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.