2 Esdras (Ezra) 8
Commentary from 1 father
Of the sons of Phinees; Gerson: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Attus.
ἀπὸ υἱῶν Φινεές, Γηρσών· ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Ιθάμαρ, Δανιήλ· ἀπὸ υἱῶν Δαυίδ, ᾿Αττούς·
ѿ сынѡ́въ фїнее́совыхъ гирсѡ́нъ, ѿ сынѡ́въ і҆ѳама́рихъ данїи́лъ, ѿ сынѡ́въ даві́довыхъ а҆ттꙋ́съ,
Of the sons of Sachania, and the sons of Phoros; Zacharias: and with him a company [of] a hundred and fifty.
ἀπὸ υἱῶν Σαχανία καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Φόρος, Ζαχαρίας καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ σύστρεμμα ἑκατὸν καὶ πεντήκοντα·
ѿ сынѡ́въ сахані́иныхъ, ѿ сынѡ́въ форо́совыхъ заха́рїа, и҆ съ ни́мъ мꙋже́й сто̀ пѧтьдесѧ́тъ,
Of the sons of Phaath-Moab; Eliana the son of Saraia, and with him two hundred that were males.
ἀπὸ υἱῶν Φαὰθ Μωάβ, ᾿Ελιανὰ υἱὸς Σαραΐα καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ διακόσιοι τὰ ἀρσενικά·
ѿ сынѡ́въ фаа́ѳъ-мѡа́ва є҆лїана̀ сы́нъ сараі́евъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ двѣ́сти мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Zathoes; Sechenias the son of Aziel, and with him three hundred males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ζαθόης, Σεχενίας υἱὸς ᾿Αζιὴλ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τριακόσια τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ заѳои́совыхъ є҆хені́а сы́нъ а҆зїи́левъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ три́ста мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Adin; Obeth the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.
καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Αδίν, ᾿Ωβὴθ υἱὸς ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ πεντήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ а҆ді́ныхъ ѻ҆ви́нъ сы́нъ і҆ѡнаѳа́новъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ пѧтьдесѧ́тъ мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Elam; Iesia the son of Athelia, and with him seventy males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Ηλάμ, ᾿Ιεσία υἱὸς ᾿Αθελία καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἑβδομήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ є҆да́млихъ и҆са́їа сы́нъ а҆ѳелі́инъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ се́дмьдесѧтъ мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Saphatia; Zabadias the son of Michael, and with him eighty males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Σαφατία, Ζαβαδίας υἱὸς Μιχαὴλ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὀγδοήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ сафаті́евыхъ завді́а сы́нъ мїхаи́ловъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ ѻ҆́смьдесѧтъ мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Joab; Abadia the son of Jeiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Ιωάβ, ᾿Αβαδία υἱὸς ᾿Ιεϊὴλ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ διακόσιοι δεκαοκτὼ τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ і҆ѡа́влихъ а҆вді́а сы́нъ і҆еїи́левъ и҆ съ ни́мъ двѣ́сти ѻ҆смьна́десѧть мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Baani; Selimuth the son of Josephia, and with him a hundred and sixty males.
καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Βαανί, Σελιμοὺθ υἱὸς ᾿Ιωσεφία καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἑκατὸν ἑξήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ ваані́евыхъ селїмꙋ́ѳъ сы́нъ і҆ѡсефі́евъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ сто̀ шестьдесѧ́тъ мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Babi; Zacharias the son of Babi, and with him twenty-eight males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Βαβί, Ζαχαρίας υἱὸς Βαβὶ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰκοσιοκτὼ τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ ваві́евыхъ заха́рїа сы́нъ ваві́евъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ два́десѧть ѻ҆́смь мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Asgad; Joanan the son of Accatan, and with him a hundred and ten males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Ασγάδ, ᾿Ιωανὰν υἱὸς ᾿Ακκατὰν καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἑκατὸν δέκα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ а҆зга́довыхъ і҆ѡна́нъ сы́нъ і҆ката́новъ, и҆ съ ни́мъ сто̀ де́сѧть мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Adonicam [were the] last, and these [were] their names, Eliphalat, Jeel, and Samaea, and with them sixty males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν ᾿Αδωνικὰμ ἔσχατοι καὶ ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν· ᾿Ελιφαλάτ, ᾿Ιεὴλ καὶ Σαμαΐα καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ἑξήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά·
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ а҆дѡнїка́млихъ послѣ́днїи, и҆ сїѧ̑ и҆мена̀ и҆́хъ: є҆дїфала́ѳъ, і҆еїи́лъ и҆ самаі́а, и҆ съ ни́мъ шестьдесѧ́тъ мꙋже́й,
And of the sons of Baguae, Uthai, and Zabud, and with him seventy males.
καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Βαγουαΐ, Οὐθαΐ καὶ Ζαβοὺδ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἑβδομήκοντα τὰ ἀρσενικά.
и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ вагꙋа́евыхъ ᲂу҆ѳа́й и҆ завꙋ́дъ, и҆ съ ни́ми се́дмьдесѧтъ мꙋже́й.
And I gathered them to the river that comes to Evi, and we encamped there three days: and I reviewed the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there.
Καὶ συνῆξα αὐτοὺς πρὸς τὸν ποταμὸν τὸν ἐρχόμενον πρὸς τὸν Εὐί, καὶ παρενεβάλομεν ἐκεῖ ἡμέρας τρεῖς. καὶ συνῆκα ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἱερεῦσι, καὶ ἀπὸ υἱῶν Λευὶ οὐχ εὗρον ἐκεῖ.
Собра́хъ же и҆̀хъ къ рѣцѣ̀ текꙋ́щей ко є҆ѵі́и, и҆ пребы́хомъ тꙋ̀ трѝ дни̑: и҆ска́хъ же въ лю́дехъ и҆ во свѧще́нницѣхъ, и҆ ѿ сынѡ́въ леѵі́иныхъ не ѡ҆брѣто́хъ та́мѡ.
But I gathered them at the river that flows to Ahava. I do not remember reading this name of the place anywhere else. However, when it is later written, And I proclaimed there a fast by the river Ahava; and after some further writing, We set out from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month; it seems probable that Ahava is both a river and that another river flows into it, at the confluence of which Ezra gathered those who went up with him. Moreover, Josephus substitutes the Euphrates for this name. Whence Ahava can not incongruously be understood as some tributary of the river Euphrates.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And we stayed there three days, etc. Ezra acted prudently, so that before beginning such a journey, he carefully ensured he had a supply of ministers of the house of God, through whom, upon arriving in Jerusalem, he could complete what was necessary for the temple's use.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And I sent men of understanding to Eleazar, to Ariel, to Semeias, and to Alonam, and to Jarib, and to Elnatham, and to Nathan, and to Zacharias, and to Mesollam, and to Joarim, and to Elnathan.
καὶ ἀπέστειλα τῷ ᾿Ελεάζαρ, τῷ ᾿Αριήλ, τῷ Σεμεΐᾳ καὶ τῷ ᾿Αλωνὰμ καὶ τῷ ᾿Ιαρὶβ καὶ τῷ ᾿Ελνάθαμ καὶ τῷ Νάθαν καὶ τῷ Ζαχαρίᾳ καὶ τῷ Μεσολλὰμ καὶ τῷ ᾿Ιωαρὶμ καὶ τῷ ᾿Ελνάθαν συνίοντας.
И҆ посла́хъ ко є҆леаза́рꙋ, а҆рїи́лꙋ, семеі́ю и҆ къ маѡна́нꙋ, и҆ і҆ері́вꙋ и҆ є҆лнаѳа́мꙋ, и҆ наѳа́нꙋ и҆ заха́рїи и҆ месолла́мꙋ, и҆ ко і҆ѡарі́мꙋ и҆ є҆лнаѳа́нꙋ, премꙋ́дрыхъ,
And I forwarded them to the rulers with the money of the place, and I put words in their mouth to speak to their brethren the nathinim with the money of the place, that they should bring us singers for the house of our God.
καὶ ἐξήνεγκα αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ἄρχοντας ἐν ἀργυρίῳ τοῦ τόπου καὶ ἔθηκα ἐν στόματι αὐτῶν λόγους λαλῆσαι πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν τοὺς ναθινὶμ ἐν ἀργυρίῳ τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἐνέγκαι ὑμῖν ᾄδοντας εἰς οἶκον Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.
