ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezra 8

8:1–36 Ezra Journeys to Jerusalem with a New Wave of Returnees, Bearing Royal Gifts for the Temple. This section gives a more extended account of Ezra’s return to Jerusalem. Readers learn of those who returned with Ezra (vv. 1–14), how he recruited additional priests (vv. 15–20), their prayer for the journey (vv. 21–23), and Ezra’s provision for the temple (vv. 24–36).

Ezra 8:1–14 The party returning with Ezra was a considerable addition to Judah, numbered here according to the heads of their fathers’ houses, that is, heads of families (v. 1). There are two priestly divisions, namely, Phinehas and Ithamar. These were the remaining sons of Aaron following the judgment on Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1–7). Ezra was of the line of Phinehas (Ezra 7:5). Daniel (8:2) is otherwise unknown; he is not the Daniel carried off to Babylon in 605 b.c. A third division is a line of David (8:2; for Hattush, see 1 Chron. 3:22). Ezra’s party aims to replenish the priesthood, and perhaps also to renew the claims of the Davidic house to rule in Judah.

Ezra 8:15 The party camps outside Babylon at the river that runs to Ahava, no doubt one of the canals extending from the Euphrates. Ezra discovers that, though he had priests with him, there were none of the sons of Levi, that is, the Levites (see 2:40).

Ezra 8:17–19 Nothing is known of Iddo or of Casiphia. But apparently there were Levites and temple servants (see 2:43–54; 1 Chron. 9:2) in Casiphia, perhaps training for when there would be a temple again in Jerusalem. Mahli and Merari belong to the same Levitical family (Num. 3:33).

Ezra 8:21 a fast. Fasting had become important in the exile as a way of expressing repentance (see Neh. 9:1; Est. 4:3).

Ezra 8:22–23 On the power of his wrath, see 6:10; 7:23. Contrast Ezra’s policy in 8:22 with Nehemiah’s (Neh. 2:9). and he listened to our entreaty. God’s control of historical events is the background for this entire book (see Ezra 8:31; also note on 1:1).

Ezra 8:26 The amounts of silver and gold are extraordinarily large, the silver weighing around 25 tons (22 metric tons) and the gold 3.75 tons (3.4 metric tons).

Ezra 8:28–30 The priests themselves are holy to the Lord (Ex. 29:1). They are set aside for his service, as are the precious metals and vessels donated (see Ex. 30:26–29).

Ezra 8:31 The group sets out on the twelfth day of the first month (Nisan, March/April). The plan to leave on the first day (7:9) had been delayed by the need to send for more Levites. he delivered us from the hand of the enemy. Whether there were actual attacks on the group is not said, but God’s protection on the journey from Babylon recalls the exodus of Israel from Egypt.

Ezra 8:32–34 We came to Jerusalem. This was on the first day of the fifth month (Ab, July/August), after nearly four months of travel (see note on 7:9).

Ezra 8:35 For the first time, these exiles see and worship at the rebuilt temple.