John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And all they that were about them , etc.] Their neighbours, the Chaldeans: strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things ; which they either did of themselves at their own motion, or by the direction and example of Cyrus, ( Ezra 1:4) and perhaps many of them to ingratiate themselves into the favour of their new monarch: besides all that was willingly offered : by the rich Jews, who thought fit, at least for the present, to remain in Babylon.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-11 - The same God that raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up their spirits to take the benefit. The temptatio was to some to stay in Babylon; but some feared not to return, and the were those whose spirits God raised, by his Spirit and grace. Whateve good we do, is owing to the grace of God. Our spirits naturally bo down to this earth and the things of it; if they move upward in an good affections or good actions, it is God who raises them. The call and offers of the gospel are like the proclamation of Cyrus. Thos bound under the power of sin, may be made free by Jesus Christ Whosoever will, by repentance and faith, return to God, Jesus Chris has opened the way for him, and raises him out of the slavery of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Many that hear thi joyful sound, choose to sit still in Babylon, are in love with their sins, and will not venture upon a holy life; but some break through all discouragements, whatever it cost them; they are those whose spirit God has raised above the world and the flesh, whom he has made willing Thus will the heavenly Canaan be filled, though many perish in Babylon and the gospel offer will not have been made in vain. The bringing bac the Jews from captivity, represents the redemption of sinners by Jesu Christ _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew וכל3605 סביבתיהם5439 חזקו2388 בידיהם3027 בכלי3627 כסף3701 בזהב2091 ברכושׁ7399 ובבהמה929 ובמגדנות4030 לבד905 על5921 כל3605 התנדב׃5068
