Longimanus. This diversity is occasioned by the silence of Scripture, and uncertainties of Heathen Greek Histories: yet this later opinion I the rather imbrace, for that it stands best with the ages of Ze…ubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Mordecai.

Ezra a childe, when his father Serajah, the High Priest, chap. VII. 1. was slaine at Riblah by Nebuchadnezar, 2 Kings XXV. 18, 21. And his brother Jehozadak, the succeeding High Priest, was carried into Captivity, 1 Chron. VI. 14, 15. And his sonne Jeshua, or Joshua, or Jehoshua, the High Priest, the sonne of Jehozadak, or Josedech; Neh. XII. 1. Ezra III. 2, 8. and V. 2. Zech. VI. 11. came up with Zerubbabel. And this Ezra came up from Babylon, in the seventh of Artaxerxes, with a gracious Commission, Ezra VII. VIII. IX. X. chapters. And he was with Nehemiah, after the building of the Walls of Jerusalem; at that solemne Reading of the Law, and Preaching: and at that singular keeping of the Feast of Tabernacles, Neh. VIII. 1,—6, 9, 13. &c And after the Feast, chap. IX. and X. at the Dedication of the Walls, chap. XII. 26, 36. So that upon the least accompt, He must live upon one hundred and fifty years, that is fifty three or sixty before the Returne from Babylon; twenty three to the Building of the Temple; sixty seven to the Dedication of the Walls of the Citie. But upon the larger, and more improbable accompt, he must live at least two hundred and twenty years. He was a ready Scribe in the Law of God, chap. VII. 6, 11. And is generaly reputed the holy Pen-man likewise of the Books of Chronicles; And, as some would, of the Books of Nehemiah, and Malachi also. And is taken by many to be the restorer and orderer, after the returne from the Babylonish Captivity of all the Books of the Old Testament, in that sort, and posture, and character also, wherein now we have them.

Now in the first year] Hebr. chapter I verse 1 And in one year. Thus coupling his Book with the end of Chronicles. As the like is in the beginning of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, and many other Books. See moreover the Annotations on Ezek. I. 1.

One for First is an usual Scripture phrase.

And First here, is of his Conquest of Babylon, and of his reigne there: For he was King of Persia, not Monarch, many years before, chap. V. 13.

p. 134Charged me] Esay XLIV. verse 2 28. and XLV. 1, 13. This prophesie might likely be shewed to Cyrus, by Daniel or some other.

vessels] Such as were not cut in pieces, verse 7 2 Kings XXIV. 13.

Sheshbazzar] The Chaldee or Court-name of Zerubbabel, Ezra I. verse 8 8. and III. 8, 10. and V. 2, 14. As Belteshazzar was of Daniel. The same work that is ascribed to Sheshbazzar, chap. V. 16. is ascribed to Zerubbabel, Zech. IV. 9.

were five thousand four hundred] This number ariseth out of the particular numbers formerly mentioned, verse 11 amounting to two thousand four hundred ninety nine, and the rest that were unnumbered. Moreover are vessels given, chap. VII. 19. and chap. VIII. 25, 27, See the carrying of them away by Nebuchadnezzar, at four several times, Dan. I. 2. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 7, 10, 18.

Province] Judah no Kingdome now; chapter II verse 1 but made a Province by the Conquerour. See chap. V. 8. Neh. I. 3. and chap. VII. 6. and XI. 3.

