Scofield Reference Bible Notes/Ezra

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - Ezra

Read first chapter of Ezra
Ezra, the first of the post-captivity books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi), records the return to Palestine under Zerubbabel, by decree of Cyrus, of a Jewish remnant who laid the temple foundations (B.C. 536). Later (B.C. 458) Ezra followed, and restored the law and ritual. But the mass of the nation, and most of the princes, remained by preference in Babylonia and Assyria, where they were prospering. The post-captivity books deal with that feeble remnant which alone had a heart for God.
The book is in two parts:

• From the decree of Cyrus to the dedication of the restored temple, 1:1-6:22.
• The ministry of Ezra, 7:1-10:44.

The events recorded in Ezra cover a period of 80 years (Ussher).

CHAPTER 2

Verse 1

are the children
Probably individuals from all of the tribes returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah, but speaking broadly, the dispersion of the ten tribes (Ephraim- Israel) still continues; nor can they now be positively identified. They are, however, preserved distinct from other peoples and are known to God as such, though they themselves, few in number, know Him not Deuteronomy 28:62; Isaiah 11:11-13; Hosea 3:4; 8:8.
The order of the restoration was as follows:

• (1) The return of the first detachment under Zerubbabel and Jeshua (B.C. 536), Ezra 1.-6., and the books of Haggai and Zechariah;
• (2) the expedition of Ezra (B.C. 458), seventy-eight years later (Ezra 7.-10);
• (3) the commission of Nehemiah (B.C. 444), fourteen years after the expedition of Ezra. Nehemiah 2:1-5.

Verse 2

Zerubbabel
Called Zorobabel, Matthew 1:12,13.

Verse 63

Urim
(See Scofield "Exodus 28:30").

CHAPTER 3

Verse 1

seventh month
i.e. October; also Ezra 3:6.

Verse 6

seventh month
i.e. October.

Verse 8

second month
i.e. May.

CHAPTER 4

Verse 2

for we seek
The people of the land sought to hinder the work in three ways:

• (1) by seeking to draw the Jews into an unreal union, Ezra 4:3. (cf) 2 Kings 17:32.
• (2) by "weakening the hands of the people of Judah," Ezra 4:4 i.e, by withholding supplies, etc.; and
• (3) by accusations lodged with Ahasuerus and Darius. The first was by far the most subtle and dangerous. The lives of Ezra and Nehemiah afford many illustrations of true separation. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Verse 6

Ahasuerus
The Cambyses of secular history (529-521 BC); not the Ahasuerus of Esther, who is the Xerxes of secular history (485 BC). (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31").

Verse 7

Artaxerxes
The Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:7 is identical with Ahasuerus of Ezra 4:6, i.e. the Cambyses of profane history. The Artaxerxes of Ezra 7:1 is the Longimanus of secular history, BC 418. But (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31").

Verse 21

Give
Chald. make a new decree.

CHAPTER 5

Verse 8

great stones
Chald. stones of rolling.

CHAPTER 6

Verse 6

your companions
Chald. "their societies."

Verse 14

finished it
The worship of Jehovah was thus re-established in Jerusalem, but the theocracy was not restored. The remnant which returned from the Babylonian captivity lived in the land by Gentile sufferance, though doubtless by the providential care of Jehovah, till Messiah came, and was crucified by soldiers of the fourth Gentile world-empire Rome, Daniel 2:40; 7:7. Soon after (A.D. 70) Rome destroyed the city and temple. See "Times of the Gentiles" ; Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:19.

Verse 15

Adar
twelfth month i.e. March.

Verse 19

first month
i.e. April.

CHAPTER 7

Verse 8

fifth month
i.e. August.

Verse 9

first month i.e. April.
fifth month i.e. August.

CHAPTER 8

Verse 31

first month
i.e. April.

CHAPTER 10

Verse 9

ninth month
i.e. December.

Verse 16

tenth month
i.e. January.

Verse 17

first month
i.e. April.

Verse 40

Machnadebai
Or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies.