Reading Plan · Day 131
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Ezra 1-3
Day 131
About Ezra
The Book of Ezra was the tenth of the twelve books that made up the historical section of the Old Testament. Actually, this book and the next book were considered by the Jews and early Christians to be one book in two parts. The main focus of the first part was Ezra's account of the rebuilding of the temple. The main focus of the second part was Nehemiah's account of the rebuilding of the walls and the city. Since the temple was more important than the walls and the city, Ezra's account came first. Also, the events in Ezra's account preceded the events in Nehemiah's account by more than seventy years. Once the books were separated, the order was maintained.
Day 131 Read
Where You Stopped
Ezra 1
1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
4And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Commentary · verses 1-4
5Then rose up the heads of fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.
5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
Commentary · verse 5
The chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and Levites went to Jerusalem to build the temple.
6And all they that were round about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.
7Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of Jehovah, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;
6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
7Also 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;
Commentary · verses 6-7
Cyrus restored the vessels that Nebuchadnezzar brought to Babylon. Was the Ark still there?
8even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, nine and twenty knives, 10thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
8Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
10Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Commentary · verses 8-11
"Sheshbazzar" meant "Oh sun God, protect the son." It was the Chaldean name for Zerubbabel who was in Matthew's lineage of Christ. He was made governor of Judah over the returned exiles.
Where You Stopped
Ezra 2
1Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
Commentary · verse 1
This chapter covered the people who were taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and could prove their family genealogy in order to return to Jerusalem.
2who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
Commentary · verse 2
These people returned with Zerubbabel. Realize Mordecai (from the Book of Esther) was mentioned. Nehemiah was mentioned, however, this was not the Nehemiah who wrote the ensuing book of the Old Testament. Also, Jeshua was the high priest. Notice, Ezra was not with this group of returned exiles. Ezra was not in the first group. Zerubbabel was the leader of this first group.
Commentary · verses 3-35
Verses 3-35: a list of the families that were returning to Judah and Jerusalem.
3The children of Parosh, two thousand a hundred seventy and two.
4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18The children of Jorah, a hundred and twelve.
19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21The children of Beth-lehem, a hundred twenty and three.
3The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.
4The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.
5The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy and five.
6The children of Pahath–moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.
7The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
8The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty and five.
9The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore.
10The children of Bani, six hundred forty and two.
11The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and three.
12The children of Azgad, a thousand two hundred twenty and two.
13The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.
14The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty and six.
15The children of Adin, four hundred fifty and four.
16The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
17The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and three.
18The children of Jorah, an hundred and twelve.
19The children of Hashum, two hundred twenty and three.
20The children of Gibbar, ninety and five.
21The children of Beth–lehem, an hundred twenty and three.
Commentary · verse 21
The children of Bethlehem were 123. The Messianic line was preserved by these 123 people.
22The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight.
24The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25The children of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty and one.
27The men of Michmas, a hundred twenty and two.
28The men of Beth-el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
22The men of Netophah, fifty and six.
23The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
24The children of Azmaveth, forty and two.
25The children of Kirjath–arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred and forty and three.
26The children of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one.
27The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.
28The men of Beth–el and Ai, two hundred twenty and three.
Commentary · verse 28
Beth-el was where Jacob had his dream of the ladder going up to heaven (Genesis 28) and Ai was the second city the Israelites took upon entering the Promised Land according to Joshua 7.
29The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30The children of Magbish, a hundred fifty and six.
31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
29The children of Nebo, fifty and two.
30The children of Magbish, an hundred fifty and six.
31The children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.
32The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
33The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and five.
34The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five.
35The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
35The children of Senaah, three thousand and six hundred and thirty.
Commentary · verse 35
The priests...
Commentary · verses 36-57
Verses 36-57: the priests, Levites, and temple workers that returned.
36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38The children of Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
36The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
37The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two.
38The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
39The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
Commentary · verse 39
The Levites...
40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred twenty and eight.
42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty and nine.
40The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy and four.
41The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred twenty and eight.
42The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all an hundred thirty and nine.
Commentary · verse 42
The Nethinim, who were the temple workers...
43The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, 44the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon, 45the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub, 46the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan, 47the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah, 48the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam, 49the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai, 50the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim, 51the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, 52the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, 53the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah, 54the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda, 56the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, 57the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
58All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
43The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
44The children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
45The children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
46The children of Hagab, the children of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
47The children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
48The children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
49The children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
50The children of Asnah, the children of Mehunim, the children of Nephusim,
51The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
52The children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
53The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Thamah,
54The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
55The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Peruda,
56The children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
57The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Ami.
58All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
Commentary · verses 59-63
Verses 59-63: the people who could not prove their connection to Israel, which showed the importance of genealogy.
59And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: 60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
59And these were they which went up from Tel–melah, Tel–harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
60The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two.
61And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
Commentary · verse 62
It was thought here that Barzillai preferred the name of his own family and thought it a greater distinction to be connected with his family, than to be of the house of Levi. But by this distinction, he forfeited the priesthood.
63And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, 65besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
64The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
Commentary · verses 64-65
The whole congregation that returned with Zerubbabel (the governor) was 49,897.
66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; 67their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68And some of the heads of fathers’ houses, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place: 69they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work threescore and one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand pounds of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
66Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
Commentary · verses 66-70
The phrase "all Israel in their cities" proved the Jews that returned were representative of the whole nation, people from every tribe. Basically, the twelve tribes of Israel were reunited under a "heathen" king.
Where You Stopped
Ezra 3
1And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
2Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
1And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
2Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
Commentary · verses 1-2
This seventh month would be our October when the feast of Tabernacles was observed. The returned exiles had the Law.
3And they set the altar upon its base; for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening.
4And they kept the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required; 5and afterward the continual burnt-offering, and the offerings of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Jehovah that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill-offering unto Jehovah.
3And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
4They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
5And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Worship was restored to Israel along with all of the feasts of the Lord being kept.
6From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah: but the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was not yet laid.
6From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
Commentary · verse 6
They worshipped God at the constructed altar because the foundation of the temple had not been laid yet.
7They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, unto them of Sidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees from Lebanon to the sea, unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Jehovah.
7They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Commentary · verses 7-8
In the second year, they began working on the temple.
9Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Jehovah, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Jehovah, after the order of David king of Israel.
11And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.
9Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Commentary · verses 9-11
All the people praised God because the foundation was laid.
Doctrines on this passage
12But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, the old men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Commentary · verse 12
Many of the old men that had seen the first temple (Solomon's) wept and shouted. It was possible some of the men wept for joy and some for sadness: for joy because there was a temple again; for sadness because this temple was not as excellent as the first.
13so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
13So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Commentary · verse 13
The noises could not be discerned because it was so loud. Everything seemed to be going perfectly...
This day's reading covered the return of exiles to Israel and the laying of the foundation of the temple.
This book began with "Now" because it was a continuation of the Book of 2 Chronicles, which was also written by Ezra. In the first year of Cyrus, God stirred up Cyrus' spirit to make a proclamation to build a temple in Jerusalem, which was a restatement of the last two verses of the previous book: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23. The timeline had been maintained. Notice, Cyrus acknowledged Jehovah as the true God. A "heathen" king was leading Israel as a "believing" king. This decree occurred around 536 BC.