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34 And of the sons of Maani ; Jeremias, Momdis, Omaerus, Juel, Mabdai, and Pelias, and Anos, Carabasion, and Enasibus, and Mamnitanaimus, Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Samis, Selemias, Nathanias: and of the sons of Ozora; Sesis, Esril, Azaelus, Samatus, Zambis, Josephus.

35 And of the sons of Ethma; Mazitias, Zabadaias, Edes, Juel, Banaias.

36 All these had taken strange wives, and they put them away with their children.

37 And the priests and Levites, and they that were of Israel, dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the country, in the first day of the seventh month: so the children of Israel were in their Or, villages. || habitations.

n Neh. 8 1.

about 445.

38 And the whole multitude came together with one accord into the broad place of the holy porch toward the east:

39 And they spake unto Esdras the priest and reader, that he would bring the law of Moses, that was given of the Lord God of Israel.

40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the law unto the whole multitude from man to woman, and to all the priests, to hear the law in the first day of the seventh month.

41 And he read in the broad court before the holy porch from morning unto midday, before both men and women; and all the multitude gave heed unto the law.

42 And Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon a pul

Apocrypha.

pit of wood, which was made for that purpose.

Before CHRIST about 445.

43 And there stood up by him Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, || Ezecias, || Balasamus, Or, Hilkiah. upon the right hand:

| Or,

Maasiah.

44 And upon his left hand stood || Phaldaius, Misael, Melchias, || Lo- or thasubus, and || Nabarias.

Pedaiah. | Or,

Hashum.

45 Then took Esdras the book of See Neh. 8. the law before the multitude: for he

sat

them all.

honourably in the first place in Heb. above the sight of them all.

46 And when he opened the law, they stood all straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God most High, the God of hosts, Almighty.

47 And all the people answered, Amen; and lifting up their hands they fell to the ground, and worshipped the Lord.

Hodijah.

48 Also Jesus, Anus, Sarabias, Adinus, Jacubus, Sabateas, || Auteas, or, Maianeas, and Calitas, Azarias, and Joazabdus, and Ananias, Biatas, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, making them withal to understand it.

hemiah, and

49 Then spake Attharates unto || Then NeEsdras the chief priest and reader, Ezra the and to the Levites that taught the priest the multitude, even to all, saying,

scribe, and the Levites that instructed the

50 This day is holy unto the Lord; people, said (for they all wept when they heard unto all the the law :)

51 Go then, and eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send part to || them that have nothing;

52 For this day is holy unto the Lord: and be not sorrowful; for the Lord will bring you to honour.

53 So the Levites published all things to the people, saying, This day is holy to the Lord; be not sorrowful.

54 Then went they their way, every one to eat and drink, and make merry, and to give part to them that had nothing, and to make great chear;

55 Because they understood the words wherein they were instructed, and for the which they had been assembled.

people,

Neh. 8. 9.

|| Or, the poor.

II. ESD RAS.

INTRODUCTION.

THE second book of Esdras is not now to be found in any Hebrew or Greek manuscripts. It is supposed to have been originally written in the Greek language; but is extant only in a few Latin copies, and in an Arabick version. It is generally maintained, that the work could not have been the genuine production of Ezra, as it seems to bear some intrinsick marks of having been composed after his time, and, indeed, after the period at which the prophetick spirit is reputed to have ceased; notwithstanding also the author's confident assumption of the prophetick character, his pretensions to inspiration have not been admitted. It is not, indeed, probable, that an inspired writer would have claimed a name to which he was not entitled; or have interspersed in his work those extravagant conceits and inconsistencies which occasionally disfigure and degrade this production. The book, it is true, contains much sublime instruction, many animated exhortations to righteousness, and many sentiments not unworthy of the sacred source from whence they are related to have flowed. It represents Ezra as commanded to remonstrate with the people for their disobedience; and on their contempt of God's words, as addressing himself to the heathen, whom he enjoins to prepare for that "everlasting light" which should shine upon them. It describes the Prophet as pleading with submissive piety for the removal of the afflictions of his captive countrymen; as anxiously inquiring why the chosen people of the Almighty should suffer severer punishments for their sins than the heathen, for whom they were seemingly rejected, chap. iii. 28; iv. 23—31; as lamenting the effects of entailed corruption, chap. iii. 20—22; iv. 30—32; vii. 48; as bewailing the evil propensities and condition of men, of whom a few only appear to be marked out and distinguished as objects of Divine favour, chap. iv. 12; vii. 4—54; ix. 15, 16. He is said to have been honoured with visions and Divine communications in answer to those inquiries. The boasted revelations are described in a lofty and prophetick style, in a manner similar to that adopted by Daniel, Ezekiel, and St. John. They discountenance with becoming dignity the presumptuous curiosity and complaints of man, chap. iv. 5-11; contain very elevated descriptions of God's attributes, chap. vii. 62–70; viii. 20-23, 39; xvi. 54-63; and rest the equity of His proceedings on the projected decisions of a future judgment. They impart consolatory assurances of returning favour, and represent, in an interesting vision, Jerusalem re-established on its foundations, chap. x. 10, 27, &c. The angel likewise, in these pretended visions, reveals many striking prophecies relative to the Messiah, chap. ii. 34-48; the destruction of the Roman empire, chap. xi, xii; and the fate of Egypt; of Babylon, chap. xv, xvi; and of other nations; besides others of very obscure and uncertain interpretation, chap. v. 1-13; vi. 7—28.

