Ezra 8:36

the king's commissions i.e. especially those mentioned in Ezra 7:21-22; Ezra 7:24 which would concern the provincial administration, by requisitioning for supplies and by exemption from taxation.

The word rendered "commissions" occurs elsewhere in the O.T. only in the Aramaic sections, e.g. = -law" Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:14; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:25-26; Daniel 2:9; Daniel 6:5; Daniel 6:8; Daniel 6:12; "decree" Daniel 2:13; Daniel 2:15.

the king's lieutenants R.V. the king's satraps. A Persian word found in Esther 3:12; Esther 8:9; Esther 9:3, and in Daniel 3:2-3; Daniel 3:27; Daniel 6:2-4; Daniel 6:7-8. In Hebrew it is transliterated as "akhashdarpan".

In the Persian inscriptions -khshatrapava" occurs frequently as "governor of a district". It is probably the same as our satrap, which is derived from the Greek (σατράπης).

The LXX. rendering (διοικηταῖς) reminds us of the original extensive area implied by the word -diocese".

andto the governors The -governor" or -pekhah", cf. Tatnai Ezra 5:3-4 and Zerubbabel Ezra 6:7; Haggai 1:1 &c. (LXX. ἐπάρχοις).

The -satrap" was governor of a province; the -pekhah" administered the affairs of a petty kingdom or a small district.

onthis side the river R.V. beyond the river. See note on Ezra 4:10.

and they furthered the people&c. The word "furthered" is the same in Hebr. as that rendered "help" in Ezra 1:4; it conveniently reproduces the -zeugma" of the Hebrew construction, by which the same verb is used of assistance to the people and of decoration for the Temple.

The LXX. ἐδόξασαν, Vulg. elevaverunt, give common but here in appropriate renderings.

The royal decree turned the scale in favour of the Jews. Officials now aided them. Foreign countries ceased to be neutral.