Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 1:11
All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
11. All the vessels, &c., five thousand and four hundred ] It is natural to expect that the words ‘all the vessels’ would give us the sum total of the different figures mentioned in Ezr 1:9-10. The sum total however mentioned here is 5400. The vessels enumerated under the six classes (in Ezr 1:9-10), when added together, make only 2499. Unless we concede that the text is incorrect, the only solution of the variation is to suppose that Ezr 1:9-10 omit a large number of less important vessels. This is unsatisfactory, since the words ‘and other vessels a thousand’ are obviously intended to cover the remainder.
It is probable therefore that the discrepancy arises from some ancient corruption in the text, which has been caused by copyists’ errors in transcribing numbers. This is a frequent source of mistake.
The LXX. has the same text as the Hebrew, so that the error is of very ancient origin. The 1st Book of Esdras has two variations in the list of items, reading (1) ‘1000’ for ‘30’ ‘chargers of gold’, (2) ‘2410’ for ‘410’ ‘silver bowls’ (reading ‘2000’ instead of ‘a second sort’), and gives a total corresponding to its figures, i.e. 5469.
Some scholars, seeing in the variations of 1 Esdras a clue to the true solution, maintain that the corruption of the text is to be found in the figures both of the items and of the total ( a) They reject the variation of ‘1000’ for ‘30’ chargers as a round number inserted by 1 Esdras; ( b) they read ‘1000’ for ‘30’ ‘bowls of gold’, on the ground that 30 is too small a figure, since Ezra himself brought 20 of this description (Ezr 8:28); ( c) they read ‘2410’ for ‘410 of a second sort,’ on the authority of 1 Esdras. These alterations bring the total to 5469, agreeing with 1 Esdras.
Ewald ( a) combining the reading of Ezra and 1 Esdras reads ‘1030’ for ‘30’ ‘chargers’, ( b) keeping the ‘30’ ‘bowls of gold’, accepts the 1 Esdras reading of 2410, and thus obtains the total of 5499.
Keil suspecting that the corruption is to be found in the sum total rather than in the items, suggests that by an accidental transposition of figures the true number of 2500 has become altered to 5400.
In favour of this view, it must be admitted that (1) the figure of 5400 is surprisingly large, (2) copyists had a greater tendency to increase than to reduce numbers. But as the items are given in detail, so we should expect the sum total to be given exactly and not merely in a round number. As we have the two best texts agreeing in this total figure 5400, it is better to look for the error among the items. The reading of 1 Esdras ‘2410’ may possibly be correct.
But in the absence of further evidence we are left to conjecture either that some items have accidentally fallen out or that some of the present figures have been wrongly transcribed.
with them of the captivity that were brought up ] R.V. when they of the captivity were brought up. The original here is rather condensed. The versions failed to translate the passage. LXX. [ ] . Vulg. ‘ universa tulit Sassabasar cum his, qui ascendebant de transmigratione Babylonis ’.
The meaning of the clause is practically the same. But the more precise sense conveyed by the R.V. is the only right translation, i.e. that Sheshbazzar brought up the vessels at the time when ‘the captivity’ was brought up. The emphasis is on the time of the removal not on the caravan which accompanied it.
were brought up ] the same word used of the ‘breaking up’ of a camp in Jer 37:11.
the captivity ] the reader will notice that the journey of Sheshbazzar and his companions from Babylon to Jerusalem is disposed of in a single verse. We hear nothing of the details or of the difficulties of the journey, which must have lasted three or four months, cf. Ezr 7:8-9.