which came] The manifold variations for Names, verse 2,—60. and Numbers in this Register and Catalogue, and that Nehemie VII. may arise from the diversity of names given to one man. And from this, That the one was taken at their setting out from Babylon, viz. this Ezra II. The other upon their coming to Judea and Jerusalem, Neh. VII. And so some might come to Jerusalem which had not registred their names in Babylon: and some might register their names in Babylon which yet came not up to Jerusalem, either changing their mindes to stay in Babylon, or dying by the way. Or else that in Nehemie might be applied to the persons that were living and remaining in the Land of Judah in his time, or else it might be taken out of some other Register besides this in Ezra. The numbers of them that returned with Zerubbabel in this Catalogue, Ezra II. and in that Catalogue, Neh. VII. 6—62. fall farre short of that total summe, both in Ezra and Nehemy, which is said to be fourty two thousand three hundred and sixty, besides seven thousand three hundred thirty seven more of servants and Proselites, Ezra II. 64, 65. Neh. VII. 66, 67. The number wanting seems to be supplied out of those Ezra II. 62. and out of the Relicts of the ten Tribes, that were both captivated, and returned with them of Judah, and are not numericaly set down, yet after the Returne, continued among them, and professed their Religion, even till the coming of our Saviour, and the final destruction of Jerusalem. See 2 Chron. XI. 3, 16. and XXXI. 6. Ezra II. 70. and VI 16, 17. Matt. IV. 14. Luke II. 36. Acts II. 5. and XXVI. 7. Of those which came up with Ezra, see chap. VIII. 1,—14.

Tirshatha] Tirshatha signifying Governour in their tongue seemes attributed here to Zerubbabel: verse 63 And is after to Nehemiah expressely, Neh. VIII. ver. 9. and chap. X. 1.

Urim] See the Observations on 1 Sam. XXIII. 9.

the whole] Many more returned, verse 64 then those upon record that were carried into captivity.

p. 135Singing men, verse 65 and singing women] Most likely such as were used, not in the Temple, but elsewhere, for mirth, as 2 Sam. XIX. 35. Eccles. II. 8. Esay XXIII. 16. Amos VI. 5. and for mourning, as 2 Chron. XXXV. 25. Jer. IX. 17, 18. Eccles. XII. 5. Amos V. 16.

seventh monethmonth] Ver. chapter III verse 1 6. In this monethmonth, the first day, they first offered sacrifice on the new built after their returne from the Babylonish captivity. And in the same monethmonth of the year was the solemn Dedication of Solomons Temple, 1 Kings VIII. 2.

In the second year of their coming] They prepare for the building of the Temple; verse 8 or rather having formerly prepared, they now begin the building.

wept with a loud voice] Many ancient men that had seene the former Temple, verse 12 which was burnt but fifty two years before, wept at the laying of the foundation of this Temple; either at the remembrance of the wondrous glory of the former Temple so burnt and consumed; and considering the small Preparations, and Meanes, for the building, and furnishing of this, Ezra I. 4, 6, 68, 69. and chap. VI. 8, 9. and chap. VII. 15,—22. and chap. VIII. 25, 26, 27. 33, 34. Neh. VII. 70, 71, 72. in comparison of those for the former Temple; Hag. II. 3. In which case God comforts them, Hag. II. 7, 9. Zech. IV. 6,—10. and VIII. 6, 9. Mal. III. 1. Or else, seeing these foundation-stones not so goodly and precious, as those were known to be that were in Solomons Temple, 1 Kings VII. 9, 10. For as for the largenesse and compasse of the foundation, it was not inferiour to that of Solomons, 1 Kings VI. 2. Yea far superiour, if that Decree of Cyrus, and the record of it found by Darius, Ezra VI. 1, 2, 3. mistake not; and the Cubits be the same.

Esar-haddon] The sonne of Sennacherib, chapter IV verse 2 2 Kings XIX. 37. and grandchild of Salmaneser: And this seemes to be the last of the Assyrian Kings; And the same with Asnapper; and to be him that carried Manasseh prisoner to Babylon, then under the Assyrian Empire, 2 Chron. XXXIII. 11. And is likely the man whom Ptolomie calls Assaradinus, and the Greeks Sardanapalus, of Sar for Esar, haddon, and Pul; Pul being much used in the names of the Assyrian, and Chaldean Kings.

Brought us up hither So that those adversaries, ver. 1. seeme to be the race of those Samaritanes brought in by Salmanesar, 2 Kings XVII. 6, 24. Or a second kinde of plantation by his grandchilde, ver. 9. which ever continued fierce enemies to the Jewes, whatever they mischeivously pretend here, John IV. 9. Luke IX. 52, 53. And this makes that Answer returned to them here, ver. 3.

Darius] Hystaspis

Ahasuerus] Ahasuerus seemes most probably to be the man whom Heathen Authors call Smerdis Magus, verse 5 the sonne of Cyrus, and younger brother of Cambyses, verse 6 reigning a very short time.

