Bible Commentary

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. 12. after that ] So R.V., R.V. marg. ‘ because that ’. The purpose of the passage … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:12”

And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and set up. 11. We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth ] The words of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:11”

We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that [were] the chief of them. 10. We asked their names ] R.V. we asked them their names. So the Aramaic. For the names of the Elders, cf. Ezr 2:2. the chief of them ] R.V. at the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:10”

Then asked we those elders, [and] said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? 9. Who commanded , and to make up ] R.V. Who gave a decree, and to finish. Cf. on Ezr 5:3. these walls ] R.V. ‘ this wall ’ as in Ezr … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:9”

Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands. 8. the province of Judea ] R.V. the province of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:8”

They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. 7. a letter ] In Ezr 5:6 called in the Aramaic ‘iggarta’ (cf. ), here ‘pithgama’ (cf. Ezr 4:17), the more official designation. all peace ] Literally ‘peace, the completeness or entirety’. The two words in apposition. ‘Peace in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:7”

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which [were] on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king: 6. Tatnai, the governor on this side the river ] R.V. Tattenai, the governor beyond the river, and Shethar-bozenai. See note on Ezr … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:6”

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter]. 5. But the eye of their God ] Cf. Deu 11:12, ‘a land which God careth for; the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:5”

Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? 4. Then said we unto them, &c.] R.V. Then spake we unto them after this manner, What, &c. Margin, ‘Or, Then spake we unto them after this manner. What, said they, are the names ’, &c. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:4”

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? 3 17. The Complaint against the Jews 3. And ] Omit R.V. Not in the original. Tatnai, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:3”