Verse 1

a ready . Sopher mahir does not merely signify a speedy writer , or an excellent penman , but one eminently skilful in expounding the law , sophro chochmo , "a wise scribe ," as the Syriac renders. Ezra 7 . 11 , Ezra 7 . 12 , Ezra 7 . 21 , Psalm 45 . 1 , Matthew 13 . 52

scribe . Nehemiah 8 . 4 , Nehemiah 8 . 9 , Nehemiah 8 . 13 , Nehemiah 12 . 26 , Nehemiah 12 . 36 , Jeremiah 8 . 8 , 1 Corinthians 1 . 20

the law . Deuteronomy 4 . 5 , Deuteronomy 28 . 1 , Matthew 28 . 20 , 1 Corinthians 15 . 1 , 1 Thessalonians 4 . 1 , 1 Thessalonians 4 . 2

granted him . Ezra 7 . 11-26

according to . Ezra 7 . 9 , Ezra 7 . 28 , Ezra 6 . 22 , Ezra 8 . 18 , Ezra 8 . 22 , Ezra 8 . 31 , Genesis 32 . 28 , Nehemiah 1 . 10 , Nehemiah 1 . 11 , Nehemiah 2 . 8 , Nehemiah 2 . 12 , Nehemiah 2 . 18 , Nehemiah 4 . 15 , Proverbs 3 . 6 , Isaiah 50 . 2 , Isaiah 59 . 1

Reciprocal . 1 Kings 8 . 50 . and give them 1 Chronicles 2 . 55 . the scribes 1 Chronicles 24 . 6 . the scribe 2 Chronicles 34 . 13 . scribes Ezra 5 . 5 . But the eye Ezra 7 . 10 . the law Ezra 9 . 9 . in the sight Nehemiah 1 . 7 . which thou Esther 2 . 9 . she obtained Proverbs 22 . 11 . the king Jeremiah 40 . 5 . or go Matthew 2 . 4 . scribes Matthew 8 . 19 . certain Acts 18 . 24 . mighty

Verse 7

the children . Ezra 8 . 1-14

the Levites . Ezra 2 . 40 , Ezra 2 . 41 , Ezra 8 . 15-20

singers . 1 Chronicles 6 . 31-48 , 1 Chronicles 25 . 1-8

porters . Ezra 2 . 42 , 1 Chronicles 9 . 17-27 , Nehemiah 7 . 45

Nethinims . Ezra 7 . 24 , Ezra 2 . 43-70 , Ezra 8 . 20 , Nehemiah 7 . 46-73 , Nehemiah 10 . 28

Artaxerxes . Ezra 7 . 11 , Ezra 7 . 12 , Ezra 6 . 14 , Ezra 8 . 1 , Nehemiah 2 . 1

Reciprocal . Exodus 1 . 1 . General 1 Chronicles 23 . 5 . porters 2 Chronicles 34 . 13 . porters Ezra 2 . 58 . Nethinims Ezra 8 . 17 . the Nethinims

Verse 8

Reciprocal . Ezra 8 . 32 . General Ezra 9 . 9 . in the sight Ezra 10 . 9 . the ninth month Esther 2 . 16 . the seventh Daniel 9 . 25 . from

Verse 9

began he to go up . Heb. was the foundation of the going up , according to. Ezra 7 . 6 , Nehemiah 2 . 8 , Nehemiah 2 . 18

Reciprocal . Ezra 4 . 1 . the adversaries Ezra 7 . 28 . as the hand Ezra 8 . 17 . Casiphia Ezra 8 . 22 . The hand Ezra 8 . 31 . the hand Ezra 8 . 32 . General Ezra 10 . 9 . the ninth month Isaiah 66 . 14 . the hand Jeremiah 27 . 22 . then Daniel 9 . 24 . Seventy weeks Acts 11 . 21 . the hand

Verse 10

prepared . 1 Samuel 7 . 3 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 18 , 2 Chronicles 12 . 14 , 2 Chronicles 19 . 3 , Job 11 . 13 , Psalm 10 . 17 , Psalm 57 . 7

the law . Ezra 7 . 6 , Psalm 1 . 2 , Psalm 19 . 7 , Psalm 119 . 45 , Psalm 119 . 96-100

to do it . Deuteronomy 16 . 12 , Matthew 5 . 19 , Matthew 7 . 24 , John 13 . 17 , Revelation 22 . 14

and to teach . Ezra 7 . 25 , Deuteronomy 33 . 10 , 2 Chronicles 17 . 8 , 2 Chronicles 17 . 9 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 22 , Nehemiah 8 . 1-9 , Malachi 2 . 7 , Acts 1 . 1 , 1 Timothy 3 . 2 , 2 Timothy 4 . 2 , Titus 2 . 1 , Titus 2 . 15

