Verse 1

Darius: i.e. Darius (Hystaspis). See Chronological Structure and notes (pp 617, 618), and App-67.

Babylon. See note on Ezra 5:13.

Verse 2

Achmetha = Ecbatana, the capital of ancient Media.

Verse 3

first. year of Cyrus. Compare Ezra 1:1.

offered. Chaldee. deba"h. Same as Hebrew. zebach. App-43.

Verse 4

rows = layers or stories, as in 1 Kings 6:36.

new timber. Should be "timber, one": i.e. one row. In changing the ancient characters into the modern square characters the aleph ("a) in had"a ("one"), in the ancient character, was mistaken for, Tau, the "th" in hadath ("new"), and so was transliterated. The Septuagint has preserved the original reading, and the Revised Version notes it in the margin. The two lines should read: "layers of great stones, three; and a layer of timber, one".

house = treasury: "house" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the treasures in it.

Verse 5

vessels. Compare Ezra 1:7.

is = was.

Verse 6

Tatnai, governor = Tatnai, pasha. See notes on Ezra 5:3, Ezra 5:6.

companions = fellow-labourers or colleagues.

Verse 7

Jews. See note on Ezra 4:12.

Verse 8

I make a decree. This was a new decree of Darius Hystaspis.

Verse 9

GOD. Chaldee. "elah. (Singular) Same as Hebrew Eloah. App-4.

GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23.

wine = strong red wine. Hebrew. chemer. See App-27.

Verse 10

sweet savours. See note on Leviticus 1:9.

Verse 11

alter. A similar strong threat in the inscription of Darius on the Behistun rock (App-57). Compare Daniel 3:29.

Verse 12

alter. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6): "alter [this decree]".

Verse 14

commandment = decree.

Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, to mark the important fact that three kings, at various times, were concerned in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The last named was the first in order. Darius was Darius Hystaspis, and Artaxerxes was Astyages (the father of Cyrus), the same as in Nehemiah 2:1. See App-57and App-58; and notes on p. 618.

Verse 15

Adar = the twelfth month. See App-51.

Verse 16

children = sons.

Verse 17

offered = brought near. App-43.

all Israel. See note on 1 Kings 12:17. Note the number "twelve". App-10.

Verse 18

as it is written = according to the writing.

the book of Moses: i.e. the Pentateuch. See App-47.

Verse 19

And, &c. Here recommences the Hebrew language. See note on Ezra 4:8.

kept the passover. One of the ten so recorded. See note on Exodus 12:28.

Verse 21

heathen = nations.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.