Ezra · Chapter 5

ver. 1, 2. Their adversaries oppose them again, ver. 3-5. Write to Darius, ver. 6-17.

V. 1. The son-His grand-child; for he was the son of Baraciah. Prophesied-Commanding them from God to return to building the temple, with a promise of his favour and assistance.

Verse 1. Haggai-and Zechariah] These are the same whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets.

The son of Iddo] That is, the grandson of Iddo; for Zechariah was the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo. See his prophecy, Zecariah 1:1.

Verse 1. Haggai and Zechariah — Concerning these prophets, see the books which bear their names. They are both thought to have been born at Babylon during the captivity, and both with united zeal encouraged the people to go on with the work of the temple. Upon the accession of Darius to the throne, Haggai, in particular, by reproaching the people with their indolence and insensibility; by telling them that they were careful enough to lodge themselves very commodiously, while the house of the Lord lay buried in its ruins; and by putting them in mind that the calamities of drought and famine, wherewith God had afflicted them since their return, were owing to their neglect in repairing the temple, prevailed with them to set about the work in good earnest; so that, by virtue of these reproofs, as well as some encouragements which God occasionally authorized him to give them, they brought the whole to a conclusion in a short time. The son of Iddo — That is, the grandson; for Zechariah was the son of Barachiah. Prophesied unto the Jews — Commanding them from God to return to building the temple, with a promise of his favour and assistance.

THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE RESUMED, 1, 2.

1. Haggai… Zechariah — These prophets were contemporary, and both were probably among those exiles who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Prophecies of both of them are extant in the books which bear their names among the minor prophets. It is noticeable that while both are called prophets, yet Haggai is emphatically the prophet, and Zechariah is called here, and at Ezra 6:14, the son of Iddo. In the book of his prophecy Zechariah calls himself “the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo,” from which it appears that Iddo was his grandfather rather than his father. The word son is, therefore, to be understood here, as often elsewhere, in the sense of descendant, either grandson or great grandson. The prophet naturally mentions his own father, but the historian, perhaps because Barachiah had died early, or was little known, calls Zechariah the son of Iddo, who was well known as one of the priests who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Nehemiah 12:4, 16. And as this prophet was of priestly origin, it may be that he is designated by his grandfather’s name rather than his prophetic office to enhance his influence and authority among the Jews. Here would seem to be prophet and priest combined, to rouse and inspire the Jews to action. Unto them — Rather, upon them; that is, upon these prophets. The name of the God of Israel was upon these prophets, inasmuch as they spake by Divine inspiration and authority. Compare Jeremiah 15:16.

V. 2. Helping-Encouraging the people to work by their presence, and assurance of success. It is supposed, the work had stopt about fifteen years. The first chapter of Haggai is the best comment on these two verses.

Verse 2. Then rose up Zerubbabel] Here we find three classes of men joining in the sacred work: Zerubbabel the civil governor; Jeshua the high priest or ecclesiastical governor; and Haggai and Zechariah the prophets. How glorious it is when we see the civil government joining with the sacerdotal and prophetic for the establishment and extension of true religion!

Verse 2. Then rose up Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and began to build the house — It had been begun to be built long before, but from the first had gone on very slowly, and afterward had been quite intermitted, till those great men, excited by the prophets, set the work forward again. With them were the prophets of God helping them — Encouraging them by their presence, and by assuring them that God would be with them to protect them from their enemies, and give them success. It is supposed the work had been stopped about fifteen years. The first chapter of Haggai is the best comment on these two verses.

2. Then rose up — It seems from Haggai 1:2, that the people had become discouraged at the opposition they met in rebuilding the temple, and after being hindered by royal authority, they concluded that the time for rebuilding the Lord’s house had not yet come. But when the Magian usurper was deposed, and Darius began to restore the Zoroastrian temples and worship, of which he speaks in his great Behistun inscription, the prophets discerned that things had changed, and the people should feel encouraged to resume their work again. The prophets… helping them — Urging and inspiring them to action by such exhortations and appeals as are found in the first chapter of Haggai.

