Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Abominations, or sins, ( Menochius.) marrying with infidels, contrary to the law. Exodus 34:15. Deuteronomy 7:3. D.—Malachy (2:11) reprehends this conduct, and threatens both rulers and people who tolerate it, with God’s indignation. Worthington.
Verse 2. First. Or “was in this first transgression,” incurred by those who returned with Zorobabel; or “was concerned in this very heinous transgression;” in transgressione hac prima. Calmet.—Prot. “hath been chief.” 3 Esd. “and the leaders and grandees partook in this illegal affair, from its commencement.” Septuagint “and the hand of the chiefs was in this transgress, in the beginning.” This would greatly increase the difficulty of reformation. Some of the princes were however ready to undertake the work, and had preserved themselves from the two general contagion. Bible.—All marriages with the Moabites, and so forth were prohibited, if the women remained infidels. Exodus 34. Tirinus.
Verse 3. Coat, (tunicam) or inner garment. Bible.—Mourning. Hebrew “astonished.” Syr. Mont. Calmet. Prot.—Septuagint “alone.” 3 Esd. “pensive and in grief.” Bible.—Arab. “not uttering a word.” See Job 1:20 and 2:8. This was the ordinary posture of people in sorrow. Isaiah 3:26. Calmet.
Verse 4. To me, in the court of the temple. Calmet. 10:1. Menochius.—Sacrifice, which was offered last of all, about sun-set. Exodus 29:38. The Jews commonly protract their fasts till the stars appear. Leo, p. 3, art. 8.
Verse 7. At this day. Notwithstanding the favourable decrees of Cyrus, and so forth the greatest part of the people continued in captivity, being dispersed, some into Egypt, others into distant countries, beyond the Euphrates. Calmet.
Verse 8. As a. Prot. “for a little space, grace hath been shewed from the Lord,” ( Bible.) and yet we are again irritating Him! Calmet.—A pin, or nail, here signifies a small settlement or holding; which Esdras begs for, to preserve even a part of the people, who, by their great iniquity, had incurred the anger of God. Challoner.—Allusion is made to the pins which fasten down a tent, (Isaiah 33:20 and 54:2) or hinder a ship from being carried from the shore, (Tigur. Menochius.) on which utensils are hung up, (Tournemine) referring to the magistrates, who were now of the same country. Tirinus. Isaiah 22:21. Delrio, adag. 218.—Septuagint “a support.” Hebrew yathed, denotes also a walking-stick, nail, and so forth Menochius.—Eyes, fill us with joy, in perfect security.—Little life, free us from danger. Calmet.—Esdras is afraid to ask for the impunity of all, but only begs that a small part may be spared, like a nail or post from a house, which may serve to rebuild it. Worthington.
Verse 9. Fence. Hebrew gader, “the name which the Carthaginians” gave to Cadiz, “as it signifies a fence,” or an inclosure. Pliny xxii. Calmet.—Some Latin MSS. read spem, “hope.” Lyran.—The Tig. version understands the wall of Jerusalem, built in a hurry. Menochius.—But this was not perfected, ( Bible.) if begun, till the time of Nehemias. 2 Ezra 1:3. Calmet.—God gave his protection to the people, ( Bible. Delrio, adag. 219.) by the king of Persia. Tirinus.
Verse 11. Mouth, like a vessel brim-full. Menochius.—Prot. “from one end ot the other.” Bible.
Verse 12. Peace. Alliance, ( Menochius.) or advantage. See Psalms 121:8. Moses had thus proscribed the Moabites, and so forth as he had done the people of Chanaan still more severely. The Israelites were to execute God’s decrees. Deuteronomy 23:6. Calmet.—The obstinate idolaters were to be exterminated.
Verse 13. Saved us. Prot. “hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve and hast given us such deliverance as this.” Septuagint “hast made our transgressions light,” ( Bible.) not weighing them with rigid severity. Calmet.
Verse 14. That. Hebrew “should we again break, &c … Wouldst thou not be angry?” and so forth
Verse 15. To be saved from our iniquities, which are still upon us. Bible.—We confess that, if we should be treated according to our deserts, we could expect no redress. But we trust in thy mercies, which have hitherto supported and brought us back from slavery. Calmet.
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.