Ezra 8:31
Ver. 31. Then we departed from the river of Ahava, on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem,.... The month Nisan, answering to part of March and part of April; this was two days before the passover began:
and the hand of our God was upon us; guiding, directing, and protecting them by his providence:
and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way; either by intimidating them, that they dared not attack them, or by directing them to take a different road, whereby they escaped them, see Ezr 8:22. Ezra 8:32Ver. 32. And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. Before they went about any business, delivered what was committed to them for the use of the temple, and the commissions to the king's officers; as it was but proper they should have some rest after such a fatiguing journey. Ezra 8:33Ver. 33. Now on the fourth day,.... After their arrival at Jerusalem:was the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, weighed in the house of our God; the temple, that it might be seen and known that the exact weight which had been deposited with them was now faithfully delivered:this was done by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; these were priests:and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; two priests and two Levites; for since there were of both that were charged with the above things, it was proper there should be some of both, when weighed, that they might be witnesses of their fidelity. Ezra 8:34Ver. 34. By number and by weight of everyone,.... They were delivered in by tale and weight, which exactly agreed to the number and weight in which they received them:and all the weight was written at that time; an account was taken in writing, and laid up, that it might not only be known hereafter what freewill offerings had been made in Babylon, but that it might be a voucher for the fidelity and integrity of those that brought them, should it ever be called in question. Ezra 8:35Ver. 35. Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity,.... Namely, those that now came along with Ezra:offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel; by way of thankfulness for their deliverance from captivity, and for their safe journey:twelve bullocks for all Israel: according to the number of the tribes; and there might be some of every tribe that now came up:ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs; these and the bullocks were burnt offerings:twelve he goats for a sin offering; according to the number of the twelve tribes, also to make atonement for sins they had been guilty of:all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord; excepting the twelve he goats, which were a sin offering. Ezra 8:36Ver. 36. And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river,.... The governors of the provinces of Syria, Palestine, and Judea, which were on that side of Euphrates the land of Israel was:and they furthered the people, and the house of God; or "lifted them up" {i}, eased them of all burdens, and freed them from all impediments, and assisted them and furnished them with everything, as the decree of Artaxerxes enjoined them; and provided everything as they required for ornamenting the temple, and for the sacrifices of it; all which is to be understood of the king's lieutenants and governors, who obeyed his commands.{i} wavnw "elevaverunt", V. L. Piscator; "exaltaverunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "sublevarunt", Junius & Tremellius.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible.