Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. These were all in the camp, in some part of it, to whom Ezra sent messengers to come unto him; three of them are of the same name; the first nine were men of chief note, rank, and dignity in their family, and the other two were noted for men of good sense, and that could speak to a case well, and so fit to be sent on such an affair as they were.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

Ver. 16. Men of understanding] Of special note for their wisdom and eloquence; such as could present to the people good matter well habited, and could well express their expositions of the law, being themselves wise, and willing to wise others, as the Hebrew word signifieth, Daniel 12:3. Men of understanding, and ready to instruct many, Daniel 11:33. Such a man as this is worth his weight in gold,

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Then sent I for Eliezer to come to me, and go along with me to Jerusalem. Men of understanding; who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God and his house and solemn worship, which was confined to Jerusalem.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

16.Eliezer’ Ariel’ chief men — These were principal men among Ezra’s companions who had already assembled at Ahava, and whom he used as chief assistants. The nine first named are called chief men, probably from being the most distinguished and influential elders among them; the last two are distinguished as men of understanding, being skilled, probably, in the law, as Ezra was, and competent to instruct the people.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

Ezra 8:16. Then sent I for Eliezer, &c. — To come to me, and go along with me to Jerusalem. He sent for these eleven persons, that he might employ them in a message to a place where he knew there were a great many Levites, as it follows in the next verse. Also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding — Who seem to have had more knowledge than pious zeal for God and his house, and solemn worship, which was confined to Jerusalem.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Sent. Septuagint, "&c., "to Eliezer," &c., in order to give them his orders what to say to Eddo, who presided at Chasphia, as the sequel shews. --- Wise men, instructors of the people, (2 Paralipomenon xxxv. 3.; Calmet) Levites. (Menochius)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

for. The Syriac and Vulgate omit the word "for" throughout this verse, and read "then sent I Eliezer", &c, as in Ezra 8:17.

chief men = heads.

men of understanding. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun), App-6= wise and prudent men, especially for teaching.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

Then sent I for Eliezer ...

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Men of understanding.—Teachers, and perhaps priests. These were joined with nine chief men as a deputation to Iddo.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Shemaiah

13; 10:21

Nathan

10:39

Zechariah

chief men

men of understanding

18; 1 Kings 3:11; 1 Chronicles 12:32; 26:14; 2 Chronicles 2:12; Proverbs 2:6; 20:5; 28:2; Daniel 2:21; 2 Timothy 2:7; 1 John 5:20