John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO Ezra 8 In this chapter we are told who and how many went up with Ezra to Jerusalem, Ezra 8:1, the gathering of them together at a river, from whence he sent to Babylon for Levites to come to him, who did, Ezra 8:15, the proclaiming a fast for a safe and prosperous journey, Ezra 8:21, the delivery of the vessels and money given him into the hands of priests, to take the care and...
John Gill
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava,.... After the messengers to Iddo were returned with those they brought with them: that we might afflict ourselves before our God; humble themselves before him for their sins, confess them, and declare their repentance of them, and ask forgiveness for them: to seek of him a right way for us; to take from thence towards Jerusalem, to be directed...
Matthew Henry
This chapter gives us a more particular narrative of Ezra's journey to Jerusalem, of which we had a general account in the foregoing chapter I. The company that went up with him, ver. 1-20. II. The solemn fast which he kept with his company, to implore God's presence with them in this journey, ver. 21-23. III. The care he took of the treasure he had with him, and the charge he gave concerning it...