Ezra 1:7

_ALSO CYRUS THE KING BROUGHT FORTH THE VESSELS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, WHICH NEBUCHADNEZZAR HAD BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF JERUSALEM, AND HAD PUT THEM IN THE HOUSE OF HIS GODS;_ Cyrus ... brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord. Though it is said (see the note at 2 Kings 24:13) that these were cut in pieces, that would not be done to the large and magnificent vases, and, if they had been divided, the parts could be re-united. But it may be doubted whether the Hebrew word rendered "cut in pieces" does not signify merely "cut off" - i:e., from further use in the temple....

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...

Verse Ezra 1:7. _THE KING BROUGHT FORTH THE VESSELS_] See on Ezra 1:9....

THE HOUSE OF HIS GODS - Rather, “of his god” Daniel 1:2, i. e., Merodach, “his lord” (see 2 Chronicles 36:7 note)....

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

AND CYRUS BROUGHT FORTH THE VESSELS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,.... Or ordered them to be brought forth: WHICH NEBUCHADNEZZAR HAD BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF JERUSALEM; out of the temple there, when he took it and burnt it: AND HAD PUT THEM IN THE HOUSE OF HIS GODS; in the temple of Belus at Babylon, see 2 Chronicles 36:7, by which means they were providentially preserved....

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;...

WHICH NEBUCHADNEZZAR HAD BROUGHT. Compare 2 Kings 24:13. Ezr 25:14. 2 Chronicles 36:1.Jeremiah 27:18; Jeremiah 28:6; Jeremiah 52:18; Jeremiah 52:19; Daniel 1:2; Daniel 5:2....

_Also Cyrus the king_ i.e. the Jews were assisted not only by private individuals their neighbours, but by the example of the king himself. _the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth_&c. This refers especially to the capture of Jerusalem in 598, when Jehoiachin, his household and 10,000 of the better classes were carried off to Babylon. 2 Kings 24:13 -And he (i.e. Nebuchadnezzar) carried out thence (i.e. from Jerusalem) all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord". It may be noticed that in the original the expression -carried out" in the passage just cited and so translated in A.V. and R.V. is identical with the -brought forth" in this verse. At the final destruction of Jerusalem (586) eleven