Artaxerxes] As they had formerly done in the dayes of this Artaxerxes; verse 7 who most likely is Cambyses. For to understand this of Artaxerxes Longimanus, and much more of Artaxerxes Mnemon; And p. 136the Temple to be builded in the dayes of Darius Nothus, and much more of Darius Ochus, will no wayes stand with these Scriptures, and the notation of times contained in them, Zech. III. 9. and Hag. II. 3.

Syrian tongue] Hebr. Aramite. This was in ordinary use under the Assvrian, Chaldean, and Persian Monarchy, Esay XXXVI. 11. Dan. II. 4. This we commonly call the Chaldee tongue. It differs from the Hebrew Dialect, Esay XXVIII. 11. and chap. XXXIII. 13. and XXXVI. 11. Yet in the dayes of our Saviour it grew common among the Jewes also; and is in that regard called the Hebrew tongue in the New Testament, John XIX. 13, 17. Acts XXI 40. and XXII. 2.

Rehum] This, verse 8 and all the rest to chap. VI. 19. is penned in the Chaldee Dialect. And so chap. VII. 11, -27.

building the rebellious and the bad Citie] So ver. verse 12 13. and 16. They only went about to build the Temple.

the river] So chap. V. 6. Jordan, verse 16 or rather Euphrates, ver. 17. and 20. From Persia, it is beyond the river.

work of the House of God] Though their Letter, verse 24 and the Kings Answer mention only the Citie, yet they extend it here to the House of God.

Zechariah] He is called the sonne. chapter V verse 1 of Iddo; And Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel, ver. 2. And they were indeed their grandchildren, Zech. I. 1. 1 Chron. III. 17, 18, 19.

Tatnai] He, verse 6 and Shethar-boznai deale more fairly and truly with the Jews in their letter to Darius, then Rehum, and Shimsai did in theirs to Artaxerxes, chap. IV. 12,—16. And they make mention only of the House of God, and not of the Citie.

untill now] But hindered and inhibited in the meane time, verse 16 chap. IV. 21, 22.

in Babylon] Or concerning Babylon. chapter VI verse 1

Achmetha] Called by Heathen Authors Ecbatana: signifying a Summer seat for coole refreshing; verse 2 In which Citie the Kings of Media kept their Court in the Summer season.

threescore Cubits] Cubits likely are taken here for common Cubits half the length of sacred Cubits; verse 3 which sacred Cubits were unknowne to Heathen. And the number of them may be reckoned from the bottome of the foundation to the top on the outside; and from the outsides of the Temple, including the thicknesse of the walls, and of the Chambers adjoyning. And so this Temple will be lesse then Solomons, 1 Kings VI. 2. 2 Chron. III. 3. according to that Hag. II. 3. See the Annotations on this text: and the Observations on Ch. III. 12.

three rowes] This relates to the Courts of the Temple. verse 4

Let timber] The great zeale of this King for the Temple, verse 11 appears in this, and other passages and Decrees, in this his Letter.

Artaxerxes] Likely one of the seven that put down Smerdis Magus, and in a sort, verse 14 at the beginning was fellow in Empire with Darius Hystaspides.

p. 137finished] About twenty two years after their Returne: verse 15 about twenty, since the foundation was laid.

Offered] not comparable to that, verse 17 1 Kings VIII. 5, 63. 2 Chron. VII. 5. 7.

And the children] From this verse to Chap. VII. ver. 11. the Text again is Hebrew. verse 19

Killed] Each family, verse 20 or master of family must not kill it themselves; as they did in Egypt; But Gods Ministers, Priests and Levites, must do it, 2. Chron. XXX. 15, 16, 17.

separated themselves unto them] Heathen Proselytes. verse 21

King of Assyria] See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXI. 2. verse 22

Artaxerxes] chapter VII verse 1 Longimanus.

Ezra] See the Observations touching him in the beginning of this his Book.

Azariah] Six generations here omitted; verse 3 1 Chron. VI. ver. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. And three generations omitted between Jeroam and Pashur, 1 Chron. IX. 12. compared with Neh. XI. 12. And so three generations are omitted between Joram and Ozias, Matth. I. 8 And all done for brevity sake; conceiving those Omissions to be things evidently known, or not so material to be there inserted.

