Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, Moreover, you are to take with youThis phrase indicates a directive or command, emphasizing the responsibility placed upon Ezra. The Hebrew root for "take" is "laqach," which often implies receiving or acquiring with purpose. This highlights Ezra's role as a trusted leader and steward, tasked with a sacred mission. Historically, this reflects the Persian policy of supporting local religions to maintain peace and loyalty within the empire. the silver and gold
Silver and gold were common forms of wealth and currency in the ancient Near East. These metals were often used in temple offerings and to craft sacred objects. The mention of these precious metals underscores the value and importance of the mission. It also reflects the generosity and support of the Persian king, Artaxerxes, towards the Jewish people and their worship practices. that the king and his advisers
This phrase highlights the involvement of the Persian monarchy in the affairs of the Jewish people. The king, Artaxerxes, and his advisers, likely high-ranking officials, demonstrate a political and religious interest in supporting the Jewish temple. This reflects the historical context of the Persian Empire's policy of religious tolerance and support for local customs as a means of governance. have freely given
The phrase "freely given" suggests a voluntary and generous act. The Hebrew root "nadav" implies a willing offering, which is significant in the context of ancient Near Eastern cultures where tribute and taxes were often compulsory. This voluntary gift indicates a favorable disposition towards the Jewish people and their God, fostering goodwill and religious harmony. to the God of Israel
This phrase identifies the recipient of the silver and gold as the God of Israel, Yahweh. It underscores the monotheistic faith of the Jewish people and their covenant relationship with God. The acknowledgment of Yahweh by a foreign king highlights the influence and recognition of the Jewish faith within the broader Persian Empire. whose dwelling is in Jerusalem
This phrase refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Jewish people. The temple was seen as the earthly dwelling place of God, a concept rooted in the Hebrew word "mishkan," meaning dwelling or tabernacle. This emphasizes the significance of Jerusalem as a spiritual and cultural center for the Jewish people, and the restoration of the temple as a symbol of their religious identity and continuity. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest, Ezra was a leader among the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was tasked with teaching the laws of God to the people and ensuring proper worship practices. 2. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who issued a decree allowing Ezra and other exiles to return to Jerusalem. He provided resources for the temple and supported the re-establishment of Jewish religious practices. 3. JerusalemThe holy city where the temple of God was located. It was the center of Jewish worship and the place where God's presence was believed to dwell. 4. The God of IsraelThe one true God worshiped by the Israelites, who had chosen Jerusalem as His dwelling place. 5. Silver and GoldThese were the resources provided by King Artaxerxes and his counselors for the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing the support and respect for the God of Israel. Teaching Points God’s Sovereignty in ProvisionGod can use even foreign rulers to provide for His people and purposes. Trust in God's ability to provide through unexpected means. The Importance of WorshipThe resources given were specifically for the worship of God, highlighting the centrality of worship in the life of believers. Generosity and StewardshipThe silver and gold were given freely, demonstrating the importance of generosity in supporting God’s work. Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources. Respect for God’s DwellingThe temple in Jerusalem was a physical representation of God’s presence. Today, believers are called to honor God’s presence in their lives and communities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the provision of silver and gold by King Artaxerxes demonstrate God’s sovereignty and ability to provide for His people? 2. In what ways can we prioritize worship in our own lives, similar to the emphasis on worship in Ezra 7:15? 3. How can we practice generosity in supporting the work of God today, and what are some practical ways to do so? 4. What does it mean to respect and honor God’s dwelling in our lives, and how can we apply this in our daily walk with Christ? 5. How do the actions of King Artaxerxes compare to other instances in the Bible where God uses unexpected people or means to accomplish His purposes? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 25The instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, where God’s presence would dwell among His people, parallels the emphasis on the temple in Jerusalem as God’s dwelling place. 2 Chronicles 36The decree of Cyrus, which allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, sets a precedent for the support of foreign kings in the restoration of Jewish worship. Philippians 4Paul speaks of the generosity of the Philippians in supporting his ministry, which mirrors the generosity of King Artaxerxes in supporting the temple. People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Advisers, Bring, Carry, Convey, Counsellors, Counselors, Dwelling, Freely, Gold, Habitation, Jerusalem, Offered, Silver, Tabernacle, Temple, Willingly, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:1-21 7464 teachers of the law Ezra 7:11-17 7468 temple, rebuilding Ezra 7:12-18 4333 gold Ezra 7:12-20 7505 Jews, the Ezra 7:13-16 4363 silver Ezra 7:15-17 5415 money, uses of Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleReading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 7:15 NIVEzra 7:15 NLTEzra 7:15 ESVEzra 7:15 NASBEzra 7:15 KJV
Ezra 7:15 Commentaries
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