It has been suggested that here should be introduced the passage 1Es 5:1-6 ‘After this were the principal men of the families chosen according to their tribes, to go up with their wives and sons and daughters, with their menservants and maidservants and cattle. (2) And Darius sent with them a thousand horsemen, till they had brought them back to Jerusalem safely, and with musical [instruments] tablets and flutes. (3) And all their brethren played, and he made them go up together with them. (4) And these are the names of the men which went up, according to their families among their tribes, after their several heads. (5) The priests, the sons of Phinees, the son of Aaron: Jesus, the son of Josedec, the son of Saraias, and Joacim, the son of Zerobabel, the son of Salathiel, of the house of David, out of the kindred of Phares, of the tribe of Judah; (6) who spake wise sentences before Darius the king of Persia in the second year of his reign in the month Nisan which is the first month.’ The name Darius being taken as an error for Cyrus, and Ezr 1:5-6 being considered to be an interpolation, the passage would give us information as to ( a) the orderly preparations, ( b) the armed escort, for the expedition, ( c) the festal character of the start, ( d) the date of the departure, and would throw light upon ‘the seventh month’ mentioned in Ezr 3:1, and ‘the second year’ mentioned in Ezr 3:8.
The general style fairly corresponds with that of the books Ezra and Chronicles. But ( a) it cannot be conceded that these verses join naturally on to chap. Ezr 2:1. ( b) In the original context (1 Esdras 5) they have all the appearance of a gloss inserted to connect the legend of Darius and the Three young men (3, 4) with the resumption of the narrative (Ezr 5:7). ( c) There is nothing impossible, supposing the passage to be a genuine extract from existing records, in such an expedition having been made in the second year of king Darius, and in supposing that the arrival of this priestly contingent would have encouraged the prophets Haggai and Zechariah in their task of arousing the people to complete the Temple (cf. the second year of Darius Hag 1:1; Zec 1:1).
The journey, which would have probably been N. and N.W. along the Euphrates by Haran as far as the fords of Carchemish, and then S.W. and S. through the territory of the old kingdoms of Hamath, Syria and Samaria, must have occupied a considerable interval of time. Ezra and his band took four months (ch. Ezr 7:8-9) in accomplishing the same distance. Perhaps no record was preserved of the incidents of the journey, and the compiler passes on to subjects for which he had written materials to draw from.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The sum of the numbers as they stand in the present Hebrew text is 2,499, instead of 5,400. In the Apocryphal Book of Esdras the sum given is 5,469, and with this sum the items in that place exactly agree (1 Esdras 2:13, 14). Most commentators propose to correct Ezra by the passage of Esdras; but the items of Esdras are improbable. Probably the sum total in the present passage has suffered corruption.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. All the vessels – were five thousand and four hundred.] This place is without doubt corrupted; here it is said the sum of all the vessels, of every quality and kind, was five thousand four hundred; but the enumeration of the articles, as given in Ezra 1:9; Ezra 1:10, gives the sum of two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine only. But we can correct this account from 1Esdras 2:13, 14.
I shall set both accounts down, that they may be compared together.
| EZRA, Ezr 1:9-11. | |
| Golden chargers …… | 30 |
| Silver chargers ……. | 1000 |
| Knives ………………. | 29 |
| Golden basons …….. | 30 |
| Silver ditto, second sort … | 410 |
| Other vessels ……… | 1000 |
| | —— |
| Said to be 5400 ……. | only 2499 |
| | —— |
| Difference of the first account from itself .. | 2901 |
| 1 ESDRAS, 1Esdras 2:13, 14. | |
| Golden cups ……. | 1000 |
| Silver cups ……… | 1000 |
| Silver censers …. | 29 |
| Golden vials …….. | 30 |
| Silver vials ……… | 2410 |
| Other vessels …… | 1000 |
| | —— |
| Total ……………. | 5469 |
| | —— |
| Difference of the second account from the first … | 69 |
According, therefore, to the sum total in Ezra, the sum total in Esdras is only 69 different. See the next chapter.
It may be said that the vessels did actually amount to 5400, and that the chief of them only were intended to be specified; and these happen to amount to 2499; but that it was not the design of Ezra to insert the whole; and that the ninth verse should be considered as stating, And of the chief of them, that is, the gold and silver articles, this is the number. But the expression in Ezr 1:10, other vessels, sets this conjecture aside: the place is most manifestly corrupted.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
11. All the vessels of gold and ofsilver were five thousand and four hundredThe vessels herespecified amount only to the number of 2499. Hence it is probablethat the larger vases only are mentioned, while the inventory of thewhole, including great and small, came to the gross sum stated in thetext.
them of the captivity thatwere brought up from Babylon unto JerusalemAll the Jewishexiles did not embrace the privilege which the Persian king grantedthem. The great proportion, born in Babylon, preferred continuing intheir comfortable homes to undertaking a distant, expensive, andhazardous journey to a desolate land. Nor did the returning exilesall go at once. The first band went with Zerubbabel, othersafterwards with Ezra, and a large number with Nehemiah at a stilllater period.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
All the vessels of gold, and of silver, were five thousand and four hundred,…. Those that are mentioned make no more than 2499, which Aben Ezra thinks were the larger vessels; but this general sum takes in great and small, as in 2Ch 36:18 in the letter of Cyrus, before mentioned, these vessels are more particularly described, and their several numbers given, which together amount to the exact number in the text, 5400; the apocryphal Ezra makes them 5469:
all these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity, that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem: of whom there is a large and particular account in the following chapter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred.” But only 30 + 1000 , 29 , 30 + 410 covered goblets, and 1000 other vessels are enumerated, making together 2499. The same numbers are found in the lxx. Ancient interpreters reconciled the difference by the supposition that in the separate statements only the larger and more valuable vessels are specified, while in the sum-total the greater and lesser are reckoned together. This reconciliation of the discrepancy is, however, evidently arbitrary, and cannot be justified by a reference to 2Ch 36:18, where the taking away of the greater and lesser vessels of the temple at the destruction of Jerusalem is spoken of. In Ezr 1:11 it is indisputably intended to give the sum-total according to the enumeration of the separate numbers. The difference between the two statements has certainly arisen from errors in the numbers, for the correction of which the means are indeed wanting. The error may be supposed to exist in the sum-total, where, instead of 5400, perhaps 2500 should be read, which sum may have been named in round numbers instead of 2499.
(Note: Ewald (Gesch. iv. p. 88) and Bertheau think they find in 1 Esdr. 2:12, 13, a basis for ascertaining the correct number. In this passage 1000 golden and 1000 silver , 29 silver , 30 golden and 2410 silver , and 1000 other vessels, are enumerated (1000 + 10000 + 29 + 30 + 2410 + 1000 = 5469); while the total is said to be 5469. But 1000 golden bear no proportion to 1000 silver, still less do 30 golden to 2410 silver. Hence Bertheau is of opinion that the more definite statement 30, of the Hebrew text, is to be regarded as original, instead of the first 1000; that, on the other hand, instead of the 30 golden , 1000 originally stood in the text, making the total 5469. Ewald thinks that we must read 1030 instead of 1000 golden ( ), and make the total 5499. In opposition to these conjectures, we prefer abiding by the Hebrew text; for the numbers of 1 Esdras are evidently the result of an artificial, yet unskilful reconciliation of the discrepancy. It cannot be inferred, from the fact that Ezra subsequently, at his return to Jerusalem, brought with him 20 golden , that the number of 30 such given in this passage is too small.)