и҆ и҆зведо́хъ и҆̀хъ ко а҆да́ю нача́льникꙋ на мѣ́стѣ ка́сфїа и҆ вложи́хъ во ᲂу҆ста̀ и҆́хъ словеса̀ глаго́лати ко а҆да́ю и҆ бра́тїи є҆гѡ̀ а҆ѳїні́мѡмъ на мѣ́стѣ ка́сфїи, привестѝ на́мъ пою́щихъ въ до́мъ бг҃а на́шегѡ.
And I sent them to Iddo, etc. The Caspian Sea, as Orosius writes, rises from the northern region of the ocean, whose shores and deserted places around the ocean are uninhabited and uncultivated. From there, it extends southwards through long narrow passages, until, expanded over great distances, it is bordered by the roots of Mount Caucasus. It has many Hyrcanian and Scythian tribes from the east to the ocean, wandering widely due to the unfruitful spread of the lands. To the west, it has many tribes. But in general, the region far beyond Albania under the Caspian Sea and mountain is called by the name of the Amazons. It should be noted here that while historians write "Caspium," Ezra in this passage calls it "Casphiae." For the Hebrews, not having the letter P, use the letter Ph in Greek or barbarian names, such as Phetrus, Philatus. Therefore, it is also proven that the sons of Israel reached the places of Casphiae through the captivity by the Assyrians or Chaldeans, as Ezra sends there to bring ministers of the house of the Lord, namely Levites and Nethinim, whom Josephus calls sacred servants. It should be noted that they lived very freely in peace, even though they were among foreigners, who immediately at the command or request of Ezra could send such a large group of soldiers. For two hundred and fifty-eight chosen men were on that expedition, as their following catalog shows; to which Ezra being added, it is found that his army almost had the total of seventeen hundred men.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And they came to us, as the good hand of our God was upon us, even a man of understanding of the sons of Mooli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, and at the commencement came his sons and his brethren, eighteen.
καὶ ἤλθοσαν ἡμῖν, ὡς χεὶρ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἀγαθὴ ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς, ἀνὴρ σαχὼν ἀπὸ υἱῶν Μοολί, υἱοῦ Λευί, υἱοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ· καὶ ἀρχὴν ἦλθον οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ δεκαοκτώ·
И҆ прїидо́ша къ на́мъ, поне́же рꙋка̀ бг҃а на́шегѡ бѣ̀ бл҃га̀ на на́съ, мꙋ́жъ сахѡ́нъ {Є҆вр.: разꙋ́менъ.} ѿ сынѡ́въ моолі́евыхъ сы́на леѵі́ина, сы́на і҆и҃лева, и҆ сараві́а, и҆ сы́нове є҆гѡ̀ и҆ бра́тїѧ є҆гѡ̀ ѻ҆смьна́десѧть:
And Asebia, and Isaia of the sons of Merari, his brethren and his sons, twenty.
καὶ τὸν ᾿Ασεβία καὶ τὸν ᾿Ισαΐα ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν Μεραρί, ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ εἴκοσι·
и҆ а҆севі́а, и҆ и҆са́їа ѿ сынѡ́въ мера́рїныхъ и҆ бра́тїѧ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ сы́нове є҆гѡ̀ два́десѧть:
And of the nathinim; whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites [there were] two hundred and twenty nathinim; all were gathered by [their] names.
καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ναθινίμ, ὧν ἔδωκε Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες εἰς δουλείαν τῶν Λευιτῶν, ναθινὶμ διακόσιοι εἴκοσι· πάντες συνήχθησαν ἐν ὀνόμασι.
и҆ ѿ наѳїні́мѡвъ, и҆̀хже дадѐ даві́дъ и҆ кнѧ́зїе ко слꙋ́жбѣ леѵі́тѡмъ, наѳїні́мѡвъ двѣ́сти два́десѧть, всѝ собра́шасѧ по и҆менѡ́мъ.
And I proclaimed there a fast, at the river Aue, that [we] should humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our children, and for all our property.
καὶ ἐκάλεσα ἐκεῖ νηστείαν ἐπὶ τὸν ποταμὸν ᾿Αουὲ τοῦ ταπεινωθῆναι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ζητῆσαι παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὁδὸν εὐθεῖαν ἡμῖν καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις ἡμῶν καὶ πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει ἡμῶν.
