Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 7:8
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year of the king.
8. And he came ] This verse resumes Ezr 7:6. ‘He came’ at the same time with those enumerated in Ezr 7:7. The importance of this journey to Jerusalem centres in Ezra.
the fifth month ] This was the month Ab, the Assyrian Abu, corresponding roughly with our ‘August’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 8. He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month] From the following verse we learn that Ezra and his company set off from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and thus we find they were upwards of four months on their journey. They could not travel fast, as they were a great company, composed in part of the aged and infirm, besides multitudes of women and children. They appear also to have taken a circuitous route. See on Ezr 8:24-32,
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
8. he came to Jerusalem in the fifthmonththat is, corresponding to the end of our July orbeginning of our August. As he left Babylon on the Jewish New Year’sDay (Ezr 7:9), the journey musthave occupied not less than four months (a long period), but it wasnecessary to move at a slow pace and by short, easy stages, as he hadto conduct a large caravan of poor people, including women, children,and all their household gear (see on Ezr8:24).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month,…. With the above company; this was the month Abib, answering to part of July and part of August: which was in the seventh year of the king; as in the preceding verse.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(8) In the seventh year.The repeated notes of time must be marked. The journey itself comes afterwards: it is here indicated as having occupied four months. Ezras company also is summarised beforehand, according to the manner of this book.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. The fifth month Ab, corresponding nearly with our August.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year of the king.
Ver. 8. And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month ] So that they were four months in coming; and that which upheld them was, that they should shortly see the face of God in Zion, Psa 84:7 . Popish pilgrims, though they have many a weary step, and meet with much hardship, besides loss of their estates, yet satisfy themselves in this, We have what we came for, viz. the sight of some dumb idol. What then should not we do or suffer to see God in his ordinances, in holy assemblies!
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Ezr 7:8-10
8He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezr 7:8 in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king This would be July/August of 457 B.C.
Ezr 7:9 on the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem The journey took approximately 4 months and covered about 900 miles.
the good hand of his God was upon him Israel used anthropomorphic language to describe their God, though they knew He was spirit (e.g., 1Ki 8:27) and did not take any physical form (cf. Exo 20:4). These human metaphors quickly and adequately communicate God’s personhood. God’s hand was a metaphor for His activity in His creation. It is used both positively of God’s presence and blessing as in this verse (cf. Exo 4:17; Exo 13:3) or for His judgment.
Ezr 7:10 Ezra had set his heart This VERB (BDB 465, KB 464, Hiphil PERFECT) means be resolute, be firm, be prepared, be committed to. Ezra responded to God’s call and actively allowed God to equip him. This is the covenant concept (See Special Topic: COVENANT ).
1. God’s initiation and provision
2. human faith response
to study. . .to practice. . .to teach This is a chronologically appropriate order for studying (BDB 205), practicing (BDB 793 I), and then teaching (BDB 540) the truths of God. The first two are Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS and the last is a Peel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT. Knowledge brings responsibility (cf. Luk 12:48) to God, to ourselves, and to others!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
fifth month. Nisan (March-April). App-51.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
fifth month
i.e. August.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Reciprocal: Ezr 8:32 – General Ezr 9:9 – in the sight Ezr 10:9 – the ninth month Est 2:16 – the seventh Dan 9:25 – from
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the {d} fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year {e} of the king.
(d) That contained part of July and part of August.
(e) Of king Darius.