This book was never admitted into the Hebrew canon; and there is no sufficient authority to prove that it was ever extant in the Hebrew language. Its pretended prophecies are not produced in evidence by Christian writers, striking as such testimony must have been, if they had been genuine; and the book was never publickly or generally acknowledged either in the Greek or Latin church; nor was it ever inserted in the sacred catalogue, by either councils or fathers; but it is expressly represented as Apocryphal by St. Jerome, who describes it as rejected by the Church.

From many passages occurring in this book, which bear a very manifest resemblance to doctrines, sentiments. and expressions contained in the writings of the New Testament, and from the circumstance of our Saviour being mentioned by name in much clearer terms than in the canonical books of prophecy, (see chap. vii. 28, 29.) there is reason to conclude that the whole, or at least the greater part of it, was written after the promulgation of the Gospel. The work is indeed of too mixed and mysterious à character to authorize any positive determnation. Amidst passages transcribed from the Gospel, it may contain fragments of works written before the time of Christ, and many writers have considered it as a compilation of pieces, of which some at least may have been the genuine production of Ezra. Dr. Gray.

There may be reason to doubt whether this book in its present form was written by any one author. In the two last chapters, there is a considerable difference of style from that of the rest of the book; there is no mention of Ezra in them, and nothing which must be necessarily appropriated to the author of the immediately preceding chapters, but rather the contrary. In some ancient copies, indeed, the two last chapters of this book form a separate book under the title of the fifth book of Esdras. They are written very much in the style and manner of the ancient Hebrew Prophets. Lee.

Apocrypha.

a Ezra 7. 1.

CHAP. I.

СНАР. І.

1 Esdras is commanded to reprove the people. 24 God threateneth to cast them off, 35 and to give their houses to a people of more grace than they.

prophet

Apocrypha.

stroyed before them, and in the east
I have scattered the people of two
provinces, even of Tyrus and Sidon,
and have slain all their enemies.

12 Speak thou therefore unto them,
saying, Thus saith the Lord,

THE second book of the ne, the in the beginning gave you a large

13 I led you through the sea, and e Exod. 14.

a

son of Azarias, the son of Helchias, Or, Shallum. the son of || Sadamias, the son of Sadoc, the son of Achitob,

b Isai. 58. 1.

e Exod. 14. 28.

d Numb. 21. 24. Josh. 8, & 10, & 12.

2 The son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of Abisei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,

3 The son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Persians.

4 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children's children:

6 Because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have offered unto strange gods.

7 Am not I even he that brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and despised my counsels.

8 Pull thou off then the hair of thy head, and cast all evil upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people.

9 How long shall I forbear them, unto whom I have done so much good?

10 Many kings have I destroyed for their sakes; Pharaoh with his servants and all his power have I smitten down.

11 All the nations have I de

Chap. I. ver. 1.- Esdras, the son of Saraias, &c.] The genealogy here given, it should be observed, differs from that given at 1 Esdr. viii. 1, 2; and from that in the canonical book of Ezra, chap. vii. 1, 2: which has induced some to conclude that they do not refer to the same Esdras, or Ezra. Arnald.

11. - I have scattered the people-even of Tyrus and Sidon,] This fact of God's having scattered the people of Tyre and Sidon in favour of His people returning VOL. II.

i

29.

f Exod. 3. 10.

and safe passage; I gave you Or, street. Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a &4.14. priest.

21.

14 I gave you light in a pillar of g Exod. 13. fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord.

h

h Exod. 16.

15 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, The quails were as a token to you; I gave you tents for your safeguard: Psal. 105. 40. nevertheless ye murmured there,

16 And triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.

17 Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,

18 Saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it

had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness.

19 Then had I pity upon your mournings, and gave you manna to eat; so ye did eat angels' bread.

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201 When ye were thirsty, did I 1 Numb. 20. not cleave the rock, and waters flowed wisd. 11. 4. out to your fill? for the heat Ind covered you with the leaves of the trees.

21 I divided among you a fruitful land, I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you:

abundantly.

m what shall I yet do more m Isai. 5. 4. for you? saith the Lord.

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from Egypt, receives no confirmation from any other part of Scripture, and the relation of it here may be thought to impair the authority of this book. Arnald. Or it may be thought that the Canaanites are here meant, who extended as far as Tyre and Sidon. Junius.

22, 23. — in the river of the Amorites, &c.] In these two verses the writer seems to confound different historical facts; for he alludes to the miracle of Moses's sweetening the water, as having occurred at the river

3 D

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24 What shall I do unto thee, O n Exod. 32.8. Jacob? thou, "Juda, wouldest not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto those will I give my name, that they may keep my

o Isai. 1. 15.

Or, as I am your God.

p Matt. 23. 37.

q Isai. 1. 13.

statutes.

25 Seeing ye have forsaken me, I will forsake you also; when ye desire me to be gracious unto you, I shall have no mercy upon you.

26 Whensoever ye shall call upon me, I will not hear you: for ye have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit manslaughter.

27 Ye have not as it were forsaken me, but your own selves, saith the Lord.

28 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,

29 That ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?

30 PI gathered you together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do

my face.

31 4 When ye offer unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feast-days, your new moons, and your circumcisions, have I forsaken.

32 I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require of your hands, saith the Lord.

33 Thus saith the Almighty Lord, Your house is desolate, I will cast you out as the wind doth stubble.

34 And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have despised my commandment, and done the thing that is evil before me.

35 Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet shall believe me; to whom I have showed no

Arnon, Numb. xxi. 16, which was wrought in reality at the waters of Marah, Exod. xv. 25. Calmet.

40.-Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy,] It is observable, that these three Prophets are here mentioned, although the two former did not probably flourish as Prophets till after the return from the captivity, and Malachi not till 100 years after the decree of Cyrus. It may also be remarked, that the Prophets are here enumerated, not

signs, yet they shall do that I have commanded them.

Apocrypha.

36 They have seen no prophets, yet they shall call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.

37 I take to witness the grace of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though they have not seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they believe the thing that I say.

38 And now, brother, behold what glory; and see the people that come from the east:

39 Unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,

40 Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is called also an angel of the r Mal. 3.1. Lord.

CHAP. II.

1 God complaineth of his people: 10 yet Esdras is willed to comfort them. 34 Because they refused, the Gentiles are called. 43 Esdras seeth the Son of God, and those that are crowned by him.

THUS saith the Lord, I brought

this people out of bondage, and I gave them my commandments by my servants the prophets; whom they would not hear, but despised my counsels.

2 The mother that bare them saith unto them, Go your way, ye children; for I am a widow and forsaken.

3 I brought you up with gladness; but with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you for ye have sinned before the Lord your God, and done that thing that is evil before him.

4 But what shall I now do unto you ? I am a widow and forsaken : go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord.

5 As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of these children, which would not keep my covenant,

6 That thou bring them to confusion, and their mother to a spoil,

according to the order of the Hebrew Bibles, but ac cording to that of the Septuagint or Greek version; circumstances which bespeak this second book of Esdras to be of later date than the time of Ezra. Dr. Gray.

which is called also an angel of the Lord.] That Malachi was so called is among the conceits of the Jewish rabbies. Arnald.

Apocrypha.

Or,

sacrament, or, oath.

CHAP. II.

that there may be no offspring of for the fatherless, give to the poor,
defend the orphan, clothe the naked,

them.

7 Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let their names be put out of the earth: for they have despised my || covenant.

8 Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember a Gen. 19. 24. a what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrah;

9 Whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord.

10 Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel.

11 Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.

12 They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.

13 Go, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch.

14 Take heaven and earth to witness; for I have broken the evil in pieces, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord.

15 Mother, embrace thy children, [ Or, bring and bring them up with gladness, giadness, as a make their feet as fast as a pillar: their feet fast: for I have chosen thee, saith the

them up with

dore make

for, &c.

Or, thy name, O Israel.

Lord.

16 And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out of the graves: for I have known my name in Israel.

17 Fear not, thou mother of the children: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.

18 For thy help will I send my servants Esay and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,

19 And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy.

Apocrypha.

21 Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness.

22 Keep the old and young within thy walls.

18.

23 b Wheresoever thou findest the b Tobit 1. 17, dead, take them and bury them, signing bury and I will give thee the first place in them. my resurrection.

24 Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest, for thy quietness shall come.

25 Nourish thy children, O thou good nurse; stablish their feet.

26 As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.

27 Be not weary: for when the day of trouble and heaviness cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.

28 The heathen shall envy thee, but they shall be able to do nothing against thee, saith the Lord.

29 My hands shall cover thee, so that thy children shall not see hell.

30 Be joyful, O thou mother, with thy children; for I will deliver thee, saith the Lord.

31 Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the sides of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.

32 Embrace thy children until I come and shew mercy unto them: || Or, preach. for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail.

33 I Esdras received a charge of the Lord upon the mount Oreb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they set me at nought, and despised the commandment of the Lord.

34 And therefore I say unto you, O ye heathen, that hear and understand, look for your Shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.

35 Be ready to the reward of the kingdom, for the everlasting light 20 Do right to the widow, judge | shall shine upon you for evermore.

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