И҆ проповѣ́дахъ та́мѡ по́стъ бли́з̾ рѣ́ки а҆ꙋѝ, є҆́же смири́тисѧ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ бг҃омъ на́шимъ, проси́ти ѿ негѡ̀ пꙋтѝ пра́вагѡ на́мъ и҆ ча́дѡмъ на́шымъ и҆ всемꙋ̀ стѧжа́нїю на́шемꙋ:
And I proclaimed there a fast, etc. An example of fasting and praying, when we want to commence something of great virtue: and because the faithful hope in the Lord never fails, nor can it happen that we do not obtain what we justly seek from a pious and just helper through abstinence and prayers with faith. But we must carefully observe that fasting is prescribed first, and thus prayer is subsequently instructed. For first he says, And I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before the Lord. And then he adds: And we asked for a straight way for us and our children, etc., up to the conclusion of the sentence: But we fasted, and we prayed to our Lord for this, and it turned out well for us. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that whoever enters to beseech the mercy of the Lord should first live more abstinently, to show themselves worthy to be heard; and thus, praying to the Lord, they should not doubt that what they request will turn out well for them.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
For I was ashamed to ask of the king a guard and horsemen to save us from the enemy in the way: for we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God [is] upon all that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath [are] upon all that forsake him.
ὅτι ᾔσχύνθην αἰτήσασθαι παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως δύναμιν καὶ ἱππεῖς σῶσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ ἐχθροῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, ὅτι εἴπαμεν τῷ βασιλεῖ λέγοντες· χεὶρ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ζητοῦντας αὐτὸν εἰς ἀγαθόν, καὶ κράτος αὐτοῦ καὶ θυμὸς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐγκαταλείποντας αὐτόν.
ᲂу҆стыдѣ́хсѧ бо и҆спроси́ти ѿ царѧ̀ си́лы и҆ кѡ́нникъ защи́тити на́съ ѿ врага̀ на пꙋтѝ, поне́же рѣ́хомъ царю̀ глаго́люще: рꙋка̀ бг҃а на́шегѡ є҆́сть на всѣ́хъ и҆́щꙋщихъ є҆го̀ во благо́е и҆ крѣ́пость є҆гѡ̀, ꙗ҆́рость же є҆гѡ̀ на всѣ́хъ ѡ҆ставлѧ́ющихъ є҆го̀.
So we fasted, and asked of our God concerning this; and he hearkened to us.
καὶ ἐνηστεύσαμεν καὶ ἐζητήσαμεν παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν περὶ τούτου, καὶ ἐπήκουσεν ἡμῖν.
Пости́хомсѧ же и҆ моли́хомсѧ бг҃ꙋ на́шемꙋ ѡ҆ се́мъ, и҆ ᲂу҆слы́ша на́съ.
And I gave charge to twelve of the chiefs of the priests, to Saraia, to Asabia, and ten of their brethren with them.
καὶ διέστειλα ἀπὸ ἀρχόντων τῶν ἱερέων δώδεκα, τῷ Σαραΐα, τῷ ᾿Ασαβίᾳ καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπὸ ἀδελφῶν αὐτῶν δέκα.
И҆ ѿлꙋчи́хъ ѿ кнѧзе́й свѧще́нническихъ двана́десѧть, сараі́ю, а҆саві́ю и҆ съ ни́ми ѿ бра́тїи и҆́хъ де́сѧть:
And I separated twelve of the chiefs of the priests, etc. It has been frequently said that the silver and gold and vessels sent from Babylon to Jerusalem signify souls, which are converted to the Lord from the confusion and errors of this world. Hence, Ezra appropriately entrusts such vessels to the priests, who are to carry them to Jerusalem; for it is necessary that through the hands of the priests, those who desire to reach the companionship of the holy Church are washed in baptism and consecrated to the Lord. Likewise, those who have separated themselves from the society of the Church through sin, and have fallen into the service of the devil, into the captivity of the Babylonian king by persevering in sins, must be reconciled to the holy Church through repentance by the ministry of the priests. And fittingly, there are twelve priests to whom this duty is assigned, on account of the twelve apostles, through whose teaching the Church was initially founded throughout the world, and who continue to build it up through their successors until the end of the age. To whom applies the statement that Ezra made to those same priests:
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And I weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of the first-fruits of the house of our God, which the king, and his councillors, and his princes, and all Israel that were found, had dedicated.
