Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezra 8

3 Of the sons of Shechaniah; of the sons of Pharosh ; Zecharia: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males , an hundred and fifty.

i. e. One of the Sons of Pharoh: whereby h[illegible: 1+ letters] is differenced from the other Shechaniah, v. 5.

Though the Males only be expressed here, and in the succeeding verses yet it is more than probable they carried the Women along with them, as they did carry little ones, as it is expressed here, v. 21.

Marginal references: Ch. 2. 3.

5 Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel , and with him three hundred males.

Either his onely son, or the most eminent of his sons, and therefore so called here.

15 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava ; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi .

Or, [illegible: 1 word] river of [illegible: 1+ letters]ava, as it is called, v. 21, 31. By comparing of these places it seems that A[illegible: 1+ letters]ava was the name both of the River, and of the Town or place by which it ran. Either this was that River which other Writers call Adiava, which runs to Assyria, which thence is called A[illegible: 1+ letters]iabene: or some other River running into Euphrates.

To wit, who were simple Levites, and not Priests. And therefore the Levites mentioned, chap. 7. 7. by anticipation were not yet come to him.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word].

16 Then sent I for Eliezer , for Ariel, for Shemajah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zecharia, and for Meshullam, chief men: also for Jojarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding .

To come to me, and go along with me to Ierusalem.

Who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God, and his House and solemn Worship, which was confined to Jerusalem.

17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief , at the place Casiphia , and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.

Which he might do, partly by virtue of that authority which he had over them by his Priesthood: and partly by that authority which he either had received, or could easily procure from the King to that purpose.

The Head of the rest, either by Ecclesiastical Order or Government, which the Persian Kings allowed to the Jews: or by some Grant or Commission from the King.

Not a place near the Caspian lake, as some guess from the likeness of the names; for that was at too great a distance for his present purpose, but some other place not far from Ahava: where he knew that there was a Colledg, or considerable company of Levites together.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

20 Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites , two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.

The Gibeonites who were devoted to this service by Ioshua and the Princes of his time, Ios. 9. 21. and are said to be appointed by David and his Princes, because they were confirmed by them in their former Office, and more particularly applied to the several services of the Temple: though this be not distinctly related in 1 Chr. 24, & 25, & 26. because his business there was to give an account only of the new constitutions and alterations made by David in those matters.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might afflict our selves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

i. e. A safe and prosperous journey: or such a way and course as might be best for us.

23 So we fasted and besought our God for this, and he was entreated of us .

He gave us some assurance of his gracious Answer to our request.

24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah; and ten of their brethren with them ;

Or, and Sherebiah, &c. who were the Levites mentioned [illegible: 1+ letters]. 18. who were joyntly intrusted together with the Priests with the charge of carrying these things carefully and safely. The particle, and, is oft understood.

27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams, and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold .

Heb. desirable as gold, not that it was of equal price and worth with it, but for its incomparable excellency in its kind, and for its great rarity, for which cause there were only two vessels of that sort.

Marginal references: Heb. yellow, or [illegible: 1+ letters]hining brass.; Heb. desirable.

31 Then we departed from the river of Ahava, on the twelfth day of the first month, to go 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 .

To wit, in the direct way. Whereby it may be conjectured, that God directed them to fetch a little compass, and to go a more uncouth and unsuspected way, as they had begged of God, v. 21.

35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity , offered burnt-offerings 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.

To wit, these now commers, whom God had safely conducted hither.

Marginal references: Heb. They that came out of the capti[illegible: 1+ letters]ity, the sons of the transportation. so Gr.

36 And they delivered the kings commissions unto the kings lieutenants, and to the governours on this side the river; and they furthered the people, and the house of God .

In the adorning and furnishing of it with these vessels and other conveniences; and in promoting Gods Worship and service therein.

Marginal references: Or, exalted. Gr. glorified.