, at the bringing up of the carried away, i.e., when they were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem. The infinitive Niphal , with a passive signification, occurs also Jer 37:11.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
11. Five thousand and four hundred This sum does not agree with the preceding numbers, which are 30+1,000+29+30+410+1,000=2,499. In 1Es 2:13-14, the number of vessels mentioned amounts to 5,469. Some expositors think the enumeration of vessels (in Ezr 1:9-10) includes only the larger and more costly, while the gross sum here mentioned includes all, both small and great, which Nebuchadnezzar carried away. But that explanation is arbitrary and conjectural. The probability is that some of the numbers here are corrupt, but all attempts now to amend the text are mere conjectures.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 11. The vesselswere five thousand and four hundred The sum total of these vessels amounts only to two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine. Houbigant supposes the number to be this sum total, as all the versions pretty nearly agree in the separate sums. Kennicott, however, thinks that the error lies in the four hundred and ten silver basons. That thousands, says he, were expressed anciently by single letters with a dot over them, may be presumed from this verse, where the silver basons are said to be (of a second sort, without mentioning any first) four hundred and ten; but in the parallel account, 1Es 2:13 we find the same silver basons to have been two thousand four hundred and ten. Now if beth, which stands for the number two, with a dot over it, stood for two thousand, the letter might very easily be copied without the dot. Afterwards, when, in consequence of the corruptions which had been found to arise from numeral letters, numbers were expressed, as they now are in the Hebrew copies, by words at length, the being thus reduced to signify two, was of course written shenaiim; but this word making nonsense with the following, i.e. two four hundred and ten, has been since changed into mishnim; a word not very agreeable to the sense here, and a word which renders this account not only repugnant to the parallel chapter, but also inconsistent with itself, as leaving the sum total now specified in the Hebrew text very deficient, for want of the two thousand thus omitted. This conjecture is confirmed by a Latin MS. in Exeter College library, which reads two thousand four hundred and ten; and is supported not only by five other Latin manuscripts in the Bodleian, but likewise by two in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s library at Lambeth. Kenn. Dissert. vol. 2: p. 213. 508. 564. A learned anonymous writer, however, is of opinion that there is no need of any alteration. “Ezra,” says he, “might at one time make particular mention of such vessels only as were perhaps chiefly used, or were most remarkable, and might mean to include all the rest in the general round sum of five thousand four hundred; and ver might afterwards think proper to write a more circumstantial history, setting down the exact number of each kind of vessels, together with the particular amount or total of the whole. In Josephus, Antiq. 11: ch. 5 the , (30) and the , (30) correspond very well with the chargers of gold, and basons of gold, mentioned by Ezra. As to the other numbers, they all differ from the account in Ezra, as from that in Esdras, except the one thousand other vessels; and the addition of the whole amounts to no more than five thousand two hundred and ten; yet, as he has not himself given a total number, he cannot be said to contradict either of the others. Now, as not one of the articles in the Hebrew account of Ezra exceeds the numbers of those in Esdras, there can be no contradiction therein, because each number may be included in the corresponding number in Esdras. And further, if the number in each article in Ezra had been exactly the same with those in Esdras, the sum total, five thousand four hundred, would have appeared more like a mistake; but as they amount to no more than two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine, it is plain that the writer did not mean to enumerate every single vessel, because he afterwards gives a round sum total of even hundreds, viz. five thousand four hundred, which is more frequent in historians than exact and particular sums; therefore a person must be very little acquainted with history, who supposes that this is a contradiction to the sum total in Esdras, because the odd number sixty-nine is omitted.”
REFLECTIONS.In consequence of the proclamation, we have here a stirring among the dry bones; and the spirit of life breathing upon them, to arise and return to their own land.
1. Judah and Benjamin were the first to lead the way. The chief fathers of the families assembled; and the priests and Levites, zealous for the re-establishment of the service of God, readily embraced the permission given them. A thousand difficulties were, indeed, in their way; by their long abode in Babylon, many were now comfortably settled; they were utter strangers to the land whither they were going, and could expect to find there nothing but ruin and desolation; not so much as a house to cover their heads; yet all these things discouraged them not: God animated their hearts with desire for his temple’s restoration at Jerusalem, and filled them with a noble love of liberty. Note; (1.) When God’s service requires to be set forward, his ministers should be the first to promote it. (2.) The Lord must raise up our hearts, or else our earth-born souls will choose their rest in Babylon. (3.) The gospel, like this proclamation, calls forth the sinner from his bondage; and, though the way to the glorious land of life and liberty is difficult, those who dare trust their all with God, boldly go forth; while others, disheartened by the prospect of danger, refuse to follow the divine mandate, and live and die the servants of corruption.
