To seek of him a right way for us. — The wilderness was now before them, and an enemy, indefinitely referred to, was in the way: probably desert tribes, always lying in wait for unprotected caravans.
Our little ones. — An intimation that whole households went up.
Our substance. — Chiefly the treasures for the Temple, though the term signifies cattle and other goods, with an undertone of abundance.
CHAPTER 8 _ 1. Those who returned with Ezra (Ezra 8:1)_ 2. The gathering at Ahava (Ezra 8:15) 3. The fast proclaimed (Ezra 8:21) 4. The appointment of guardians ...
THE GATHERING TOGETHER OF THE EXILES AT AHAVA. The narrative is told here in the first person. Ezra 8:15. Ahava: _cf._ Ezra 8:21; Ezra 8:31; this seems to have been a place which gave its name to one...
The Events of the Journey 21 30. Preparations for the journey. (_a_) 21 23. The rendezvous and solemn fast at Ahava 21. _I proclaimed a fast_ For "fasting" see also on Ezra 9:3; Ezra 10:6. Here howev...
_VER._ 21. _I PROCLAIMED A FAST_— They had the greater reason to do this, because they carried with them things of considerable value, were apprehensive of enemies who lay in wait for them, and were a...
3. Leave-taking ceremonies were conducted. TEXT, EZRA 8:21-23 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey...
_THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE, AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT AFFLICT OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD, TO SEEK OF HIM A RIGHT WAY FOR US, AND FOR OUR LITTLE ONES, AND FOR ALL OUR SUBSTANCE._ Then I...
8:21 humble (b-14) Or 'afflict.' right (c-24) Or 'plain.'...
PARTICULARS OF EZRA'S COMPANY 1. Them that went up] The sum of the numbers given is 1,496. Only males are mentioned, and if no women accompanied them, the absence of such doubtless increased the tend...
THE *JEWS RETURN TO JERUSALEM EZRA _ROBERT BRYCE_ CHAPTER 8 V1 This is the list of the families and the chief men in the families. They came with me from Babylonia during the rule of King Artaxerx...
וָ אֶקְרָ֨א שָׁ֥ם צֹום֙ עַל ־הַ נָּהָ֣ר
UNITED PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE Ezra 8:1 The number of men who accompanied Ezra amounted to 1754, but the women and children would bring up the gross total to about 7000. The lack of Levites was very seri...
In this chapter we have, first, a representative list of those who joined Ezra when he went up to Jerusalem. First in order, members of the priestly and royal houses are named (verses Ezr 8:1-2). Then...
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict (f) ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. (f) H...
_Fast it seems for eight days, so that they departed on the 12th, ver. 31. (Menochius) --- It will not suffice to leave sin, we must also do works of satisfaction. (Worthington)_...
The prophet Jeremiah had predicted of the manner in which the people should return, both the dispersed of Judah and Jerusalem; going and weeping. Jeremiah 50:4. Ezra therefore, in a most pious manner,...
THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 7 AND 8. Alas! this was not the end of the history. God, in His goodness, must still watch over the unfaithfulness and the failures of His people, even when t...
THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE, AT THE RIVER AHAVA,.... After the messengers to Iddo were returned with those they brought with them: THAT WE MIGHT AFFLICT OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD; humble themselves...
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. Ver. 21....
_Then I proclaimed a fast there_ Ezra had procured Levites to go along with him, but what would that avail unless he had God with him? this is therefore his chief care. No doubt he had himself begged...
1 The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon. 15 He sendeth to Iddo for ministers for the Temple. 21 He keepeth a fast. 24 He committeth the treasures to the custodie of the Priests. 31 Fro...
The Priests Entrusted With The Lord's Treasures...
Then I proclaimed a fast there, in preparation for the journey, its purpose being to implore from God safety amidst the many and various dangers of the desert, AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT AFF...
A LIST OF EZRA'S COMPANIONS (vv. 1-14) Those who voluntarily came to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem are recorded here, the men numbering almost 1500. Women also must have been present, but are not ment...
21-23 Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers; but thos...
A RIGHT WAY, i.e. a safe and prosperous journey; or such a way and course as might be best for us....
Ezra 8:21 proclaimed H7121 (H8799) fast H6685 river H5104 Ahava H163 humble H6031 (H8692) before H6440 God...
EZRA GATHERS THE RETURNEES IN ORDER TO PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY ON THE JOURNEY (EZRA 8:21). The people who were returning with Ezra having all gathered (although it may have commenced before the Levites...
CONTENTS: List of Ezra's companions and his visit to Jerusalem. Treasure placed in the temple. CHARACTERS: God, Ezra, Sherebeah, Hashabiah, Meremoth, Eleazar, Jozabad, Noadiah. CONCLUSION: God's serv...
Ezra 8:15. _The river that runneth to Ahava,_ or the river of Diavam. Adiabena is a remote region, according to Boiste, in Assyria, and contiguous to Parthia: but whether the city and river of Ahava w...
_Then I proclaimed a fast there._ PRAYER AND FASTING (preached on the occasion of a public fast):-- I. That the best means to procure success upon our counsels and endeavours is to seek God for his...
EZRA 8:1 Ezra Journeys to Jerusalem with a New Wave of Returnees, Bearing Royal Gifts for the Temple. This section gives a more extended account of Ezra’s return to Jerusalem. Readers learn of those w...
EZRA—NOTE ON EZRA 8:21 A FAST. Fasting had become important in the exile as a way of expressing repentance (see Nehemiah 9:1;...
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.] This chapter contains—(i.) A list of the heads of houses, with the number of adult males accompanying each of them, who went with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezra...
EXPOSITION EZRA 8:21 THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE. The fight of the civil ruler to "proclaim a fast" was unquestioned among the Jews and Israelites. Jezebel proclaimed one in Ahab's name when she w...
So in chapter eight it gives to us a list of those who went with Ezra, totaling out about 754 of the males, when you add the priests that were added to later. So they numbered the people, and they fou...
1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Acts 2:39; Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 35:8;
A fast — For public mercies. Publick prayers must be made, that all who are to share in the comfort, may share in the requests for it. Afflict ourselves — For our sins; and so be qualified for the par...