Ezra 4:1--5:17
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.]