2. The Chaldeans liberally assisted the returning Israelites; and they who stayed at Babylon willingly offered of their substance for the furtherance of the temple of God; while Cyrus, their great benefactor, nobly restores to them all the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried to Babylon, and placed in the temple of his idol gods. Note; God can make the great men of the world contribute to the support of his cause, and assist in the furtherance of his service.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
HERE let our contemplations be called forth in the account given of Cyrus, and behold in him a lively type of the truly anointed of the Lord, full of grace and truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Cyrus was foretold two hundred years before he came, that he should deliver the Lord’s people froth Babylon, But Jesus was held forth as a deliverer of the Lord’s people from sin and death, from everlasting. The one ministered to a temporal salvation; the other to an eternal. The one proved a blessing for a time; the other forever. The one saved from this world’s sorrow; the other from all the evils of this life and that which is to come. Hail! all-glorious, almighty Deliverer! the Lord of hosts is thy name.
But, my soul, did Cyrus proclaim deliverance to captives? Did the Persian king cause it to be published that everyone with whom God was might go out free, and return to Jerusalem from their captivity? And did the people willingly offer themselves, in whose hearts the Spirit of Jehovah was, to avail themselves of these privileges? And shall Jesus, whom the Father hath anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, and to give liberty to the captives, issue forth his proclamation and none regard it? Oh! Lord God! thou who didst graciously put thy Spirit into the minds of the chief of the fathers; put forth thy Spirit now. Lord incline the hearts of sinners, that they may see and know the year of jubilee is come. Let that precious promise be fulfilled in which thou hast said, In the day that the great trumpet is blown, they shall come that are ready to perish. Do thou, precious Lord Jesus! do thou work in the minds of sinners both to will and to do of thy good pleasure. And Lord in mercy grant, that none of thine may remain in the Babylon of this world, nor be fond of the chains which sin and Satan hath cast around them. Let them hear thy voice thou Son of God. for thou hast said, all that h ear shall live, By the blood of thy covenant bring forth the prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. Take to thyself thy great name, and reign and rule the Almighty, universal Lord, of all. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ezr 1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Ver. 11. All the vessels of gold and of silver ] Those best of metals, and therefore fittest for his use and service who is good, Psa 106:1 , better, Psa 108:9 , best, Phi 1:23 , goodness itself, Mat 19:17 . Whose great purse is the earth, with all that is either on it or in it, Psa 24:1 ; whose great storehouse are the stars and planets, the sun especially making these metals, and causing plenty, Deu 28:12 . Let us lavish out of the bag, and when we have honoured the Lord with the best of our best, cry out with David, Of thine own, Lord, have we given thee, 1Ch 29:16 ; and with Justinian, dedicating a very rich communion table, , &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the vessels: Rom 9:23, 2Ti 2:19-21
five thousand: Instead of 5,400, the enumeration of the articles in 2Ti 2:9, 2Ti 2:10, only amounts to 2,499; but in the account, Esdras 2Ti 2:13, 2Ti 2:14, the amount is 5,469, as will be evident from the following statements:
In EzraIn Esdras
Gold chargers30Gold cups1,000
Silver chargers1,000Silver cups1,000
Knives29Silver censers29
Gold basons30Gold vials30
Silver basons410Silver vials2,410
Other vessels1,000Other vessels1,000
Said to be5,400Total5,469
But only2,499
Deficiency2,901Surplus69
It is supposed that they actually amounted to 5,400, but that only the chief of there specified, the spoons, etc. being omitted.
captivity: Heb. transportation, Mat 1:11, Mat 1:12
Reciprocal: Ezr 1:8 – Sheshbazzar Ezr 2:2 – Zerubbabel Ezr 4:1 – children of the captivity Ezr 5:14 – Sheshbazzar Psa 85:1 – thou hast Jer 27:22 – then
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up {k} with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
(k) With the Jews who had been kept captive in Babylon.