Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that [were] in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, [even] unto them. Ver. 1. _Then the prophets_] He that is now called a prophet was previously called a seer, 1 Samuel 9:9, because his... [ Continue Reading ]
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem: and with them [were] the prophets of God helping them. Ver. 2. _Then rose up Zerubbabel_] Called before Sheshbazzar, the Tirshata. Philo calleth him Barachias. M... [ Continue Reading ]
_At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?_ Ver. 3. _At the same time_] So soon as ever they began but to build God's house they meet... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? Ver. 4. _Then said we unto them_] We (Tatnai, Shetherboznai, and their companions) thus said, and thus inquired; see Ezra 5:16, and be sensible how wicked men conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity... [ Continue Reading ]
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter]. Ver. 5. _But the eye of their God was upon the elders_] Not the eye of his general providence only (wh... [ Continue Reading ]
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which [were] on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: Ver. 6. _The Apharsachites_] That is, Persians, sent as deputies by the king of Persia, to see the peace kept... [ Continue Reading ]
They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. Ver. 7. _All peace_] _See Trapp on "_ Ezr 4:17 _"_ Peace is a complexive mercy - _Pacem te poscimus omnes._ It is well with bees when they make a noise in their hive; but with men when they are at quiet in their... [ Continue Reading ]
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands. Ver. 8. _To the house of the great God_] So they style him, because the... [ Continue Reading ]
Then asked we those elders, [and] said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? Ver. 9. _Who commanded you?_] Chaldee, Who hath made you a decree? _See Trapp on "_ Ezr 5:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that [were] the chief of them. Ver. 10. _We asked their names also_] See Ezra 5:4 . _ That were the chief of them_] For the rude multitude follow as they are led. And as in a beast, the whole body goeth after the... [ Continue Reading ]
And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. Ver. 11. _We are the servants of the God of heaven_] And in that respect, higher than all the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. Ver. 12. _But after that our fathers had provoked_] Sin is the breeder of dissent... [ Continue Reading ]
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon [the same] king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God. Ver. 13. _But in the first year of Cyrus_] _See Trapp on "_ Ezr 1:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that [was] in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto [one], whose name [was] Sheshbazzar,... [ Continue Reading ]
And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that [is] in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place. Ver. 15. _Take these vessels, go, carry them_] Go thyself in person, and see that all things be well carried there. This pleased Zerubbabel well; it confin... [ Continue Reading ]
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, [and] laid the foundation of the house of God which [is] in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and [yet] it is not finished. Ver. 16. _Then came the same Sheshbazzar_] All this is truly and fairly related (as was likewise that of... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore, if [it seem] good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which [is] there at Babylon, whether it be [so], that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Ve... [ Continue Reading ]