THEN THE PROPHETS] The hostility of their neighbours (Ezra 4:4), coupled with disastrous seasons (Haggai 1:10; Haggai 2:17), had so discouraged the people that they said 'The time is not come for the Lord's house to be built' (Haggai 1:2). Out of this despondency they were roused by two prophets, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE RECOMMENCED This chapter gives an account of a renewed attempt to rebuild the Temple, and recites a letter from the Persian officials in Judæa to the Persian court to enquire whether the Jews had leave to proceed with the work.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGAN TO BUILD] It had really been begun sixteen years before (Ezra 3:8.), but the work having been suspended, it had to be recommenced.... [ Continue Reading ]
TATNAI] perhaps the satrap of all the Persian possessions W. of the Euphrates (the 'river').... [ Continue Reading ]
SAID WE] better, with the LXX, 'said they.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY COULD NOT CAUSE THEM TO CEASE] Tatnai could not venture to arrest a work which was alleged to have the sanction of Cyrus (Ezra 5:13), though he cautiously sent to Persia to have the statement verified. TILL THE MATTER CAME, etc.] RV 'till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should... [ Continue Reading ]
CYRUS THE KING OF BABYLON] The king of Persia included Babylon within his dominions: cp. Nehemiah 13:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHESHBAZZAR] i.e. Zerubbabel: see on Nehemiah 1:8.... [ Continue Reading ]