and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Forest. Hebrew pordes, “paradise,” or garden planted with trees. Pliny (verse 23.) mentions a “paradise,” in Cœlosyria. Grot.—But Nehemias might petition to be supplied with cedars from Libanus, ( Tirinus.) as they had been given for the temple. 1 Ezra 3:7. Bible.—Tower. Hebrew bira, means also “a palace or temple.” It may designate the porch of the temple, which was 120 cubits high; (2 Chronicles 3:4. Calmet.) though that had been lately repaired by Esdras. Menochius.—Others think the doors of the courts are meant, as they were as strong as those of towers. Vatab.—They were not yet finished. Calmet. 10:9. Many believe that ( Calmet.) Nehemias speaks of the royal palace, which had been almost contiguous to the temple, ( Menochius.) where he intended to build one for himself, while he should reside in the city. Tirinus.—But this might give umbrage to the king. Calmet.—He could not, however, intend his favourite to remain without a suitable palace; and the latter seems to have designed not only to repair that which Solomon had founded, but also to erect another house for the governor. Bible.—Good hand; favour, ( Menochius.) and powerful aid. Bible.