Reciprocal . Exodus 24 . 12 . that thou Exodus 35 . 34 . he hath 2 Chronicles 30 . 19 . prepareth 2 Chronicles 34 . 14 . the law Ezra 7 . 1 . Ezra Ezra 7 . 21 . Ezra the priest Matthew 13 . 52 . scribe 2 Timothy 2 . 2 . who Hebrews 5 . 12 . teachers

Verse 11

the copy . Ezra 4 . 11 , Ezra 5 . 6

a scribe . Ezra 7 . 6 , Matthew 23 . 2 , Matthew 23 . 13 , Mark 7 . 1-13

Reciprocal . Ezra 7 . 7 . Artaxerxes Ezra 7 . 21 . Ezra the priest Nehemiah 8 . 1 . Ezra Nehemiah 8 . 9 . Ezra Nehemiah 12 . 26 . Nehemiah Isaiah 49 . 23 . kings Daniel 9 . 25 . from Matthew 2 . 4 . scribes

Verse 12

Artaxerxes . The title of the king would , in Persian , run thus . Ardsheer shahinshah , or padshah , "Ardsheer , king of kings ," i.e. , great or supreme king or emperor. 1 Kings 4 . 24 , 1 Kings 20 . 1 , Isaiah 10 . 8 , Ezekiel 26 . 7 , Daniel 2 . 37 , Daniel 2 . 47 , 1 Timothy 6 . 15 , Revelation 17 . 14 , Revelation 19 . 16

unto Ezra . etc. or , to Ezra the priest , a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven , peace , etc. and at such a time. Ezra 4 . 10 , Ezra 4 . 11 , Ezra 4 . 17

Reciprocal . 2 Kings 18 . 28 . the king of Assyria Ezra 7 . 1 . Artaxerxes Ezra 7 . 6 . a ready Ezra 7 . 7 . Artaxerxes Ezra 7 . 21 . Artaxerxes Isaiah 13 . 3 . them that Isaiah 60 . 10 . their kings Daniel 6 . 26 . make Jonah 1 . 9 . the God Matthew 2 . 4 . scribes Acts 18 . 24 . mighty Revelation 16 . 11 . the God

Verse 13

I make . Ezra 5 . 13 , Ezra 6 . 1 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 5 , Esther 3 . 15 , Esther 9 . 14 , Psalm 148 . 6

minded . Ezra 1 . 3 , Psalm 110 . 3 , Philippians 2 . 13 , Revelation 22 . 17

Reciprocal . 2 Chronicles 36 . 23 . Who is there Ezra 7 . 21 . Artaxerxes Ezra 7 . 23 . Whatsoever is commanded Ezra 8 . 1 . them that went up Psalm 68 . 29 . shall Daniel 6 . 26 . make Jonah 1 . 9 . the God

Verse 14

of the king . Chal , from before the king

seven counsellors . Seven princes of Persia having conspired against and slain the usurper Smerdis , and thus made way for the family of Darius , which afterwards filled the throne , the Persian kings of this race had always seven chief princes as their counsellors , who possessed peculiar privileges , were his chief assistants in the government , and by whose advice all the public affairs of the empire were transacted. The names of these counsellors are given in the parallel place of the book of Esther. Esther 1 . 14

according . Ezra 7 . 25 , Ezra 7 . 26 , Deuteronomy 17 . 18 , Deuteronomy 17 . 19 , Isaiah 8 . 20

thy God . Ezra 1 . 3 , Ezra 5 . 8 , Ezra 6 . 12 , Daniel 2 . 47 , Daniel 6 . 20 , Daniel 6 . 26

Reciprocal . Ezra 7 . 28 . his counsellors Esther 3 . 1 . above all the princes Zechariah 6 . 10 . which

Verse 15

the silver . Ezra 6 . 4 , Ezra 6 . 8-10 , Psalm 68 . 29 , Psalm 68 . 30 , Psalm 72 . 10 , Psalm 76 . 11 , Isaiah 60 . 6-9 , Revelation 21 . 24-26

whose habitation . Ezra 6 . 12 , 2 Chronicles 2 . 6 , 2 Chronicles 6 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 6 . 6 , Psalm 9 . 11 , Psalm 26 . 8 , Psalm 76 . 2 , Psalm 135 . 21