καὶ ἔστησα αὐτοῖς τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὰ σκεύη ἀπαρχῆς οἴκου Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἃ ὕψωσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ οἱ σύμβουλοι αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ᾿Ισραὴλ οἱ εὑρισκόμενοι.
возвѣ́сихъ же и҆̀мъ сребро̀ и҆ зла́то и҆ сосꙋ́ды нача́ткѡвъ до́мꙋ бг҃а на́шегѡ, ꙗ҆̀же вознесѐ ца́рь и҆ совѣ̑тницы є҆гѡ̀ и҆ кнѧ́зїе є҆гѡ̀, и҆ ве́сь і҆и҃ль ѡ҆брѣта́ѧйсѧ,
I even weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred silver vessels, and a hundred talents of gold;
καὶ ἔστησα ἐπὶ χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἀργυρίου τάλαντα ἑξακόσια πεντήκοντα καὶ σκεύη ἀργυρᾶ ἑκατὸν καὶ τάλαντα χρυσίου ἑκατὸν
и҆ да́хъ вѣ́сомъ въ рꙋ́ки и҆́хъ сребра̀ тала́нтѡвъ ше́сть сѡ́тъ пѧтьдесѧ́тъ, и҆ сосꙋ́дѡвъ сре́брѧныхъ сто̀, и҆ зла́та сто̀ тала̑нтъ,
and twenty golden bowls, [weighing] about a thousand drachms, and superior vessels of fine shining brass, [precious] as gold.
καὶ καφουρῆ χρυσοῖ εἴκοσι εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν χαμινὶμ χίλιοι καὶ σκεύη χαλκοῦ στίλβοντος ἀγαθοῦ διάφορα ἐπιθυμητὰ ἐν χρυσίῳ.
и҆ ча́шъ златы́хъ два́десѧть, дра́хмъ ты́сѧщꙋ, и҆ сосꙋ́ды мѣ́ди свѣ́тлыѧ до́брыѧ разли̑чныѧ, драгоцѣ̑нныѧ ꙗ҆́кѡ зла́то,
And I said to them, Ye [are] holy to the Lord; and the vessels [are] holy; and the silver and the gold are freewill-offerings to the Lord God of our fathers.
καὶ εἶπα πρὸς αὐτούς· ὑμεῖς ἅγιοι τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ τὰ σκεύη ἅγια, καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸ χρυσίον ἑκούσια τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ πατέρων ἡμῶν·
и҆ реко́хъ и҆̀мъ: вы̀ свѧ́ти гдⷭ҇ꙋ бг҃ꙋ, и҆ сосꙋ́ди свѧ́ти и҆ сребро̀ и҆ зла́то, є҆́же во́лею вдано̀ є҆́сть гдⷭ҇ꙋ бг҃ꙋ ѻ҆тє́цъ на́шихъ:
You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy, etc. For it is fitting that the teachers of the Church should never forget the holiness by which they themselves are consecrated to the Lord through the Holy Spirit, in the day of redemption, for which they also prepare their hearers to receive; so that those who have already been offered to the Lord through the rudiments of faith are further confirmed by the examples and admonitions of those who have preceded them in faith, and become worthy of entrance into the heavenly city. They must be watchful in all things and ensure that none of the souls, namely the vessels of the Lord, entrusted to them is lost, but that they bring them in their entirety to the gates of the holy city.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
Be watchful and keep them, until ye weigh [them] before the chief priests and the Levites, and the chiefs of families in Jerusalem, at the chambers of the house of the Lord.
ἀγρυπνεῖτε καὶ τηρεῖτε ἕως στῆτε ἐνώπιον ἀρχόντων τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν πατριῶν ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ εἰς σκηνὰς οἴκου Κυρίου.
бди́те и҆ стреги́те, до́ндеже вѣ́сомъ ѿдадитѐ пред̾ кнѧ̑зи свѧще́нникѡвъ и҆ леѵі́тѡвъ и҆ пред̾ кнѧ̑зи ѻ҆те́чествъ і҆и҃левыхъ во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мѣ, во ски́нїихъ до́мꙋ гдⷭ҇нѧ.
