Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 8:36
And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
36. the king’s commissions ] i.e. especially those mentioned in Ezr 7:21-22; Ezr 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’ Ezr 7:12; Ezr 7:14; Ezr 7:21; Ezr 7:25-26; Dan 2:9; Dan 6:5; Dan 6:8; Dan 6:12; “decree” Dan 2:13; Dan 2:15.
the king’s lieutenants ] R.V. the king’s satraps. A Persian word found in Est 3:12; Est 8:9; Est 9:3, and in Dan 3:2-3; Dan 3:27; Dan 6:2-4; Dan 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 ( ).
The LXX. rendering ( ) reminds us of the original extensive area implied by the word ‘diocese’.
and to the governors ] The ‘governor’ or ‘pekhah’, cf. Tatnai Ezr 5:3-4 and Zerubbabel Ezr 6:7; Hag 1:1 &c. (LXX. ).
The ‘satrap’ was governor of a province; the ‘pekhah’ administered the affairs of a petty kingdom or a small district.
on this side the river ] R.V. beyond the river. See note on Ezr 4:10.
and they furthered the people &c.] The word “furthered” is the same in Hebr. as that rendered “help” in Ezr 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. , 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.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The kings commissions – i. e., the orders issued to all governors of provinces near Judaea by Artaxerxes, given in Ezr 7:21-24.
The kings lieutenants – literally, the kings satraps. The word is used in its strict sense, referring to the chief rulers of Persian provinces, from which the governors or rulers of smaller districts are distinguished.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 36. The king’s lieutenants] achashdarpeney: this is generally understood to mean lieutenant or deputy, and is probably of Persian origin, though here greatly corrupted. The Vulgate renders it regis satrapis, to the satraps of the king, which is the Persian [Persian] satrab. A viceroy in Persian is [Persian] soubah-dar; viceroys, [Persian] soubahdaran. [Persian] darafreen signifies a person in whom one has confidence; and [Persian] achi is an epithet of a vizir. These two words conjoined will make nearly that of the text. But I do not give any of these etymologies with confidence. Other words might be proposed as candidates, but where there is so little certainty, conjecture is useless. Were it necessary a dissertation might be written on the Persian words, and Persian forms of speech, in this and the two following books; but probably after my toil few of my readers would thank me for my pains.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In the adorning and furnishing of it with these vessels and other conveniences; and in promoting Gods worship and service therein.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river,…. The governors of the provinces of Syria, Palestine, and Judea, which were on that side of Euphrates the land of Israel was:
and they furthered the people, and the house of God; or “lifted them up” i, eased them of all burdens, and freed them from all impediments, and assisted them and furnished them with everything, as the decree of Artaxerxes enjoined them; and provided everything as they required for ornamenting the temple, and for the sacrifices of it; all which is to be understood of the king’s lieutenants and governors, who obeyed his commands.
i “elevaverunt”, V. L. Piscator; “exaltaverunt”, Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; “sublevarunt”, Junius & Tremellius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(36) And they delivered the kings commissions.First came sacrifices of burnt offering to God (Ezr. 8:35); then, having rendered to God the things which were Gods, they render to Csar the things of Csar. They delivered the kings commission, or firman, to the lieutenants or satraps in military authority, and to the governors, or pechahs, or pashas, in civil authority under them. The firman was of course accepted and acted upon: they furthered the people.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
36. Lieutenants Hebrew, achash-darpenim; satraps. “The genuine form of this name, which has lately been found in the inscriptions of ancient India, is ksatrapa, that is, warrior of the host.” Gesenius. In the Behistun inscription it is written khshatrapava. These were among the highest officers of the Persian government, and in their several provinces were representatives of the king. Governors, like Tatnai, (see note on Ezr 5:3,) were rulers and superintendents of smaller districts under the satraps.
They furthered the people Literally, lifted them, or as we say, gave them a lift. They not only gave them no opposition, but even showed them favour, and helped them in their work.
And the house of God This had been finished and dedicated, (Ezr 8:15-17,) but doubtless needed still much in the way of beautifying and adorning.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 8:36
‘And they delivered the king’s commissions to the king’s satraps, and to the governors of Beyond the River, and they furthered the people and the house of God.’
