they came near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Asor Haddan sent a priest to instruct these people, but Salmanasar had transported them into the country. Calmet.—They continued for some time worshipping idols alone, and afterwards they consented to pay the like adoration to the Lord. 4 Kennicott. 17:24, and so forth Bible.—It is clear, from their petition, that they had as yet no temple. The first was erected by them on Garizim, by leave of Alexander the Great, as a retreat for Manasses, brother of the Jewish high priest, and other who would not be separated from their strange wives. Joseph. xi.—Yet the Sam. Chronicle, lately published, seems to give a higher antiquity to that temple, and pretends that a miracle declared in favour of the place. Calmet.—The fathers indeed adored there, (John 4:20. Genesis 12:6,) and Josue erected an altar on Hebal, but the Samaritan copy says it was to be on Garizim. Deuteronomy 27:4. Joshua 8:30. Bible.