CONTENTS This chapter contains the record of the number which returned of the people from Babylon. Of certain priests, which could not show their pedigree. Ezra 2:1 We are not to suppose that these were individually the very same persons which were carried away and all lived to return. Seventy ye... [ Continue Reading ]
No doubt during the captivity a faithful register was kept of the several families, and therefore their number was the more clearly ascertained. Chiefly with an eye to the promised Messiah, each father of the tribe carefully preserved his record. One feature in this record of the families of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
This list is of the priests. And a very large proportion they were to the whole mass; somewhat about a tenth part.... [ Continue Reading ]
I include the whole of these in one list, for Levites, Nethinims, and the Singers, with the children of Solomon's servants, may be summed up as bearing offices in one and the same household, though in different departments.... [ Continue Reading ]
This inability to prove their stock of Israel is mentioned as a reproach. But yet we find that they were of those whose hearts the Lord had inclined to go to Jerusalem; were they not types also of those concerning whom we read in the last call of the Jews, who shall take hold of the skirts of a true... [ Continue Reading ]
It is delightful to observe even in these times of deep poverty, how tenacious the Israelites were of their true origin and descent both from Israel and among the order of Aaron. And this is to be referred into an higher cause than merely human considerations or human wisdom. The hand of the Lord wa... [ Continue Reading ]
If the Reader will compare accounts in this of the return with that of their carrying away, he will find that they had multiplied as they had done in Egypt under all their affliction. Precious thought! the church may be, must be, oppressed, assaulted, persecuted; but it is Jesus's church, and she sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Their treasures of cattle make no inconsiderable figure, considering that they came out of a long captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their liberal offerings are taken notice of because they were given with a liberal heart, though compared to former gifts in the building of the first temple, their whole collection was small indeed. There they gave in talents. Now only in drachms. The widow's mite was a costly offering in the sight... [ Continue Reading ]
Their residence is noticed inasmuch as it implied, amidst all the desolations of their cities, that they were delighted to be in Jerusalem once more. The prophet had said, that the Lord's servants should take pleasure in the very stones of Zion, and favor the dust thereof. And here we see it fulfill... [ Continue Reading ]