Ezra 3:1--6:22
seventh <07637> [the seventh.]
<0259> [as one.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
[Joshua the son of Josedech. Zerubbabel.]
[Zorobabel, Salathiel. as it is written.]
Bp. Patrick observes, that before the temple was built, there seems to have been a tabernacle pitched for Divine service, as was in David's time, not on mount Moriah, but mount Sion, to be used while the temple was building. Let us learn hence to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not immediately have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Wherever a Christian goes, if he carry not with him the sacrifices of prayer and praise, he is wanting in his duty; for he has an altar ever ready that sanctifies both the gift and the giver.
altar <04196> [the altar.]
terror <0367> [for fear.]
burnt offerings ............. offerings <05930> [even burnt.]
Festival <02282> [the feast.]
day <03117> [the daily.]
daily .......... day <01697 03117> [as the duty of every day required. Heb. the matter of the day in his day.]
continual <08548> [the continual.]
voluntarily offered <05068> [willingly.]
temple ....... established <01964 03068 03245> [the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.]
Heb. the temple of the Lord was not yet founded.
provided money <03701 05414> [gave money.]
carpenters <02796> [carpenters. or, workmen. meat.]
Joppa <03305> [Joppa]
Joppa, now Jaffa or Yaffa, one of the most ancient sea-ports in the world, is situated in a fine plain on the shore of the Mediterranean, between Jamnia south and Caesarea of Palestine north, 150 stadia from Antipatris, according to Josephus, 30 miles south of Caesarea, 12 miles north of Ashdod, 9 miles west of Ramla, and 40 miles west of Jerusalem, according to modern authorities; and in lat. 32 degrees 50' long. 65 degrees 40' according to Ptolemy. It is still a considerable town, containing about 4,000 or 5,000 souls, and occupying a circular eminence close to the seaside, with a citadel on the summit; the bottom of the hill being surrounded by a wall 12 or 14 feet high, and two or three feet thick. The environs are occupied by extensive gardens.
in accord with the edict <07558> [according.]
Zerubbabel <02216> [Zerubbabel.]
year ................... son ....... son ................................. Levites ...... twenty years <08141 01121 06242> [twenty years old.]
Jeshua <03442> [Jeshua.]
Not Jeshua the high-priest, before mentioned, but another Jeshua, a Levite, mentioned in the parallel passage.
Yehudah <03063> [Judah]
Hodaviah, [H“wdavyƒh <\\See definition 01938\\>,] is called Hodevah, [H“wdevƒh <\\See definition 01937\\>,] by the elision of [Y“wd,] {yood,} and was probably named Judah, from the word having the same signification.
[Hodaviah.]
[Hodevah.]
<0259> [together. Heb. as one.]
builders <01129> [when the builders.]
<05975> [they set.]
clarions <02689> [trumpets.]
sons ... Asaph <01121 0623> [the sons of Asaph.]
by <03027> [after the ordinance.]
sang <06030> [they sang.]
good ............................ established <02896 03245> [because.]
shout <07321> [shouted.]
good ............................ established <02896 03245> [because.]
Many ............................... many <07227> [many.]
established <03245> [when the foundation.]
weeping <01058> [wept.]
People ................... people's ..... people <05971> [So that.]
This sight must have been very affecting; a whole people, one part weeping aloud with sorrow, the other shouting aloud for joy; and on the same occasion too, in which both sides felt an equal interest. The prophet Haggai (ch 2:1-9) comforted them on this occasion, by assuring them that the glory of this latter house should exceed that of the former, because the Lord would come to this temple, and fill it with His glory.
sound ....... sound ............... sound <06963> [the noise.]
shouting <07321> [shouted.]
sound ....... sound ............... sound <06963> [and the noise.]
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.
Haggai <02292> [A.M. 3484. B.C. 520. Haggai.]
These are the same Haggai and Zechariah, whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets; and, as a great part of them refer to the events here recorded, the reader will find it very profitable to compare them with the history.
Zechariah <02148> [Zechariah.]
son ... Iddo <01247 05714> [the son of Iddo.]
That is, "the grandson of Iddo;" for Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.
name <08036> [in the name.]
<06966> [rose up.]
Jeshua <03443> [Jeshua.]
[Joshua, Josedech. the prophets.]
Tattenai <08674> [Tatnai.]
Tatnai was governor of the provinces which belonged to the Persian empire west of the Euphrates, comprehending Syria, Arabia Deserta, Phoenicia, and Samaria. He seems to have been a mild and judicious man, and to have acted with great prudence and caution, and without any passion or prejudice.
Who gave <04479 07761> [Who hath commanded you.]
What are <04479 0581> [What are.]
building this edifice <01836 01147 01124> [make this building. Chal. build this building.]
watching <05870> [But the eye.]
not <03809> [that they.]
and ...... sent back <0116 08421> [then they returned.]
copy <06573> [A.M. 3485. B.C. 519. copy.]
officials <0671> [Apharsachites.]
[Apharsathchites.]
as follows <01459> [wherein. Chal. in the midst whereof. all peace.]
province <04083> [the province.]
great God <0426 07229> [the great God.]
large stones <069 01560> [great stones. Chal. stones of rolling.]
Who gave <04479 07761> [Who commanded.]
inquired <07593> [asked.]
great <07229> [which a great.]
But after <03861 04481> [A.M. 3408. B.C. 536. But after.]
delivered <03052> [he gave.]
hands <03028> [into the hand.]
vessels <03984> [the vessels.]
King <04430> [the king.]
Sheshbazzar <08340> [Sheshbazzar.]
appointed <07761> [whom.]
governor <06347> [governor. or, deputy.]
house <01005> [let the house.]
