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Ezra >
Exposition >
II. THE SECOND RETURN UNDER EZRA chs. 7--10 >
A. The Return to Jerusalem CHS. 7-8 >
2. The journey itself ch. 8 >
Safe arrival 8:31-36
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The exiles had begun their journey on the first day of the first month (7:9), but they had camped by the Ahava waterway for 12 days (8:31). They arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month (7:9). God kept them safe on their dangerous trip. All their valuable cargo arrived safely.
Burnt offerings represented the consecration of the worshippers' persons to God (Lev. 1; 6:8-13). Sin offerings provided atonement (covering) for the worshippers' sinful natures (Lev. 4:1-5:13; 6; 24-30).
A satrap (v. 36; lit. protector of the realm) ruled over governors in the Persian governmental structure.