Be watchful and guard, until you weigh, etc. We weigh the silver and gold, and the vessels which we received from Ezra, before the leaders of the priests and Levites, and the heads of the families of Israel in Jerusalem, and into the treasury of the house of the Lord, when by teaching and instructing those whom the divine order has entrusted to us, we present them such that they may be found blameless and fit for the treasury of the heavenly court, that is, the seats of internal peace and light; and this not by the judgment of any men who may easily be deceived, but by the scrutiny of the blessed apostles, and other exalted men, who are with the Lord and are to judge our actions. These are indeed rightly understood to be the leaders of the priests and Levites, and the heads of the families of Israel, that is, the men or souls who see God. Concerning whom the Psalmist says to the Lord: "You will appoint them leaders over all the earth" (Psalm 45). And about whom Solomon, in the praises of the Church, says: "Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land" (Proverbs 31). At the gates, he speaks, in the context of the final examination.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
So the priests and the Levites took the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring to Jerusalem into the house of our God.
καὶ ἐδέξαντο οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται σταθμὸν τοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ τοῦ χρυσίου καὶ τῶν σκευῶν ἐνεγκεῖν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ εἰς οἶκον Θεοῦ ἡμῶν.
И҆ прїѧ́ша свѧще́нницы и҆ леѵі́ти вѣ́съ сребра̀ и҆ зла́та и҆ сосꙋ́дѡвъ, да вознесꙋ́тъ во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ въ до́мъ бг҃а на́шегѡ.
And we departed from the river of Aue on the twelfth day of the first month, to come to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy and adversary in the way.
Καὶ ἐξῄραμεν ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ ᾿Αουὲ ἐν τῇ δωδεκάτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ πρώτου τοῦ ἐλθεῖν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ· καὶ χεὶρ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἦν ἐφ᾿ ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἐχθροῦ καὶ πολεμίου ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ.
И҆ воздвиго́хомсѧ ѿ рѣ́ки а҆ꙋѝ во вторыйна́десѧть де́нь мцⷭ҇а пе́рвагѡ, да и҆́демъ во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ: и҆ рꙋка̀ бг҃а на́шегѡ бѣ̀ на на́съ и҆ и҆зба́ви на́съ ѿ рꙋ́къ вра́жїихъ и҆ ра́тникѡвъ на пꙋтѝ,
We therefore moved from the river Ahava on the twelfth, and all the rest full of mysteries. For it is read above that on the first day of the first month they began to go up from Babylon; and now it is said that on the twelfth day of the same month they moved from the river Ahava. Therefore, on the first day of the month, they went out from the gates of Babylon, but until the twelfth day, they waited by the mentioned river until they called Levites and Nathinneos from the region of Caspia to themselves and commended themselves to the Lord more diligently through fasting and praying due to the dangers of the long journey. So, when we teach the new people of the Church to renounce the devil and believe and confess the true God, it is as if we depart from Babylon at the beginning of the first month with money to be consecrated to the Lord; because we show them the beginning of a new conversation, which leads those who are snatched from the devil to the heavenly kingdom. Hence, the same month is usually called the month of new or new fruits in the Holy Scripture. For in the same month, under the same signification of new conversation, the fathers were brought out of Egypt by Moses. But when we give the symbol of faith to these same listeners of the new life, which was arranged by the twelve apostles and is comprehended by as many sentences, it is as if we stay twelve days in the first resting place; and so, we undertake the journey begun to the promised land, which by the acceptance of the knowledge of faith, we show them that a path of virtues must be entered upon to reach life. In these days, Ezra was occupied with fasting, prayers, and gathering Levites and Nathinneos with the children of the migration, because it is necessary that when we propose to acquire new people for faith, then we ourselves must especially give our attention to diligence in virtues, by which we commend ourselves more familiarly to the Lord, and offer an example of good action to those we instruct: we also call in a religious cohort of brethren to assist us, so that helped by them, we may more effectively transfer the souls of the faithful to the fellowship of the elect and to the summit of a more perfect life, as holy vessels to the temple of the Lord. It is aptly subjoined that those who came to Jerusalem from Babylon stayed there for three days, and then the silver, gold, and vessels they had brought were offered and weighed in the house of the Lord. Indeed, the three days of stay in Jerusalem represent the virtues that should be held by all the faithful, faith, hope, and charity. Therefore, it is necessary for teachers to show these virtues first in themselves, and then to offer those they