Ezra 1

Ezra 1:1

Now in the first year] Hebr. And in one year. Thus coupling his Book with the end of Chronicles. As the like is in the beginning of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, and many other Books. See moreover the Annotations on Ezek. I. 1.

One for First is an usual Scripture phrase.

And First here, is of his Conquest of Babylon, and of his reigne there: For he was King of Persia, not Monarch, many years before, chap. V. 13.

Charged me] Esay XLIV. 2 28. and XLV. 1, 13. This prophesie might likely be shewed to Cyrus, by Daniel or some other.

Ezra 1:7

vessels] Such as were not cut in pieces, 2 Kings XXIV. 13.

Ezra 1:8

Sheshbazzar] The Chaldee or Court-name of Zerubbabel, Ezra I. 8. and III. 8, 10. and V. 2, 14. As Belteshazzar was of Daniel. The same work that is ascribed to Sheshbazzar, chap. V. 16. is ascribed to Zerubbabel, Zech. IV. 9.

Ezra 1:11

were five thousand four hundred] This number ariseth out of the particular numbers formerly mentioned, amounting to two thousand four hundred ninety nine, and the rest that were unnumbered. Moreover are vessels given, chap. VII. 19. and chap. VIII. 25, 27, See the carrying of them away by Nebuchadnezzar, at four several times, Dan. I. 2. 2 Chron. XXXVI. 7, 10, 18.