EZNITE (ez'nite), (Heb. ay'lsen, spear, sharp), he was, according to 2 Sam. xxiii:8, named Adino, prefect of David's bodyguard.
This seems to be another name for Josheb basshebcth, a Hachmonite. In the parallel sen tence ( t Chron. xi :1 t) other not very different Hebrew words occur, translated in the A. V., "lifted tip his spear." Gesenius (Thes. pp. 994, 993) and Kennicott (Dissertation 1, pp. 71-128) maintain that the translation of the Chronicles is correct.
Luther expresses the following opinion: "We believe the text to have been corrupted by a writer, probably from some book in an unknown char acter and bad writing, so that orer should be sub stituted for adino, and ha-cznib for Oh haniiho:" that is to say, the reading in the Chronicles (t Chron. xi :1 t), "he swung his spear," should be adopted (K. and D., Cora. ). The phrase in 2 Sam. xxiii :8, "that sat in the seat," is taken by Gesenius to be the name of this warrior, as given above, Josheb-bashshebeth ; a name to be found in the R. V. at this place with the difference of an s for sh. The Douay Version gives "Jeshabam sitting in the chair was like the most tender little worm of the wood who killed Boo men at one onset." The name Adino is omitted. although it is in the LXX. Jashoheam is in 1 Chron. x1:11, A. V., as the name.
EZRA (eera), (I leb. help; Sept.
es'ilras). The form of the name is Chaldaic or Aramaic.
1. One of the priests who returned with Zeta babel front Balsylon xii:O. In Neh. x :2-8 the name is written Az.m.(it.
2. A descendant of Judah, the father of eral sons. Ills own parentage is not given (i Chron. iv :17).
3. The celebrated Etra was a Jewish scribe and priest. who, about the year B. C. 458, led the second expedition of Jews back from the Babylonian exile into Palestine. This Ezra ought to be distinguished from the Ezra who went up as one of the chiefs of the priests and Levites under Zerubbabel xii :1, t3, 33).
I. Family. Ezra was a lineal descendant from Phinehas, the son of Aaron. Ile is stated in Scripture to be the son of Seraiah, the con of Azariah, which Seraiah was slain at Riblah by order of Nebuchadnezzar, having been brought thither a captive by Nebuzaradan. But as 130 years elapsed between the death of Seraiah and the departure of Ezra from Babylon, and we read that a grandson of Seraiah was the high who accompanied Zerubbabel on the first return to Jerusalem, seventy years before Ezra returned thither, we may suppose that by the term son here, as in some other places, the relationship of grandson, or of a still more remote direct de scendant, is intended. In addition to the informa tion given in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, that Ezra was a 'ready scribe of the law of Moses,' 'a scribe of the words of the Commandments of the Lord and of his statutes to Israel,' a scribe of the law of the God of Heaven,' and 'a priest.' We are told by Josephus that he was high priest of the Jews who were left in Babylon; that he was particularly conversant with the laws of Moses, and was held in universal esteem on ac count of his righteousness and virtue.
The rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem, which had been decreed by Cyrus in the year B. C. 536, was, after much powerful and vexa tious opposition, completed in the reign and by the permission of Darius Hystaspis, in the year B. C. 515.
2. History. (1) Appointed Leader. In the year B. C. 457 Ezra was sent by 'Artaxerxes Longimanus and his counsellors to inquire con cerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of his God, which was in his hand, and to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counsellors freely offered unto the God of Israel.' Permission was also granted to him to take with him all the silver and the gold which he could find in all the province of Babylon, together with the free-will offerings which the people and priests offered for the house of God at Jerusalem. Of this treasure he was directed to employ as much as was requisite in the purchase of offerings according to the law of Moses. and the surplus he was to lay out according to his discretion for the maintenance of the externals of religion. Ezra was also charged to convey vessels for the house of God in Jerusalem, and, lest these gifts should be insufficient, he was empowered to take from the king's treasure-house as much as should be wanted to supply everything needful for the house of the Lord. At the same time that this commission was given to Ezra, Artaxerxes I.ongi manus issued a decree to the keepers of the king's treasure beyond the river, to assist Ezra in every thing in which he needed help, and to supply him liberally with money, corn, wine, oil and salt. It was further enacted that it should not be lawful to impose tribute upon any priest, Levite or °ther person concerned in ministration in the house of God. Ezra was commissioned to appoint 'accord ing to the wisdom of God which was in his hand,' magistrates and judges to judge all the people beyond the river that knew the laws of his God; and was enjoined to teach them to those who knew them not. The reason of the interest for the worship of God at this time evinced by Arta xerxes, appears to have been a fear of the Divine displeasure, for we read in the conclusion of the decree to the treasurers beyond the river, 'What soever is commanded by the God of Heaven let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?' We are also told (Ezra vii:6) that the king granted Ezra all his request, and Josephus informs us that Ezra, being desirous of going to Jerusalem, requested the king to grant him recommendatory letters to the governor of Syria. We may there fore suppose that the dread which Axtaxerxes entertained of the Divine judgment, was the con sequence of the exposition to him by Ezra of the history of the Jewish people.