Ezra
Verse 1. Addo was grand-father of the prophet, whose writings are extant. Calmet.—Both prophesied in the second year of Darius. Menochius.
EXPLANATIONS
Ezra 5
Historical chapter commentary
Ezra
Verse 2. Them. Aggeus had rebuked the people for building houses for themselves, while they neglected the temple. The work was hereupon resumed without any fresh order from the king; as the edicts of the usurper, Oropastes, were considered as null, and the Jews only answer the governor, that they had been authorized by Cyrus, verse 13. 17. Josephus, and 3 Ezra 3 and 4:47. assert that Darius had given leave. Calmet. Menochius.
Ezra
Verse 3. River, over all Syria, and so forth This man had not been bribed, but acted with great moderation, and in compliance with his duty. Calmet.—Counsel. Chal. “order … to make up this wall.”
Ezra
Verse 4. In. Septuagint “Then I (or they; ειπον. The Syr. and Arab. declare for the latter) said thus to them: What,” and so forth—We gave. Chal. “what are the names?” Bible.—It seems Thathanai asked this question, verse 10. The Jews might give in the names of Zorobabel, Josue, Aggeus, and so forth Calmet.
Ezra
Verse 5. Ancients. Septuagint “captivity of Juda.” Bible.—Divine Providence favoured the undertaking. Delrio adag. 216. Menochius. Psalms 32:18.—His eye sometimes threatens ruin. Amos 9:8. Calmet.—God did both on this occasion. Worthington.—Hinder. Chal. “cause them to leave off, till the matter came to Darius, ( Bible.) and his decision was brought back;” ( Calmet.) or Prot. “and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.” Septuagint “and they did not molest them, till the sentence should be brought to (or from) Darius; and then it (word) was sent to the tax-gatherer, concerning this affair.”
Ezra
Verse 8. Unpolished. Prot. “great.” Bible.—Hebrew “to be rolled.” See Vitruv. x. 6. Septuagint “choice stones.” Kimchi, and so forth “marble.” Calmet.—3 Esd. “polished and precious stones.” Bible.—Yet the Vulg. seems more conformable to Calmet. 6:4 and Agg. 2:2. Menochius. Ribera.—Walls, every fourth course. 3 Kennicott. 6:36. Calmet.
Ezra
Verse 13. Built. It did not appear that this edict had been revoked; ( Calmet.) nor could it be changed, if it had been passed by the advice of the Lord. Bible.
Ezra
Verse 14. Governor. Septuagint “over the treasury.”
Ezra
Verse 16. In building, being pretty far advanced, though for some time past it had been at a stand. Bible.—It is not probable that Zorobabel said this, but the author of the letter added it, as he supposed the Jews continued to do some little. Calmet.—He desired to favour their cause, yet so as not to irritate the Samaritans. Menochius.
Ezra
Verse 17. Library. Septuagint “treasury-house.” Arab. “for the archives.” It is called “the house of books.” Calmet. 6:1. Calmet.