have taught and instructed in these same virtues to be tested by the foremost fathers in Christ. For when the holy Church finds those we catechize to be proven in faith and action, as the vessels we offer in the temple, by the hands of the priests, it will find them to be of pure metal and perfect weight. This is also done daily in this Church through the chosen ones in the examination of the life of believers, and in the heavenly Jerusalem, it is more perfectly fulfilled in those who have merited to enter it, as we have said above. In this life, holy teachers, staying as it were for three days in Jerusalem, on the fourth day offer the silver and gold they have brought to be weighed by the priests, when they show themselves to be strong in faith, sublime in hope, fervent in love, and also demonstrate that their listeners shine like tested silver by the confession of true faith, gleam like pure gold through the purity of inviolate sense, and excel like vessels consecrated to God by accepting spiritual gifts. In the heavenly homeland, these same teachers first receive the grace of reward for their faith, hope, and love, and then also for those they have taught, as they are honored more for the precious and worthy vessels they have brought, as after the joy of a three-day stay in Jerusalem. But there is a difference between the vessels that Ezra offers with the priests in Jerusalem and those that above Zerubbabel and Joshua are said to have offered; because those were transported from the temple of the Lord to Babylon and afterward brought back to Jerusalem; but these were made in Babylon itself, but in devotion were sent to Jerusalem by the king or princes of Persia, or even by the people of Israel who lived in those parts. Therefore, those vessels signify those who, after receiving the knowledge and sacraments of faith, and after beginning virtuous works, are deceived by the ancient enemy and taken into the confusion of errors; but by the mercy of Christ’s grace, they are called back to salvation. However, these signify those who were born subject to the death of the first transgression by sin, but through the washing of regeneration by the ministry of priests, they were cleansed and gathered as children of the holy Church. Those represent penitents from their errors, these persevering nations in the beginning virtue. Concerning which it is well subjoined:
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.
καὶ ἤλθομεν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐκαθίσαμεν ἐκεῖ ἡμέρας τρεῖς.
и҆ прїидо́хомъ во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ и҆ пребы́хомъ тꙋ̀ трѝ дни̑.
And it came to pass on the fourth day that we weighed the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, in the house of our God, into the hand of Merimoth the son of Uria the priest; and with him [was] Eleazar the son of Phinees, and with them Jozabad the son of Jesus, and Noadia the son of Banaia, the Levites.
καὶ ἐγενήθη τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τετάρτῃ ἐστήσαμεν τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὰ σκεύη ἐν οἴκῳ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ χεῖρα Μεριμὼθ υἱοῦ Οὐρία τοῦ ἱερέως —καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ᾿Ελεάζαρ υἱὸς Φινεὲς καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ᾿Ιωζαβὰδ υἱὸς ᾿Ιησοῦ καὶ Νωαδία υἱὸς Βαναΐα, οἱ Λευῖται—
И҆ бы́сть въ де́нь четве́ртый, ѿда́хомъ вѣ́сомъ сребро̀ и҆ зла́то и҆ сосꙋ́ды въ домꙋ̀ бг҃а на́шегѡ под̾ рꙋ́кꙋ марїмѡ́ѳа сы́на ᲂу҆рі́и свѧще́нника, и҆ съ ни́мъ є҆леаза́ръ сы́нъ фїнее́совъ, и҆ съ ни́ми і҆ѡзава́дъ сы́нъ і҆исꙋ́совъ и҆ нѡаді́а сы́нъ ванаі́евъ леѵі́ти,
All things [were reckoned] by number and weight, and the whole weight was written [down].
ἐν ἀριθμῷ καὶ ἐν σταθμῷ τὰ πάντα, καὶ ἐγράφη πᾶς ὁ σταθμός. ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ
по числꙋ̀ и҆ вѣ́сꙋ всѧ̑: и҆ напи́санъ бы́сть ве́сь вѣ́съ.
And every weight was recorded in that time. For the priests in the temple record all the weight of silver and gold, and of the vessels offered to the Lord, just as diligent teachers examine the lives of those under them, and discern by careful inquiry how much each one has progressed in faith or work, and according to the measure of their capacity, they arrange each in the house of God by their fitting steps. But even if now the laziness of overseers lies dormant and either ignores the lives of those entrusted to them or pretends not to know them, the internal judge is present, who keeps intact the number of believers and the weight of each one’s soul in the balance of His examination, so that He may render to each according to his work. It can also be said; because when holy preachers reach the heavenly Jerusalem with those whom they have instructed, all the weight of their good action is recorded at that time in the book of life and they are rewarded in heaven with deserving retribution.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
At that time the children of the banishment that came from the captivity offered whole-burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve calves for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, twelve goats for a sin-offering; all whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord.
