Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Ezra lists the families that travel with him to Jerusalem. The people arrive safely, deliver the king’s orders, and offer sacrifices at the Temple.
II. Photo
Ezra describes his journey: “We set out for Jerusalem from the Ahava River on the twelfth of the first month. We enjoyed the care of our God, who saved us from enemy ambush on the journey.” (v. 31)
III. Important Verses
v. 1: These are the chiefs of the clans and the register of the genealogy of those who came up with me from Babylon in the reign of King Artaxerxes:
vv. 21-23: I proclaimed a fast there by the Ahava River to afflict ourselves before our God to beseech Him for a smooth journey for us and for our children and for all our possessions; for I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us against any enemy on the way, since we had told the king, “The benevolent care of our God is for all who seek Him, while His fierce anger is against all who forsake Him.” So we fasted and besought our God for this, and He responded to our plea.
vv. 31-32: We set out for Jerusalem from the Ahava River on the twelfth of the first month. We enjoyed the care of our God, who saved us from enemy ambush on the journey. We arrived in Jerusalem and stayed there three days.
vv. 35-36: The returning exiles who arrived from captivity made burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs and twelve he-goats as a purification offering, all this a burnt offering to the LORD. They handed the royal orders to the king’s satraps and the governors of the province of Beyond the River who gave support to the people and the House of God.
IV. Outline
1-14. The group that traveled with Ezra is enumerated
15-20. Ezra sends for a group of Levites to join
21-23. Ezra relies on God, and not the king, for protection
24-30. The valuables are assigned to guardians
31-32. The journey is successful
33-34. The valuables are weighed, and no larceny was committed
35. The returnees offer sacrifices
36. The returnees establish their control
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
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