V. 3. Shethar-boznai-Not Rehum and Shimshai, &c. who were either dead, or removed from their office by Darius.

Verse 3. Tatnai, governor] He was governor of the provinces which belonged to the Persian empire on their side of the Euphrates, comprehending Syria, Arabia Deserta, Phœnicia, and Samaria. He seems to have been a mild and judicious man; and to have acted with great prudence and caution, and without any kind of prejudice. The manner in which he represented this to the king is a full proof of this disposition.

Verses 3, 4. Tatnai and Shethar-boznai — These were probably new governors, or prefects, whom Darius had sent; for it was usual with new kings to change the governors of provinces. Who hath commanded you to build this house? — No sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the friends of the temple to appear for it, but the evil spirit stirred up its enemies to appear against it. While the people builded and ceiled their own houses, their enemies gave them no molestation, (Haggai 1:4,) though the king’s order was to put a stop to the building of the city, Ezra 4:21. But when they fell to work again at the temple, then the alarm was taken, and all heads were at work to hinder it. Then said we unto them — We Jews; What are the names, &c. — Certainly there ought to be no interrogation in this verse, but the words should be rendered, Then we told them accordingly (that is, according to what they asked) what were the names of the men that made this building; that is, who were the chief undertakers and encouragers of the work. For it appears, from verse 10, that Tatnai and his companions inquired who were the chief promoters of the work, to which a true answer was immediately given.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

V. 4. We-Jews. Accordingly-According to what they asked. That made this building-That were the undertakers and encouragers of it.

Verse 4. What are the names] It is most evident that this is the answer of the Jews to the inquiry of Tatnai, Ezra 5:3, and the verse should be read thus: Then said we unto them after this manner: THESE are the names of the men who make this building.

Verses 3, 4. Tatnai and Shethar-boznai — These were probably new governors, or prefects, whom Darius had sent; for it was usual with new kings to change the governors of provinces. Who hath commanded you to build this house? — No sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the friends of the temple to appear for it, but the evil spirit stirred up its enemies to appear against it. While the people builded and ceiled their own houses, their enemies gave them no molestation, (Haggai 1:4,) though the king’s order was to put a stop to the building of the city, Ezra 4:21. But when they fell to work again at the temple, then the alarm was taken, and all heads were at work to hinder it. Then said we unto them — We Jews; What are the names, &c. — Certainly there ought to be no interrogation in this verse, but the words should be rendered, Then we told them accordingly (that is, according to what they asked) what were the names of the men that made this building; that is, who were the chief undertakers and encouragers of the work. For it appears, from verse 10, that Tatnai and his companions inquired who were the chief promoters of the work, to which a true answer was immediately given.

Verse 4. Then said we. Septuagint: “Then said they unto them.”

4. Then said we — The elders of the Jews. From the use of the first person here, it is evident that this account was written by an eye-witness. What are the names of the men — Not to be taken interrogatively, but thus, what the names of the men were. Literally, who they were — the names of the men. The whole verse should be translated thus: Then thus told we them who they were — the names of the men — who this building were building.

Verse 5. The eye of their God was upon the elders] The watchful care of God was upon the elders. They were assured of his favour; and they found his especial providence working in their behalf.

Verse 5. But the eye of God was upon the elders, &c. — The peculiar favour, watchful providence, and powerful protection of God, giving them courage and resolution to go on with the work, notwithstanding the threats of their enemies; and so overruling the hearts and hands of their enemies, that they did not hinder them by force, as they might have done. While we are employed in God’s work, we are taken under his special protection, and his eye is upon us for good.

5. Could not cause them to cease — Rather, did not cause them to cease. Tamai and his companions had power to stop the work, but they waited till they might hear from the king Darius. Till the matter came to Darius — Rather, till the decree of Darius went forth. And then — Upon the issuing of Darius’s decree. They returned answer by letter — That is, Darius and his court officers in Persia returned answer. It is better to render the verb impersonally, and then was answered the letter concerning this matter. The letter concerning this matter is immediately added in vers. 6-17; the answer containing Darius’s decree is given in Ezra 6:1-12.

6. The Apharsachites — This one tribe and class of the colonists are here put for all those mentioned in Ezra 4:9, just as the Hittites are apparently named for all the Canaanites in Joshua 1:4. See note there.

7. Written thus — “This official letter of the Persian governor is quite a model of exactness, moderation, and truth, and gives a very favourable idea of the administrative part of the Persian government.” — Kitto.

V. 8. Great God-And indeed, thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them.

Verse 8. With great stones] They are making a very strong and a very costly building.

Verse 8. To the house of the great God — Whom the Jews account the great God, the God of gods, esteeming all others to be but little, or rather false gods. And, indeed, thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

Verse 11. We are the servants of the God of heaven] How simple, plain, and ingenuous is this confession! They were the servants of the God of heaven. How came they then into bondage! Why, they provoked the God of heaven-repeatedly sinned against him, and then he gave them into the hands of their enemies.

Verse 11. We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth — The God we worship is not a local deity; and therefore we cannot be charged with making a faction, or forming a sect in building this temple to his honour. But we pay our homage to the God on whom the whole creation depends, and therefore ought to be protected and assisted by all, and hindered by none. It is the wisdom as well as duty of kings to countenance the servants of the God of heaven. And build the house that was builded — Or rather, rebuild the house that was first built many years ago.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

Verses 12-14. After that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven — It was to punish us for our sins, that we were, for a time, put out of the possession of this house, and not because the gods of the nations had prevailed against our God. But in the first year of Cyrus, &c. — We have the royal decree of Cyrus to justify us, and bear us out in what we do. And he not only permitted, but charged and commanded us, to build this house, and to build it in its place, (verse 15,) the same place where it had stood before. And the vessels also, &c. — These also he delivered to one whom he intrusted with the care of them, and commanded him to restore them to their ancient place and use. And these we have to show in confirmation of what we allege.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

Verses 12-14. After that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven — It was to punish us for our sins, that we were, for a time, put out of the possession of this house, and not because the gods of the nations had prevailed against our God. But in the first year of Cyrus, &c. — We have the royal decree of Cyrus to justify us, and bear us out in what we do. And he not only permitted, but charged and commanded us, to build this house, and to build it in its place, (verse 15,) the same place where it had stood before. And the vessels also, &c. — These also he delivered to one whom he intrusted with the care of them, and commanded him to restore them to their ancient place and use. And these we have to show in confirmation of what we allege.

13. Cyrus the king of Babylon — So called because he ruled over Babylon as the principal province of his empire. Compare Ezra 6:22, note.

Verses 12-14. After that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven — It was to punish us for our sins, that we were, for a time, put out of the possession of this house, and not because the gods of the nations had prevailed against our God. But in the first year of Cyrus, &c. — We have the royal decree of Cyrus to justify us, and bear us out in what we do. And he not only permitted, but charged and commanded us, to build this house, and to build it in its place, (verse 15,) the same place where it had stood before. And the vessels also, &c. — These also he delivered to one whom he intrusted with the care of them, and commanded him to restore them to their ancient place and use. And these we have to show in confirmation of what we allege.

14. Sheshbazzar — See on Ezra 1:8.

INTERFERENCE OF TATNAI THE GOVERNOR, 3-17.