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 14 . 26 . bestow 1 Chronicles 29 . 5 . General 2 Chronicles 32 . 23 . gifts Ezra 1 . 6 . strengthened their hands Ezra 8 . 25 . the silver Ecclesiastes 10 . 19 . but Zechariah 7 . 2 . they

Verse 16

all the silver . Ezra 8 . 25-28

offering . Ezra 1 . 4 , Ezra 1 . 6 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 6 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 9 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 17 , 2 Corinthians 8 . 12 , 2 Corinthians 9 . 7

Reciprocal . Exodus 25 . 2 . willingly 2 Kings 12 . 4 . and all the money 1 Chronicles 29 . 5 . General 2 Chronicles 31 . 14 . the freewill 2 Chronicles 35 . 8 . his princes

Verse 17

buy speedily . Ezra 6 . 9 , Ezra 6 . 10 , Deuteronomy 14 . 24-26 , Matthew 21 . 12 , Matthew 21 . 13 , John 2 . 14

their meat offerings . Numbers 15 . 4-13

offer them . Deuteronomy 12 . 5-11

Reciprocal . Isaiah 16 . 1 . the lamb

Verse 18

whatsoever . 2 Kings 12 . 15 , 2 Kings 22 . 7

that do . Ezra 7 . 26 , Ephesians 5 . 17

after the will . He gave them the fullest liberty to order every thing according to their own institutions; binding them to no form or mode of worship.

Reciprocal . Ezra 7 . 23 . Whatsoever is commanded

Verse 19

The vessels . Ezra 8 . 27-30 , Ezra 8 . 33 , Ezra 8 . 34

the God of Jerusalem . 2 Chronicles 32 . 19 , Jeremiah 3 . 17

Reciprocal . Jeremiah 27 . 22 . then

Verse 20

bestow it . Ezra 6 . 4 , Ezra 6 . 8-18

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 32 . 31 . General Nehemiah 11 . 23 . the king's Nehemiah 13 . 14 . house

Verse 21

Artaxerxes . Ezra 7 . 12 , Ezra 7 . 13

beyond the river . Ezra 4 . 16 , Ezra 4 . 20 , Ezra 6 . 6

Ezra the priest . Ezra 7 . 6 , Ezra 7 . 10 , Ezra 7 . 11

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 32 . 31 . General Judges 5 . 3 . even I Ezra 5 . 3 . Tatnai Ezra 8 . 36 . the king's commissions Nehemiah 2 . 7 . let letters Daniel 3 . 3 . the treasurers Matthew 13 . 52 . scribe Revelation 16 . 11 . the God

Verse 22

measures . Chal , cors , Luke 16 . 7 , *marg.

baths of wine . Ezekiel 45 . 14 , Luke 16 . 6 , *marg.

salt . Leviticus 2 . 13

Reciprocal . Deuteronomy 14 . 26 . bestow 2 Chronicles 2 . 10 . baths of wine

Verse 23

Whatsoever is commanded . Chal , Whatsoever is of the decree , Ezra 7 . 13 , Ezra 7 . 18

let it be . Psalm 119 . 4

why should there be wrath . As Artaxerxes believed he was appointed by the Almighty to do this work , he therefore wished to do it heartily; knowing that if he did not , God would be displeased , and that the kingdom would be cut off from him or his posterity. Ezra 6 . 10-12 , Zechariah 12 . 3

Reciprocal . Exodus 5 . 3 . lest he Ezra 5 . 8 . the great God Ezra 10 . 4 . for this matter Jeremiah 29 . 7 . pray Daniel 3 . 28 . Blessed Revelation 16 . 11 . the God

Verse 24

touching any . Ezra 7 . 7 , Ezra 2 . 36-55

Reciprocal . Genesis 47 . 22 . for the priests 1 Samuel 17 . 25 . free in Israel 1 Chronicles 9 . 33 . the singers 1 Chronicles 15 . 16 . And David Ezra 4 . 13 . toll Ezra 8 . 15 . and found Nehemiah 9 . 37 . it yieldeth Nehemiah 13 . 14 . house Matthew 22 . 17 . is

