Ezra 1:1-11

1:1

first <0259> [Now in the.]

Cyrus ..................... Cyrus <03566> [Cyrus.]

Cyrus is said to have been the son of Cambyses, king of Persia, and Mandane, daughter of Astyages, king of Media: he was born about 600 years before Christ, and died at the age of 70, after a reign of 30 years. He was mentioned by name, and his conquests foretold, by the prophet Isaiah, about a century before his birth. Josephus states the partiality he evinced towards the Jews, arose from the circumstance of these prophecies being shown him, probably by Daniel.

spoken <06310> [by the mouth.]

Lord's ....... Lord <03068> [the Lord.]

disseminated <05674> [made a proclamation. Heb. caused a voice to pass.]

1:2

Lord God <0430 03068> [Lord God.]

given <05414> [hath given.]

kingdoms <04467> [all the kingdoms.]

According to the testimony of ancient writers, Cyrus, at this time, reigned over the Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Syrians, Assyrians, Indians, etc., and all lesser Asia.

instructed <06485> [he hath charged.]

1:3

God ...................... God ....... God <0430> [his God.]

God ...................... God ....... God <0430> [he is the God.]

1:4

<0582> [let the men.]

helped ...... silver <05375 03701> [help him. Heb. lift him up.]

voluntary offerings <05071> [the freewill.]

1:5

mind <07307> [whose spirit.]

1:6

assisted <03027 02388> [strengthened their hands. that is, helped them.]

voluntary <05068> [willingly offered.]

1:7

Cyrus <03566> [Also Cyrus.]

Nebuchadnezzar <05019> [Nebuchadnezzar.]

1:8

Sheshbazzar <08339> [Sheshbazzar.]

1:9

gold basins .... basins <0105 02091> [chargers of gold.]

29 <08672> [nine.]

1:11

vessels <03627> [the vessels.]

5,400 <0505 02568> [five thousand.]

Instead of 5,400, the enumeration of the articles in ver. 9, 10, only amounts to 2,499; but in the account, Esdras 2:13, 14, the amount is 5,469, as will be evident from the following statements: In Ezra. In Esdras. Gold chargers..... 30 Gold cups......... 1,000 Silver ditto...... 1,000 Silver cups....... 1,000 Knives............ 29 Silver censers.... 29 Gold basons....... 30 Gold vials........ 30 Silver ditto...... 410 Silver vials...... 2,410 Other vessels..... 1,000 Other vessels..... 1,000 _____ _____ Said to be........ 5,400 Total............. 5,469 But only.......... 2,499 _____ _____ Deficiency........ 2,901 Surplus........... 69 It is supposed that they actually amounted to 5,400, but that only the chief of them were specified, the spoons, etc. being omitted.

captives <01473> [captivity. Heb. transportation.]