Ezra 6:4

a row of new timber R.V. marg. -According to the Sept. one row of timber." It has been much disputed what -the three rows of great stones and the row of timber" can mean. (1) Some explain by three storeysof stones surmounted by one of wood, the elevation of the Temple. (2) Others by -three layersof stone followed by one of wood", the material of the walls. (3) Others by -three coursesof stone backed by a wainscote of wood", the thickness of the walls. (4) But in all probability the verse should be explained by reference to 1 Kings 6:36, where -three rows of hewn stone and a row of cedar beams" are the construction of the walls of the inner court.

expences R.V. expenses.

out of the king's house i.e. from the royal revenue. To be defrayed probably from the purse of the -Abhar Nahara" satrapy. This payment had obviously ceased, or its existence would have been known to Tattenai and the other officials. During the disturbances which took place at the close of Cyrus's reign, the officers of the provincial treasury probably found it convenient to stop this annual contribution. The voluntary subscriptions mentioned in Ezra 2:68-69 would therefore have been rendered necessary. Some have suspected that this part of the decree was never really carried out.