The community leaders (they), then ensured the delivering of the king’s commissions, as contained in his decrees, to the Persian authorities, that is to the king’s satraps and to the governors of the administrative districts in Beyond the River. The plural satraps may suggest that there was at this time a satrap over Beyond the River as well as an overall satrap over the satrapy of Babylon (which initially at least included the province of Beyond the River), and that both made themselves available in order to receive the king’s commissions, possibly having been advised about them beforehand by the king. In view of the importance of a decree from the king both may well have seen it as necessary to be present at the negotiations with Israel’s representatives as they worked out together how they should be fulfilled. Alternately one of them might have been a visiting satrap from another satrapy who took part in the official ceremony, even possibly as a twofold witness (we can compare how, in Acts, when King Agrippa was visiting Festus he took part in the trial of Paul – Acts 25). But the two are mentioned because that is the number of satraps that Israel’s representatives saw, not necessarily because there were two official satraps of Beyond the River.
‘And they furthered the people and the house of God.’ This may refer to the satraps, and the governors of administrative districts within the satrapy, in that they expeditiously fulfilled the requirements of the decree. Or it may refer to the leading men of Israel as they carried out their part in the fulfilling of the decree. Indeed it may refer to both. Whichever way it is the point being made is that the Persian rulers did what was right by God’s people, in enhancing the Temple, and ensuring that it fully fulfilled its purpose in encouraging the worship of God, whilst the leaders of Israel played their part in ensuring the same.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
REFLECTIONS
My soul! doth not this view of Ezra’s return from Babylon, with the number of the people here named and recorded, suggest to thee the ransomed of Zion, which shall one day return with everlasting joy upon their heads; when Jesus shall again be seen on the holy mount, and with him, not only the hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of Israel, but also a multitude which no man can number of all kindred’s, nations, and languages! Oh! how delightful will be that appearance; and how sure and certain is the journey to it now. There is an highway opened, and it is indeed called the way of holiness. And it is truly called the way of holiness, for Jesus is himself the way; and the holiness of his person and finished – work, is the holiness of his people. The wayfaring men, though fools, cannot err therein. Here, precious Jesus, may I be found, returning from the Babylon of this world to the Jerusalem of a better. Yes! thou dearest Lord, thou art indeed the way, the only way, the sure way. For in thy person, thy redemption-work, thy covenant righteousness, thy atoning blood, followed with all the promises, and invitations, and assurances of thy gospel, my soul finds a sure way, and would walk in no other. Most fully convinced I am, that salvation is in no other; neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Witness for me, that my soul is come in this way: And oh! fulfil that precious promise, Lord, to my soul, that all that do come thou wilt in no wise cast out.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ezr 8:36 And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Ver. 36. And they furthered the people ] Heb. They gave them a lift, lent them a helping hand; not out of love to the work, but for fear of the king, and in pursuance of his commands and commissions. Thus the devil and his imps sometimes do God’s will, though with an ill will, Psa 109:31 . They continue this day according to thine ordinances; for all are thy servants. How much better were it to work from a right principle, not by constraint, but willingly; not for fear of wrath, but of a ready mind, 1Pe 5:2 ; to love to be God’s servants, taking hold of his covenant, Isa 56:6 , and saying to him, as the people did to Joshua, Jos 1:16 , or as the rulers and elders to Jehu, 2Ki 10:5 , “We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
commissions = Royal decrees. Hebrew. dath.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the king’s commissions: Ezr 7:21-24
lieutenants: Ezr 4:7-23, Ezr 5:6-17
they furthered: Ezr 6:13, Isa 56:6, Isa 56:7, Act 18:27, Rev 12:16
Reciprocal: Est 9:3 – the rulers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 8:36. They delivered the kings commissions to the lieutenants, and they furthered the people Even the enemies of the Jews became their friends, yielded to Ezras commission, and, instead of hindering the people of God, furthered them, purely out of complaisance to the king. When he appeared moderate, they all coveted to appear so too. And the house of God The completion of which they furthered, adorning and furnishing it with these vessels and other conveniences, and promoting Gods worship and service therein.