11 Kings 6. 1. me Chr 36.16, 17. 9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, k Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? 10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. 11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. 1 His decree in favour of the Jews. CHAPTER VI. Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, mak eth a new decree for the advancement of the building. 13 By the help of the enemies, and the directions of the prophets, the temple is finished. 16 The feast of the dedication is kept, 19 and the passover. decree, and search was HIEN Darius the king made Before CHRIST 519. ach. 5. 17. made in the house of the trolls, Chald. where the treasures were laid in Babylon. books. † Chald. made to descend. "P And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that 10r, Ecbatis in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, 12 But mafter that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into na Kings 24.2. the hand of nNebuchadnezzar and let the foundations thereof the king of Babylon, the Chal-, be strongly laid; the height dean, who destroyed this house, thereof threescore cubits, and and carried the people away into the breadth thereof threescore Babylon. cubits; & 25. 8, 9, 11. 536. ch. 1. 1. P ch. 1. 7, 8. & 6.5. 13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. 14 And Pthe vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he Or, deputy. had made governor; 9 Hag. 1. 14. & 2. 2, 21. cl. 3. 8, 10. sch. 6. 15. tel. 6. 1, 2. q 15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. 16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished. ana, or, in a coffer. 4 b With three rows of great bikings 6.36. stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house: 5. 14. 5 And also let the golden and ch. 1. 7, 8. & silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto † Chald. go. the temple which is at Jerusa lem, every one to his place, and, place them in the house of God. 6 d Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place. 17 Now therefore, if it seem 9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the †Chald. made tu cease. † Chald. Dan. 2. 5. & 3.29. h1 Kings 9. 3. sons. 11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; gand let his house be made a dunghill for this. 12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed. 13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily. ich. 5. 1, 2. 14 i And the elders of the Jere hurled and ↑ Chald. decree. kch. 1. 1. & 5. i 13. ver. 3. 1ch. 4. 24. mcl. 7. 1. 515. † Chald. the sons of the transportation. Pins pered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and m Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with 1 Kings 8.63. joy, 2 Chir 7. 5. ch. 8. 35. P1 Chr. 24. 1. 91 Chr. 23. 6. and dedicated. of God, which is at Jerusalem; Before tras it is written in the book of CHRIST Moses. 19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and "killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. 515. † Chald. according to the writing. 8.9. t2 Chr. 30, 15. "2Chr. 35. 11. 21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the hea- ch. 9. 11. then of the land, to seek the | LORD God of Israel, did eat, 22 And kept the y feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart a of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. 1 Ezra goeth up to Jerusalem. 11 The gra CHAPTER VII. cious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra. 27 Ezra blesseth God for his favour. OW Now after these things, in Nel. 2. 1. 1 Chr. 6. 14. the reign of a Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest: 6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready ever. 11, 12, scribe in the law of Moses, 21. which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according & ver. 9. to the hand of the LORD his God! ch. 8. 22, 31. 17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God a hund-upon him. red bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests in their P divisions, and the Levites in their 4 courses, for the service d And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and: the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in The gracious commission Before the fifth month, which was in, thou before the God of Jerusa CHRIST the seventh year of the king. 457. about 457. ↑ Heb. was the foundation of the going up. h ver. 6. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, haccording to the Neh. 2. 8, 18. good hand of his God upon him. 1 Ez. 26. 7. Dan. 2. 37. Or. to Ezra the priest,a per fect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, &c. mch. 4. 10. † Chald. from before Esth. 1. 14. the king. "2 Chr. 6. 2. Ps. 135. 21. P ch. 8. 25. 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, Junto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, mand at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent t of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; 15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 16 PAnd all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, 41 Chr. 29.6, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: 9. lem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, Before CHRIST about 457. 22 Unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred meas-† Chald.cors. ures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24 Also we certify you, that, touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, NethiInim, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. ↑ Heb. Whatsoever Is of the de cree. 22. Deut. 16. 18. 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and Ex. 18. 21, judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and "teach ye them that ver. 10. know them not. 2 Chr. 17. 7. Mal. 2. 7. Matt. 23. 2,3. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to † Chald. to banishment, or to confiscation of goods,or to imprisonment. 27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, y which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: rooting out. 1Chr. 29.10. y ch. 6. 22. 28 And hath extended mercy ch. 9. 9. unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as a the hand a See ch. 5. 5. of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. & ver, 6, 9. & ch. 8. 18. The companions of Ezra, Before CHRIST 457. EZRA. CHAPTER VIII. is weighed in the temple. 36 The commis sion is delivered. HESE are now the chief of who returned from Babylon. Before in tents three days: and I viewed 16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for fathers, this Meshullam, genealogy of them that went up a1 Chr. 3.22. a Hattush. b ch. 2. 3. Or, the youngest sun. Or, Zaceur, as some read. chief men; also for Joiarib, and! 17 And I sent them with com- 4 Of the sons of Pahath-moab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males. 5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males. 6 Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. 7 And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males. 8 And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males. 9 Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males. 10 And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him a hundred and threescore males. 11 And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males. 12 And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him a hundred and ten males. 13 And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males. 14 Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males. 15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth 1Or, pitched. to Ahava; and there abode we about 457. © See ch. 7. 7. 9.4, 5. 18 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought 4 Neh. 8. 7. & us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen; 19 And Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty; 20 Also of the Nethinim, See ch.2.43. whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were expressed by name. 12 Chr. 20. 3. Lev. 16. 29. & 23, 29. h Ps. 5. 8. 15. 21 Then Ifproclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might safflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a hright way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to re- iSo 1 Cor. 9. quire of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good | that seek him; but his power and his wrath is magainst all them that a forsake him. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us. house of our God, which the CHRIST king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered: † Heb. yellow, or, shining brass. † Heb. desirable. 9 Lev. 21. 6,7. 8. Deut. 33. 8. Lev. 22. 2,3. Nun.4.4, 15. 19, 20. 26 I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents, and of gold a hundred talents; 27 Also twenty basins of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, † precious as gold. 28 And I said unto them, Ye are aholy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill Offering unto the LORD God of your fathers. 29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD. 30 So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God. 31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go Sch. 7. 6, 9, 28. unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. t Neh. 2. 11. u ver. 26, 30. 32 And we came to Jerusalem, 34 By number and by weight of about 457. His prayer and 36 And they delivered the Before king's y commissions unto the CHRIST king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God. ch. 7. 21. 2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and 2 Cor. 6. 14. rulers hath been chief in this trespass. 3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down gastonied. f Job 1. 20. g Ps. 143. 4. Is. 66. 2. 4 Then were assembled unto me every one that htrembled at the bch. 10. 3. words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until. the evening sacrifice. i Ex. 29. 39. or affliction. 5 ¶ And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Ex. 9. 29, 33. the LORD my God, 6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up 1 Dan. 9. 7. 8. my face to thee, my God: for mour iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is "grown up unto the heavens. 35 Also the children of those 7 Since the days of our fathers that had been carried away, have we been in great trespass which were come out of the unto this day; and for our inSo ch. 6. 17. captivity, offered burnt_offer-iquities Phave we, our kings, and ings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD. |