Sheshbazzar <08340> [Sheshbazzar.]
laid <03052> [laid.]
not ... finished <08000 03809> [A.M. 3468-3485. B.C. 536-519. it is not finished.]
search be conducted <01240> [A.M. 3485. B.C. 519. let there be.]
orders <02942> [a decree.]
searched <01240> [and search.]
archives <05609> [rolls. Chal. books.]
deposited <05182> [laid up. Chal. made to descend.]
Ecbatana <0307> [at Achmetha. or, at Ecbatana, or, in a coffer.]
[achmta <\\See definition 0712\\>,] probably from the Persian [chm,] {kham,} "a house for a summer residence," with a prefix, [a,] {aleph,} and the Chaldee termination [ta,] {tha,} most likely denotes Ecbatana, as the Vulgate and Josephus read, the summer residence of the Persian monarchs. It was situated in a mountainous region at the foot of mount Orontes, or Jasonius, according to Ammianus, on the southern confines of Media and Persia, and according to Pliny, 750 miles from Seleucia the Great, 20 miles from the Caspian passes, 450 miles from Susa, and the same from Gaz‘ Atropatene, and in lat. 37 degrees 45 min., long. 88 degrees, according to Ptolemy. The building of the city is ascribed to Semiramis by Diodorus, but to Deioces by Eusebius, (in Chron. 1.1,) and Herodotus, who states that it was surrounded by seven walls, strong and ample, built in circles one within another, rising each above each by the height of their respective battlements; each being distinguished by a different colour, the first white, the second black, the third purple, the fourth blue, the fifth orange, the sixth plated with silver, and the seventh with gold. The largest of these was nearly the extent of Athens, i.e., 200 furlongs, according to Dion Chrysostom; but Diodorus Siculus states the circumference of Ecbatana to be 250 furlongs. Within the inner circle stood the king's palace and the royal treasury, so much celebrated for its splendour and riches by Polybius. It is highly probable, as D'Anville and Major Rennel suppose, that the present Hamadan, whose ruins attest its former splendour, occupies the site of Ecbatana. It is situated in Al Gebal, at the foot of the lofty mountain Alwend, about 80 leagues from Ispahan, and also from Bagdad.
first year <08140 02298> [the first year.]
place <0870> [the place.]
height <07314> [the height.]
three layers ....... layer <05073 08532> [three rows.]
expense <05313> [the expenses.]
gold <01722> [the golden.]
Nebuchadnezzar <05020> [which Nebuchadnezzar.]
carried to ...... brought <02987 01946> [brought. Chal. go.]
Tattenai <08674> [Tatnai.]
colleagues <03675> [your companions. Chal. their societies.]
stay far <01934 07352> [be ye far.]
work on <05673> [Let the work.]
I ... hereby issue orders <07761 02942 04481> [I make a decree. Chal. by me a decree is made. the king's.]
interruption of the work <0989> [hindered. Chal. made to cease.]
oxen <08450 01123> [young bullocks.]
lambs <0563> [lambs.]
wheat <02591> [wheat.]
salt <04416> [salt.]
be given <01934 03052> [let it be given.]
incense <05208> [sweet savours. Chal. rest.]
praying <06739> [pray.]
anyone <03606> [whosoever.]
beam <0636> [timber.]
impaled <04223> [hanged. Chal. destroyed. his house.]
name <08036> [caused.]
overthrow ................ destroy <04049 02255> [destroy.]
I Darius <0576 01868> [I Darius.]
precision <0629> [speed.]
Tattenai <08674> [Tatnai.]
acted <03660 05648> [so they did.]
elders <07868> [And the elders.]
prophesying <05017> [through.]
brought ... to completion by <03635 04481> [finished it.]
by ............ command <04481 02942> [according.]
command .......... command <02941 02942> [commandment. Chal. decree. Cyrus.]
Artaxerxes <0783> [Artaxerxes.]
This was Artaxerxes, the third son and successor of Xerxes, surnamed [Makrocheir,] or Longimanus, or in Persian, {Ardsheer deeraz dest,} "Ardsheer the long-handed;" so called, according to the Greeks, from the extra-ordinary length of his hands, but according to the Easterners, from the extent of his dominions. He ascended the Persian throne, A.M. 3540, B.C. 464, and reigned forty-one years. He is said to have been the most handsome person of his age, and to have been a prince of a very mild and generous disposition.
Adar <0144> [A.M. 3489. B.C. 515. Adar.]
people ............. exiles <01123> [the children.]
[children of the captivity. Chal. sons of the transportation.]
dedication <02597> [the dedication.]
joy <02305> [with joy.]
Having set up the worship of God in this dedication, they took care to keep it up, and made the book of Moses their rule, to which they had an eye in this establishment. Though the temple service could not now be performed with so much pomp and plenty as formerly, because of their poverty, yet no doubt it was performed with as much purity and close adherence to the Divine institutions as ever. No beauty is like the beauty of holiness.
offered <07127> [offered.]
sin <02402> [a sin offering.]
number <04510> [according to.]
Though the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, with the priests and Levites, formed the bulk of the people, yet many from the other tribes had returned with them from captivity.
priests <03549> [the priests.]
in accord with <03792> [as it is written. Chal. according to the writing.]
<01121> [the children.]
observed <06213> [kept.]
purified ..... one <0259 02891> [purified together.]
sacrificed <07819> [killed.]
separating <0914> [all such.]
ate <0398> [did eat.]
Feast <02282> [the feast.]
changed <05437> [turned.]
king <04428> [the king.]
Darius, as reigning over the country of Assyria, is here called "the king of Assyria."
