1 Esdras chapter 7
[This chapter is in Orthodox Bibles] The temple is dedicated. The Passover.
Note. The Book of First Esdras is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox Churches
THE TEMPLE IS DEDICATED
VERSE 1. Then Sisinnes the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, with their companions, following the commandments of King Darius,
Ezra 6:13. Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree.
VERSE 2. very carefully supervised the holy work, assisting the elders of the Jews and rulers of the temple.
This verse says Gentiles are actively involved in the rebuilding of the temple.
In contrast, Ezra only speaks of Gentiles providing raw materials:
Ezra 6:13. Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree.
VERSE 3. So the holy work prospered, while Aggaeus and Zacharias the prophets prophesied.
VERSE 4. They finished these things by the commandment of the Lord, the God of Israel, and with the consent of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of the Persians.
VERSE 5. So the holy house was finished by the twenty-third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius.
This was April 1, 515 BC.
VERSE 6. The children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the others who returned from captivity who joined them did what was written in the book of Moses.
VERSE 7. For the dedication of the Lord’s temple, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs,
VERSE 8. and twelve male goats for the sin of all Israel, according to the number of the twelve princes of the tribes of Israel.
VERSE 9. The priests and the Levites stood arrayed in their vestments, according to their kindred, for the services of the Lord, the God of Israel, according to the book of Moses. The gatekeepers were at every gate.
gatekeepers were at every gate. Ezra does not mention the gatekeepers:
Ezra 6.18. They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
THE PASSOVER
VERSE 10. The children of Israel who came out of captivity held the Passover the fourteenth day of the first month, when the priests and the Levites were sanctified together,
VERSE 11. with all those who returned from captivity; for they were sanctified. For the Levites were all sanctified together,
VERSE 12. and they offered the Passover for all who returned from captivity, for their kindred the priests, and for themselves.
VERSE 13. The children of Israel who came out of the captivity ate, even all those who had separated themselves from the abominations of the heathen of the land, and sought the Lord.
VERSE 14. They kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days, rejoicing before the Lord,
VERSE 15. because he had turned the counsel of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the Lord, the God of Israel.
the king of Assyria. This is an unusual and incorrect title for Darius.
he had turned the counsel of the king of Assyria toward them. In our day, some Christians view their employer (or pastor) as a sort of “king.” However, this notion is not in the New Testament. Read more »
1 ESDRAS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
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