3. Tatnai — Probably the successor of Rehum “the chancellor.” Chapter 4:8. Governor on this side the river — Literally, Governor of beyond the river. Compare note on Ezra 4:10, and on beyond Jordan at Joshua 1:14. The country beyond the river in the Persian usus loquendi comprised especially Syria and Palestine, and seems to have been one of the satrapies of the Persian empire. According to Herodotus (iii, 89) Darius Hystaspes “established twenty governments of the kind which the Persians call satrapies, assigning to each its governor, and fixing the tribute which was to be paid him by the several nations. And generally he joined together in one satrapy the nations that were neighbours, but sometimes he passed over the nearer tribes, and put in their stead those that were more remote.” Tatnai seems to have been the governor of one of the subdivisions of the satrapy west of the Euphrates, commonly called beyond the river, as above described. The Hebrew word for governor is hjp, pechah, a term of Persian origin, and kindred to the Sanscrit paksha and Turkish pasha. See note on 2 Kings 18:24. Shethar-boznai — He was probably the secretary or scribe of Tatnai, sustaining to him the same relation that Shimshai did to Rehum. Ezra 4:8. Their companions — Compare Ezra 4:9.

Verse 16. Sheshbazzar] Probably the military officer that conducted the people from Babylon, and had the oversight of the work; but some think that Ezra is meant.

Verse 16. Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation, &c. — The building was begun according to this order, as soon as ever we were returned, so that we have not forfeited the benefit of the order, for want of pursuing it in time; still it has been in building; but because we have met with opposition, it is not finished. But observe, they mention not the falsehood and malice of the former governors, nor make any complaint of that, (though they had cause enough,) to teach us not to render bitterness for bitterness; nor the most just reproach for that which is most unjust; but to think it enough if we can obtain fair treatment for the future, without an invidious repetition of former injuries. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear to give a reason of the hope that is within us, 1 Peter 3:15; rightly to understand, and then readily to declare what we do in God’s service, and why we do it.

Ver. 16. Since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished. The chronology of the Persian empire is involved in great obscurity. Josephus, to whom the learned world have looked for help, is very much embarrassed here, for it is highly probable he had no chronology of those times in which he could confide. Hence, we cannot know how long the Jews had desisted from their work; nor exactly how long it was since Zerubbabel had laid the foundation.

16. Since that time even until now hath it been in building — It seems that in some way the building had been going on all through those years of trouble, and the year or a little more that it had entirely ceased, after the order of the pseudo-Smerdis, (Ezra 4:24, note,) was not of sufficient importance to be noticed in this letter.

V. 17. Now therefore. &c.-If the case had been so fairly stated to Artaxerxes, he would hardly have hindered the work. The people of God could not be persecuted, if they were not belied.

Verse 17. The-treasure house] ayzng ginzaiya. This is a Persian word, [Persian] gunji, a treasury.

There is a great deal of good sense and candour in this letter. Nothing of passion or prejudice appears in it. They laid before the king a fair statement without any attempt to prejudice his mind, and gave him those directions which were most likely to lead him to the truth, and to form a correct judgment on a business which, however it issued, must be of considerable importance to the state. God was in all this business; he was now giving an additional proof of his continued regard for a disobedient people, whom, though he had punished in his justice, he had spared in his mercy. EZRA

Verse 17. Now therefore, let there be search made, &c. — So they properly propose, that the real facts might be ascertained; in the king’s treasure-house — The house or place where the records of the kingdom were preserved very carefully, as rich treasures are wont to be. Thus these Samaritans seem to have given a fair representation of the cause of the Jews to the king, telling him only what was done namely, that they were rearing the temple, as persons that intended to worship, and not what was not done, that they were fortifying the city, as if they intended war; as those Samaritans that had written to Artaxerxes had falsely represented. It is probable, if their case had been as fairly stated to the former king (see the foregoing chapter) as it was now to Darius: he would not have ordered the work to be hindered. God’s people could not be persecuted if they were not belied. Let but the cause of God and truth be fairly stated and heard, and it will keep its ground.

Ver. 17. The king’s treasure house; so the LXX and the Chaldaic. The Latin has Bibliotheca, Library; but the Archives are understood. The transactions of a nation require a place for the records.

17. The king’s treasure-house — Where important records would be carefully preserved. There at Babylon — Where the official documents of Cyrus were supposed to be still remaining. But they were found at Achmetha. Ezra 6:2.