Ezra 1:5

_THEN ROSE UP THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN, AND THE PRIESTS, AND THE LEVITES, WITH ALL THEM WHOSE SPIRIT GOD HAD RAISED, TO GO UP TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WHICH IS IN JERUSALEM._ Then rose up the chief of the fathers ... The paternal and ecclesiastical chiefs of the later captivity-those of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with some also from other tribes (1 Chronicles 9:3) who retained their attachment to the pure worship of God-naturally took the lead in this movement; and their example was followed by all whose piety and patriotism were strong enough to brave the various discouragements attending the enterprise. They were liberally assisted by multitudes of their captive countrymen, who, born in Babylonia, or comfortably established in it by family connections, or the possession of property, chose to remain. Indeed, it is plainly stated th

5-11 The same God that raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up their spirits to take the benefit. The temptation was to some to stay in Babylon; but some feared not to return, and they were those whose spirits God raised, by his Spirit and grace. Whatever good we do, is owing to the grace of God. Our spirits naturally bow down to this earth and the things of it; if they move upward in any good affections or good actions, it is God who raises them. The calls and offers of the gospel are like the proclamation of Cyrus. Those bound under the power of sin, may be made free by Jesus Christ. Whosoever will, by repentance and faith, return to God, Jesus Christ has opened the way for him, and raises him out of the slavery of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Many that hear this joyful sound, choose to sit still in Babylon, are in love with th...

Only a portion of the Israelites took advantage of the permission of Cyrus. Many remained in Babylon, since they were disinclined to relinquish their property. They who returned were persons whom God had especially stirred up to make sacrifices for His glory....

EXPOSITION THE RESPONSE TO THE DECREE (Ezra 1:5). The response made to the decree fell short of what might have been expected. The "patriarchal chiefs" who responded belonged solely, or mainly, to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin; the "ten tribes" were for the most part deaf to the invitation addressed to them. Some, however, of Ephraim and Manasseh (1 Chronicles 9:3), and perhaps some of other tribes, were more zealous, and took part in the migration. Many, on the other hand, even of Judah and Benjamin, preferred remaining in Babylonia to undertaking the long and perilous (Ezra 7:22) journey to Palestine, and taking the chance

THEN ROSE UP THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN,.... Princes of these tribes, and heads of families in them, and of some other tribes too, though chiefly of these, as appears from 1 Chronicles 9:3, AND THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES: whose presence was necessary both to direct in the building of the temple, and to animate to it, and to set the vessels in their proper places; and particularly to assist in the setting up of the altar, and to offer sacrifices on it, which was the first thing done when come to Jerusalem, Ezra 3:2 WITH ALL THEM WHOSE SPIRIT GOD RAISED TO GO UP, TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, WHICH IS IN JERUSALEM; God, who "works" in men "both to will and to do", wrought powerfully by his Spirit on their hearts, inclined their minds, and made them wi

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABEL AND THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The proclamation of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1)_ 2. The response of the chiefs of Judah and Benjamin (Ezra 1:5) 3. The vessels of the house of the LORD restored (Ezra 1:7) Ezra 1:1. Cyrus (meaning “the Sun”) the King of Persia was, according to ancient historians, the son of Cambyses, Prince of Persia, and Mandam, daughter of Astyages, King of the Median Empire. The theory that he was the offspring of Ahasuerus and Esther, and was trained by Mordecai and Nehemiah, lacks all historical foundation. The heart of Cyrus in the beginning of

THE RETURN OF THE JEWS UNDER SHESHBAZZAR WITH THE HOLY VESSELS. The carrying out of the decree. Ezra 1:5. even all. Jerusalem: implying that many did not avail themselves of the opportunity of returning. The lot of many of the exiles was far from unhappy, while the prospect for those who might decide to return was not bright. Ezra 1:6. all they that were round about them: _i.e._ those of their own race. BESIDE ALL THAT WAS WILLINGLY OFFERED: the free-will offerings for the Temple; the other gifts were personal. Ezra 1:7. the vessels. his gods: see 2 Kings 24:13;...

THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS: i.e. those named in the next chapter. CHIEF. heads. JUDAH AND BENJAMIN. But the other tribes found representatives. Compare Ezra 2:59; Ezra 2:70, where the terms "of Israel" and "all Israel" are used. In 1 Chronicles 9:3, Ephrairn and Manasseh are mentioned by name. See note on 1 Kings 12:17....

The Return of the Jews under Sheshbazzar: a brief summary of events 5. _the chief of the fathers_ R.V. THE HEADS OF FATHERS" HOUSES. Literally rendered, the term would be -the heads of the fathers". Cf. the Latin -principes patrum". See Exodus 6:14. For the subdivision into (1) tribe, (2) family, (3) household, compare especially Joshua 7:16-18. _with all them_ R.V. EVEN ALL. The construction in the original is peculiar. The preposition -to" or -for" stands before -all", and the relative is omitted. The A.V. takes the clause to briefly summarize -the rest" (i.e. the supplementary list of them) who, not being classed under (_a_) the heads of fathers" houses of Judah and Benjamin, (_b_) priests, (_c_) Levites, formed a fourth division of the people. By compa

2. The people return and begin to rebuild. TEXT, EZRA 1:5-11 5 Then the heads of fathers-' households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go and rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all those about them encouraged them with articles of silver, with gold, with goods, with cattle, and with valuables, aside from all that was given as a freewill offering. 7 Also King Cyrus brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and put in the house of his gods; 8 and Cyrus, king of Persia, had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and he counted them out to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 9 Now this was their number: 30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 duplicates;...