(16) Which is in Jerusalem.--The repetition of this and similar phrases is after the manner of the literature of this period; but here, as in some other places, it implies deep reverence.
Verse 16. - All the silver and gold that thou canst find. Rather, "that thou canst obtain" - "all that thou canst get my other subjects to give thee." Compare the proclamation of Cyrus (Ezra 1:4, 6).
7:11-26 The liberality of heathen kings to support the worship of God, reproached the conduct of many kings of Judah, and will rise up in judgment against the covetousness of wealthy professed Christians, who will not promote the cause of God. But the weapons of Christian ministers are not carnal. Faithful preaching, holy lives, fervent prayers, and patient suffering when called to it, are the means to bring men into obedience to Christ.
And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon,.... Not that he might take it wherever he found it, whether the owners of it were willing he should have it or not; but whatever was freely offered by them, as Jarchi, that he was allowed to take, whatever he could get in that way:
with the freewill offering of the people; of the people of the Jews, who thought fit to continue in the province:
and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; those freewill offerings, whether of the natives of Babylon, or of any of the Jewish nation, for the service of the temple at Jerusalem, he had leave and a commission to carry with him.
with the freewill offering of the people; of the people of the Jews, who thought fit to continue in the province:
and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem; those freewill offerings, whether of the natives of Babylon, or of any of the Jewish nation, for the service of the temple at Jerusalem, he had leave and a commission to carry with him.