CHAPTER VI _Darius orders search to be made for the edict of Cyrus_, 1. _It is found at Achmetha_, 2. _A transcript of this edict_, 3-5. _Darius confirms it_, 6-12. _Tatnai encourages the Jews to proceed; and they finish the_ _temple in the sixth year of Darius_, 13-15. _They dedicate the tem... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:2. _AT ACHMETHA_] Ecbatana in India, whither it is probable all the records of Cyrus had been carried. This was a sort of summer residence for the kings of Persia.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:3. _THE HEIGHT THEREOF THREESCORE CUBITS_] This was much larger than the temple of Solomon. This was _sixty cubits high_, and _sixty cubits broad_; whereas Solomon's was only _twenty cubits_ broad, and _thirty cubits_ high.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:4. _THREE ROWS OF GREAT STONES, AND A ROW OF NEW TIMBER_] We have noticed this kind of building before, three courses of stones, and then a course of strong balk; and this continued to the square of the building. _AND LET THE EXPENSES BE GIVEN_] Cyrus had ordered _wood_ to be cut at Li... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:6. _BE YE FAR FROM THENCE_] Do not interrupt the Jews in their building; but, on the contrary further them all in your power.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:10. _AND PRAY FOR THE LIFE OF THE KING, AND OF HIS SONS._] Even heathens believed that offerings made in their behalf to the God of the Jews would be available. And this principle has had considerable influence in certain states where there was even a form of religion established by the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _LET TIMBER BE PULLED DOWN_] Whether this refers to the punishment of hanging and gibbeting of whipping at a post, or of empaling, is not quite clear. In China they tie culprits to posts; and the executioner cuts them open while alive, takes out their bowels, c. Empaling thrusting a sharp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL_] He first gave the order, and stirred up the hearts of the following Persian kings to second that order. _OF CYRUS_] This sovereign gave his orders for the rebuilding of the temple about A.M. 3468. _AND DARIUS_] Darius Hystaspes confirm... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THIS HOUSE WAS FINISHED_] The sixth year of Darius mentioned here was about A.M. 3489, twenty years after the foundation had been laid by Zerubbabel, under the reign of Cyrus.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _TWELVE HE-GOATS_] This was a sin-offering for every tribe.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _AND THEY SET THE PRIESTS_] With this verse the Chaldee or Aramitic part of this chapter ends.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _THE LEVITES WERE PURIFIED TOGETHER_] They were all ready at one time to observe the proper rites and ceremonies, and had no need of having a second passover, which was appointed by the law for those who had been accidentally defiled, or were at a distance from the tabernacle. See 2 Chroni... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _AND ALL SUCH AS HAD SEPARATED THEMSELVES_] These were the _proselytes_ who had embraced the Jewish religion by having mingled with the Jews in their captivity. This proves that there the poor captives had so acted according to the principles of their religion, that the heathens saw it, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 6:22. _TURNED THE HEART OF THE KING OF ASSYRIA_] I am of Calmet's mind, that _king of Assyria_ is here put for _king of_ _Persia_. Cyrus and his successors possessed all the rights and estates of the ancient kings of Assyria, and therefore the same monarch may be styled king of Assyria as... [ Continue Reading ]