οἱ ἐλθόντες ἐκ τῆς αἰχμαλωσίας υἱοὶ τῆς παροικίας προσήνεγκαν ὁλοκαυτώσεις τῷ Θεῷ ᾿Ισραὴλ μόσχους δώδεκα περὶ παντὸς ᾿Ισραήλ, κριοὺς ἐνενηκονταέξ, ἀμνοὺς ἑβδομηκονταεπτά, χιμάρους περὶ ἁμαρτίας δώδεκα, τὰ πάντα ὁλοκαυτώματα τῷ Κυρίῳ.
Во вре́мѧ то̀, и҆̀же прїидо́ша ѿ плѣне́нїѧ сы́нове преселе́нїѧ, принесо́ша всесожжє́нїѧ бг҃ꙋ і҆и҃левꙋ, тельцє́въ двана́десѧть за всего̀ і҆и҃лѧ, ѻ҆внѡ́въ де́вѧтьдесѧтъ ше́сть, а҆́гнцєвъ се́дмьдесѧтъ се́дмь, козлѡ́въ за грѣхѝ двана́десѧть, всѧ̑ во всесожже́нїе гдⷭ҇ꙋ.
But also those who came from the captivity, the sons of the exile, etc. A great devotion and religiosity is shown by those who, when they came from captivity, arriving at the temple and altar of the Lord, first of all offered burnt offerings, not only for themselves but also for all Israel, that is, both for those who had already returned home and for those who were still enduring exile from their homeland, so that the mercy of their creator might protect them all. The spiritual meaning is also evident, that those who truly and perfectly escaped the captivity of the ancient enemy, by sinning they were held, but by repenting they freed themselves, who with firm intention submit to divine service, who wholly detach themselves from low desires, and are inflamed by the flame of heavenly desire to ascend to the heights. This is to offer burnt offerings, that is, wholly burned sacrifices or victims to the Lord, thinking or doing nothing but His will in all things. It is also a sign of a perfect mind when someone sacrifices for all Israel, that is, for the general well-being of all the faithful, as if mindful of unity and brotherhood in all, he supplicates the heavenly piety.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And they gave the king’s mandate to the king’s lieutenants, and the governors beyond the river: and they honoured the people and the house of God.
καὶ ἔδωκαν τὸ νόμισμα τοῦ βασιλέως τοῖς διοικηταῖς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τοῖς ἐπάρχοις πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν λαὸν καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
И҆ да́ша повелѣ́нїе царе́во прави́телємъ ца̑рскимъ и҆ кнѧзє́мъ, и҆̀же за рѣко́ю: и҆ просла́виша люді́й и҆ до́мъ бж҃їй.
They also delivered the king's edicts to the satraps, etc. Another edition has: And they glorified the people and the house of God. Therefore, they uplifted the people by making royal authority, with which Ezra was exalted, honorable to all. They also uplifted the house of God by adorning it more splendidly with vessels and gifts which the king, his counselors, and his princes sent to it; and by freeing its ministers and priests from tributes and taxes, except to the Lord alone. Mystically, however, the people and the temple of God held one and the same figure of the holy Church; which Ezra and the sons of the exile uplift, by bringing from Babylon the vessels sacred to God, when holy preachers, gathering to it, by the Lord's gift, the assemblies of believers, make it honorable to all even strangers and show it as awe-inspiring. Likewise, the same preachers, when they elevate those whom they instruct either by their examples in good conduct or by words towards the perception of the heavenly rewards, they now uplift the people and the house of God, because they indeed bring great joy both to those dwelling in the heavenly homeland and to those still journeying on earth.
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
And these [are] the heads of their families, the leaders that went up with me in the reign of Arthasastha the king of Babylon.
ΚΑΙ οὗτοι οἱ ἄρχοντες πατριῶν αὐτῶν, οἱ ὁδηγοὶ ἀναβαίνοντες μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐν βασιλείᾳ ᾿Αρθασασθὰ τοῦ βασιλέως Βαβυλῶνος·
И҆ сі́и кнѧ́зїе ѻ҆те́чествъ и҆́хъ вожде́ве, и҆̀же взыдо́ша со мно́ю въ ца́рство а҆ртаѯе́рѯа царѧ̀ вавѷлѡ́нска: