Ezra 4:1-23
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.]
Psalms 120:1
song ... ascents <07892 04609> [(Title.) A Song of degrees.]
Bp. Patrick and others suppose this Psalm to have been composed by David, when the calumnies of Doeg and others forced him to flee his country.
distress <06869> [my distress.]
Psalms 121:1
song <07892> [(Title.) A Song.]
<05375> [I will, etc. or, Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills? whence should my help come?]
<05375> [lift up.]
Psalms 122:1
song ... ascents <07892 04609> [(Title.) A Song of degrees.]
glad <08055> [was glad.]
<03212> [Let us go.]
Psalms 123:1
song ... ascents <07892 04609> [A.M. cir. 3463. B.C. cir. 541. (Title.) A Song of degrees.]
This Psalm is probably a complaint of the captives in Babylon, relative to the contempt and cruel usage they received.
<05375> [lift I.]
enthroned in <03427> [O thou.]
Psalms 124:1
song <07892> [(Title.) A Song.]
It is uncertain what the particular deliverance was which is celebrated in this Psalm. Some refer it to the deliverance of Hezekiah from Sennacherib; and others to the return from the Babylonian captivity; while Dr. A. Clarke refers it to that of the Jews from the massacre intended by Haman.
Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
Israel <03478> [now may.]
Psalms 125:1
song <07892> [A.M. 3468. B.C. 536. (Title.) A Song.]
trust <0982> [that trust.]
Mount <02022> [be as mount.]
Those who ................. forever <03427> [but abideth.]
Psalms 126:1
song ... ascents <07892 04609> [(Title.) A Song of degrees.]
This Psalm evidently appears to have been composed in consequence of the proclamation of Cyrus in favour of the Jews, giving them leave to return to their own land, and rebuild their city and temple.
<07725> [turned again, etc. Heb. returned the returning of Zion.]
dreaming <02492> [we were like.]
Psalms 127:1
song <07892> [(Title.) A Song.]
Solomon <08010> [for Solomon. or, of Solomon.]
Lord ................. Lord <03068> [The Lord.]
build ....... build <01129> [build.]
work <05998> [they labour.]
Lord .... build ....... build ........ Lord <01129 03068> [that build it. Heb. that are builders of it in it. except.]
guard ...... watchman <08104> [the watchman.]
Psalms 128:1
song ... ascents <07892 04609> [(Title.) A Song of degrees.]
loyal followers <03373> [every one.]
keeps <01980> [walketh.]
