THE PROVINCE - Judaea was no longer a kingdom, but a mere “province” of Persia. “The children of the province” are the Israelites who returned to Palestine, as distinct from those who remained in Babylonia and Persia. EVERY ONE UNTO HIS CITY - That is, to the city whereto his forefathers had belong... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NETHINIMS - The hieroduli or sacred slaves, “given” to the Levites to assist them in their work (see 1 Chronicles 9:2 note).... [ Continue Reading ]
Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, were probably cities, or villages, of Babylonia, at which the Jews here spoken of had been settled. The first and third have been reasonably identified with the Thelme and Chiripha of Ptolemy. Of the rest, nothing is known at present.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIRSHATHA - i. e., Zerubbabel. See margin. The word is probably old Persian, though it does not occur in the cuneiform inscriptions. Some derive it from a root “to fear.” See the introduction to the Book of Ezra, first note. A PRIEST WITH URIM AND WITH THUMMIM - See Exodus 28:30 note. According... [ Continue Reading ]
The sum total is given without any variation by Ezra, by Nehemiah (see the marginal reference), and by Esdras (1 Esdras 5:41), who adds, that in this reckoning only those of twelve years of age and upward were counted. It is curious that the total 42,360, is so greatly in excess of the items. Ezra’... [ Continue Reading ]
The numbers here and in Nehemiah (see the marginal reference) vary.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL ISRAEL - That the Israelites of the ten tribes returned to Palestine with Zerubbabel is apparent: (1) from 1 Chronicles 9:3; (2) from the enumeration of twelve chiefs (Nehemiah 7:7; Nehemiah 1 Esd. 5:8); and (3) from various expressions in Ezra Ezra 2:2, Ezra 2:59; Ezra 3:1.... [ Continue Reading ]