Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Ezra
Ezra tells the story of restoration: God's people brought home from Babylon, the temple rebuilt, and the nation called back to His law. It opens with a decree that only God could have arranged and follows the long, difficult work of rebuilding both a house and a people. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Book of Ezra records the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, followed by the coming of Ezra the scribe to teach and restore the people to the Law of Moses. It begins with the decree of Cyrus, roughly 538 BC, that fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy of a seventy-year captivity, and it moves through opposition, discouragement, and renewal to the reforming of the returned community.
This commentary covers Ezra verse by verse, with the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The rebuilding of God's house and the calling of a people back to His word point us to the greater restoration in Christ, who builds His church and calls His people home. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This book is complete, all ten chapters, from the decree of Cyrus and the rebuilding of the temple to the coming of Ezra and the people's repentance and return to the word of God.
Author
Traditionally Ezra the priest and scribe (Ezra 7:6).
Setting
The return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple.
Key People
Cyrus, Zerubbabel, Jeshua the priest, and Ezra the scribe.
Theme
God restores His people and His worship, keeping every promise.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Ezra Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Ezra 1:1-11
The LORD Stirred Up a King
God moves the heart of Cyrus of Persia to send the exiles home to rebuild the temple, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy, and stirs a remnant to arise and go.
Read Chapter 1 →Ezra 2:1-70
Every One Unto His City
The register of the exiles who went up from captivity with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, each name precious to God. Some claiming the priesthood could not prove their genealogy and were kept back; the chief fathers offered freely for the house of God after their ability; and, after seventy years, all Israel settled home in their cities.
Read Chapter 2 →Ezra 3:1-13
The Foundation of the House Was Laid
The returned exiles build the altar and offer burnt offerings first of all, though fear was upon them because of the peoples around. When the temple foundation is laid, they sing the ancient song, he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever, and shout for joy, while the old men who remembered Solomon's temple weep, and the two sounds blend into one great noise heard afar off.
Read Chapter 3 →Ezra 4:1-24
They Weakened the Hands of the People
Opposition comes in many faces. The adversaries offer to help build, but their worship is mixed, and the leaders refuse: ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God. Rejected, the enemies weaken the hands of the builders and hire counsellors to frustrate their purpose, until at last the work of the house of God ceases, but only unto the second year of Darius.
Read Chapter 4 →Ezra 5:1-17
The Eye of Their God Was Upon Them
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah stir the people, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua rise up and build again. When Tatnai challenges them, the work continues, for the eye of their God was upon the elders that they could not cause them to cease. Questioned who they are, they confess boldly: we are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.
Read Chapter 5 →Ezra 6:1-22
The LORD Had Made Them Joyful
Darius finds Cyrus's decree and orders the work not only left alone but funded from the enemies' own taxes, that they be not hindered. The temple is finished according to the commandment of the God of Israel, dedicated with joy, and the passover kept, for the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king to strengthen their hands.
Read Chapter 6 →Ezra 7:1-28
He Prepared His Heart to Seek the Law of the LORD
Ezra the ready scribe goes up from Babylon according to the good hand of his God upon him, for he had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach it in Israel, the golden pattern of seek, do, teach. Receiving the king's generous decree, he blesses God who put such a thing in the king's heart, and is strengthened to lead.
Read Chapter 7 →Ezra 8:1-36
The Hand of Our God Was Upon Us
Ezra gathers the returning company, finds no Levites and sends for ministers, and, ashamed to ask the king for soldiers after testifying that the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him, proclaims a fast at the river Ahava. God is entreated, and the hand of our God is upon them so that he delivers them from the enemy on the way.
Read Chapter 8 →Ezra 9:1-15
I Am Ashamed and Blush to Lift Up My Face
Hearing that the people had entangled themselves with the idolatrous nations, Ezra rends his garment and sits astonied, then pours out a great confession, owning the guilt as his own: our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. He marvels that God has punished them less than their iniquities deserve, and ends confessing thou art righteous, we cannot stand before thee.
Read Chapter 9 →Ezra 10:1-44
Yet Now There Is Hope in Israel
Ezra's weeping confession before the house of God moves the whole congregation to deep repentance. Shechaniah declares there is yet hope in Israel and calls for a covenant, urging, be of good courage, and do it. The people answer with one voice, as thou hast said, so must we do, separating themselves from the idolatrous alliances. The book ends in repentance and hope.
Read Chapter 10 →