Ezra 4
1 The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, endeavour to hinder it.
7 Their letter to Artaxerxes.
17 The answer and decree of Artaxerxes.
23 The building is hindered.
enemies <06862> [the adversaries.]
These were the Samaritans, the descendants of the various nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants captive.
exiles <01473 01121> [children of the captivity. Heb. sons of the transportation.]
Zerubbabel <02216> [Zerubbabel.]
build <01129> [Let us.]
sacrificing <02076> [we do.]
Esarhaddon <0634> [Esarhaddon.]
[Asnappar.]
Assyria <0804> [Assur.]
[Assyria.]
[Asshur.]
build ......... build <01129> [Ye have nothing.]
King Cyrus ... king <03566 04428> [king Cyrus.]
discourage <07503> [weakened.]
<0926> [troubled.]
hiring <07936> [hired.]
Darius <01867> [Darius.]
Ahasuerus <0325> [A.M. 3475. B.C. 529. Ahasuerus. Heb. Ahashverosh.]
This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, A.M. 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.
filed <03789> [wrote.]
Artaxerxes .............. Artaxerxes <0783> [A.M. 3482. B.C. 522. Artaxerxes.]
This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi, who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses, for seven months, feigning himself to be Smerdis, brother of Cambyses: he is called Oropoestus by Justin, Smerdis by Herodotus, Mardus by AEschylus, and Sphendatates by Ctesias.
Bishlam <01312> [Bishlam. or, in peace. companions. Heb. societies.]
Aramaic ..... Aramaic <0762> [the Syrian tongue.]
That is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the 8th verse of this chapter, to ch. 7:27, the original is not Hebrew, but Chaldee, in those parts which consist of letters, decrees, etc., originally written in that language.
scribe <05613> [scribe. or, secretary.]
colleagues <03675> [companions. Chal. societies. the Dinaites.]
rulers <0671> [Apharsathchites.]
[Apharsachites. Susanchites.]
Elamites <05962> [Elamites.]
rest ................... other places <07606> [And the rest.]
noble Ashurbanipal <0620 03358> [noble Asnappar.]
<03706> [at such a time. Chal. Cheeneth.]
rebellious <04779> [rebellious.]
odious city <07149 0873> [bad city.]
<03635> [set up. or, finished.]
repairing <02338> [joined. Chal. sewed together.]
if this city <01791 07149 02006> [if this city.]
paid <05415> [pay. Chal. give. toll.]
treasury <0674> [revenue. or, strength.]
that ..................... sustain <04415 01768> [have maintenance, etc. Chal. are salted with the salt of the palace.]
Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life, (Ecclus. 39:26 or 31;) hence, by a very natural figure, salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed, says Mr. Parkhurst, that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies, "I eat such a one's salt," meaning, I am fed by him. Salt was also, as it still is, among eastern nations, a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence, to eat a man's salt, is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.
not <03809> [and it was.]
this city ........................ this city <07149 01791> [this city.]
producing <05648> [moved. Chal. made. within the same. Chal. in the midst thereof. for which.]
will <0383> [thou shalt have.]
colleagues <03675> [companions. Chal. societies.]
Greetings <08001> [Peace.]
<03706> [at such a time.]
[I commanded. Chal. by me a decree is set. search.]
determined <07912> [and it is found.]
engaging in insurrection <05376> [made insurrection. Chal. lifted up itself.]
Powerful <08624> [mighty king.]
Trans-Euphrates <05675> [beyond.]
tribute <04061> [toll.]
Now give ...................... instruct <07761 03705> [Give ye, etc. Chal. Make a decree.]
Why ... danger <04101 02257> [why should.]
Rehum <07348> [Rehum.]
proceeded <0236> [they went up.]
with threat <0153> [force. Chal. arm.]
remained <01934> [So.]
Darius <01868> [Darius.]
This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis: he ascended the throne of Persia, A.M. 3483, B.C. 521, and reigned 36 years.
