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
So we fasted, and besought our God for this,.... Sought the Lord by fasting and prayer for a good journey, and preservation in it: and he was entreated of us; accepted their prayer, as Jarchi, so that they came safe to Jerusalem.
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...