King granted] Ezra's extraordinary power and authority was from the Kings grant, verse 6 and not otherwayes.

went up] So backward were the Jewes in returning back to Judea after the Proclamation of Cyrus: yea, verse 7 the Priests and Levites themselves. See Esther VIII. 8, 9.

first] Four moneths in going. verse 9

King of Kings] Ezek. XXVI. 7. Dan. II. 37. verse 12 This whole Letter is in the Chaldean tongue.

seven Counsellors] So Esther I. 14. verse 14

freely offered] great zeale, verse 15 and forwardnesse here; ver. 20—26. and 28. and chap. 8. 25, 26, 27. as was formerly in Darius, chap. VI. 11.

canst finde] Grants him a free Collection, verse 16 and what he can get and gather by it.

not lawfull to impose] Artaxerxes gives Ezra the Priest a grant and power for an immunity of the Clergy; verse 24 and for setting and appointing Civil Magistrates and Judges. See the Observations on 1 Chron. XXVI. 29.

Males] In all, chapter VIII verse 14 1496.

Ahava] A river, verse 15 ver. 21, 31. a few dayes journey distant from Babylon, in the way to Jerusalem, ver. 15, 17 21. 31.

Levi] Levites here distinguished from the Priests, verse 17 chap. VII. 7.

Casiphia] Not very farre from Ahava: verse 17 but farre enough from the Caspian Sea.

Nethinims] See the Observations on Josh. verse 20 IX. 23.

a Fast] A good patterne here. verse 21 See the Annotations on Joel I. 14. and on Jonah III. 5.

Talents] See the Observations on Exod. XXXVIII. 24. verse 26

p. 138fine Copper precious as Gold] Rare this; verse 27 and so but two of them.

in the chambers] Divers of the Chambers on the sides or walls of the Temple, verse 29 were for Treasuries, to keep the holy treasures appertaining to the Temple, and service of God.

their daughters] Of marriages with Heathens, chapter IX verse 2 see the Observations on Num. XXXVI. 6. yea more, it may seeme they put away their own wives to take these, Mal. II. 11. 13.

weeping] Weeping in Prayer, chapter X verse 1 twise here. So 2 Kings XX. 3. and XXII. 19. Num. XXV. 6. Judg. XX. 23, 26. and XXI. 2. 1 Sam. I. 10. and VII. 6. 2 Kings XX. 3. Heb. V. 7. Psal. VI. 8. and XXXIX. 12.

a Covenant] Covenants much used between God and his People, verse 3 Gen. VI. 18. and XV. 18. and XVII. 2. Deut. V. 2. Josh. XXIV. 24. 2 Kings XI. 17. and XXIII. 3. 2 Chron. XV. 12. and XXIX. 10. Neh. IX. 38. Esay LIX. 21.

and such as were borne of them] If the mothers continued Heathens, and did not turne Proselytes; their children were not to be reputed as free-borne sons, in the number of Gods people; yet the fathers were to have a fatherly care of them, for maintenance and education.

forfeited] According to that power given to Ezra, chap. VII. 26. verse 8

separated] By excommunication; as John IX. 22, 34. or by banishment, chap. VII. 26.

ninth monethmonth, twentieth day] Therefore the Proclamation, verse 9 ver. 7, 8, was on the ninth monethmonth, seventeenth day, about the beginning of our December.

of one day or two] But of three moneths, verse 13 ver. 16, 17.

Our Rulers of all the Congregation] Such as Deut. XVII. 9. verse 14 In semblance whereof in after ages they builded their Sanedrin, and great Councel.

examine] foreign a word beside all ordinary forme of Grammer. verse 16 And the like is again Psal. X. 15.

sonnes of Jeshua] of the High Priests race; which haply made the High Priest absent himself in this action, verse 18 ver. 15.

All these] Seventeen Priests; verse 44 Of the Levites, Singers, and Porters ten, of all other Tribes, eighty six. In all, one hundred and thirteen, as the great Annotations count them.