Verse 1

seventh month. Tisri. See App-51.

children = sons.

of Israel. See note on Ezra 2:2, and 1 Kings 12:17.

the cities. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "their cities".

to = in. Therefore this was after Nehemiah 7:1-4.

Verse 2

Jeshua. The high priest. Spelled Joshua in Haggai 1:1; Haggai 2:2. Zechariah 3:1.

Jozadak. The son of Seraiah (1 Chronicles 6:14, 1 Chronicles 6:15). But Ezra was the son of Seraiah (Ezra 7:1). Therefore Ezra was brother to Jozadak and uncle to Joshua the high priest.

Zerubbabel. Compare Matthew 1:12. Luke 3:27, called Zorobabel.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with Art.) = the [true] God. App-4.

offer = offer up. Hebrew. "alah. App-43.

written in the law of Moses. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47.

the man Of God (with Art.) = the [true] God. See note on Deuteronomy 33:1; and App-49.

Verse 3

people = peoples.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Verse 4

kept, &c. As recorded also in the parallel passage (Nehemiah 8:1-18).

as it is written. See Leviticus 23:34-43. Deuteronomy 16:13-15, and compare 1 Kings 8:2, 1 Kings 8:65.

Verse 7

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6), to emphasize each detail.

carpenters = artificers.

bring cedar trees. Compare 1 Kings 5:6. 2 Chronicles 2:8, 2 Chronicles 2:10.

Joppa. Compare Joshua 19:46. Acts 9:35, Acts 9:43. Jonah 1:3.

grant. Occurs only here.

Of = from. Genitive of Origin. See App-17.

Verse 8

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with Art.) the [true] God. App-4. set forward = oversee.

Verse 9

Judah: or Hodaviah, as in Ezra 2:40.

Verse 10

they set the priests: or, the priests took their stand.

cymbals. Hebrew mziltayim. Dual form, meaning two metal discs struck together, making a clashing sound. Not zilzilim, which = timbrels, but is translated cymbals in 2 Samuel 6:5 and Psalms 150:5, from the rustling sound. See note on 1 Chronicles 13:8.

Verse 11

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

shouted with a great shout. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

Verse 12

chief = heads.

who were. Some codices, with one early printed edition and "Vulgate, read "and the".

shouted aloud for joy. Thus fulfilling Jeremiah 33:10, Jeremiah 33:11.