Verse 25

the wisdom . Ezra 7 . 14 , 1 Kings 3 . 28 , 1 Chronicles 22 . 12 , Psalm 19 . 7 , Psalm 119 . 98-100 , Proverbs 2 . 6 , Proverbs 6 . 23 , James 1 . 5 , James 3 . 17 , James 3 . 18

set magistrates . Exodus 18 . 21-25 , Deuteronomy 16 . 18 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 4 , 2 Chronicles 19 . 8-10

beyond the river . That is , "west of the Euphrates ," which was beyond with regard to the king of Persia , who was on the east. Ezra 6 . 6

teach ye . Ezra 7 . 10 , 2 Chronicles 17 . 7-9 , Nehemiah 8 . 1-3 , Nehemiah 8 . 7 , Nehemiah 8 . 8 , Nehemiah 9 . 3 , Nehemiah 13 . 1-3 , Malachi 2 . 7 , Matthew 13 . 52 , Matthew 23 . 2 , Matthew 23 . 3 , Mark 6 . 34 , Romans 10 . 14-17

Reciprocal . 2 Chronicles 30 . 22 . taught Jeremiah 30 . 21 . nobles Romans 7 . 1 . them that 2 Timothy 2 . 2 . who Hebrews 8 . 11 . Know the 2 Peter 3 . 15 . according

Verse 26

whosoever . Ezra 6 . 11 , Daniel 3 . 28 , Daniel 3 . 29 , Daniel 6 . 26

the law of thy God . 2 Chronicles 30 . 12

whether it be . Exodus 21 . 1 . Exodus 22 . 31 , Leviticus 20 . 1-27 , Deuteronomy 13 . 1-18

banishment . Chal , rooting out , Psalm 52 . 5

Reciprocal . Ezra 7 . 14 . according Ezra 7 . 18 . that do Ezra 10 . 8 . And that whosoever Nehemiah 13 . 21 . I will lay Nehemiah 13 . 25 . smote Jeremiah 30 . 21 . nobles

Verse 27

Blessed . There is a most amiable spirit of piety in these reflections. Instead of expatiating on the praises of his munificent patron , or boasting of his own services , he blesses God for "putting such a thing in the king's heart;" and for all the assistance and favour shown him by the king and his counsellors. Ezra 6 . 22 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 10-30 , Philippians 4 . 10

put such . Ezra 6 . 22 , Nehemiah 2 . 12 , Nehemiah 7 . 5 , 2 Corinthians 8 . 16 , Hebrews 8 . 10 , Hebrews 10 . 16 , James 1 . 17 , Revelation 17 . 17

in the king's heart . Nehemiah 2 . 8 , Proverbs 21 . 1

to beautify . Isaiah 60 . 13

Reciprocal . Genesis 43 . 14 . And God Exodus 35 . 21 . General Exodus 35 . 34 . he hath 1 Samuel 25 . 32 . General 1 Kings 8 . 50 . and give them 2 Chronicles 18 . 31 . God moved them 2 Chronicles 30 . 12 . the hand of God 2 Chronicles 31 . 8 . blessed 2 Chronicles 32 . 23 . gifts 2 Chronicles 33 . 13 . brought him Ezra 1 . 1 . the Lord Ezra 4 . 7 . the Syrian tongue Ezra 5 . 14 . the king Nehemiah 1 . 11 . grant Nehemiah 13 . 14 . house Psalm 96 . 9 . in the beauty of holiness Psalm 102 . 14 . General Psalm 126 . 3 . General Proverbs 3 . 6 . In Proverbs 16 . 1 . preparations Proverbs 29 . 26 . ruler's favour Jeremiah 40 . 5 . or go Daniel 1 . 9 . General Haggai 1 . 14 . stirred Matthew 21 . 3 . straightway Luke 6 . 38 . and it Luke 7 . 5 . and John 13 . 2 . put Acts 5 . 30 . God Acts 7 . 23 . it came Acts 22 . 14 . The God Acts 28 . 10 . laded Romans 6 . 17 . But Philippians 2 . 13 . to will

Verse 28

extended . Ezra 9 . 9 , Genesis 32 . 28 , Genesis 43 . 14 , Nehemiah 1 . 11

his counsellors . Ezra 7 . 14 , Jonah 3 . 7

And I was strengthened . In what the king decreed he saw the hand of God . he therefore gave Him the praise , and took courage.

as the hand . Ezra 7 . 6 , Ezra 7 . 9 , Ezra 5 . 5 , Ezra 8 . 18 , Nehemiah 2 . 8 , 2 Timothy 4 . 17 , 2 Timothy 4 . 18

Reciprocal . 1 Kings 8 . 50 . and give them Ezra 8 . 22 . The hand Ezra 8 . 31 . the hand Psalm 126 . 3 . General Proverbs 21 . 1 . The king's Proverbs 29 . 26 . ruler's favour Daniel 1 . 9 . General Haggai 1 . 14 . stirred Luke 6 . 38 . and it Luke 7 . 5 . and