_Now_ or - _and_". At first sight a strange word with which to open a book. It implies the resumption or continuance, not the commencement, of a history. The use of it, however, receives explanation from either hypothesis mentioned in the preceding note. Regarding our book as having been compiled wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 1:1-4. The Decree of Cyrus The history of the time throws light upon the action of Cyrus, whose Decree gave life to the seemingly lifeless bones of Israel (Ezekiel 37) and restored the scattered flock to their pasture (34). Except by his personal attendants, the fall of Nabonidus, the last kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth_ R.V. ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH HATH THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, GIVEN ME. More correctly, (1) bringing out the emphasis implied by the position of the words in the original; (2) showing more accurately the usage of the Divine... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who_is there _among you of all his people? his God_, &c. R.V. WHOSOEVER THERE IS AMONG YOU OF ALL HIS PEOPLE, HIS GOD, &c., rightly translating by the indefinite relative instead of by the interrogative pronoun. _among you_ The decree is addressed to the inhabitants of the many kingdoms which the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth_ R.V. AND WHOSOEVER IS LEFT, IN ANY PLACE WHERE HE SOJOURNETH. The wording of this clause is a little ambiguous. The following paraphrase will give the meaning. -In any place where survivors of the Jewish captivity are to be found sojourning,... [ Continue Reading ]
The Return of the Jews under Sheshbazzar: a brief summary of events 5. _the chief of the fathers_ R.V. THE HEADS OF FATHERS" HOUSES. Literally rendered, the term would be -the heads of the fathers". Cf. the Latin -principes patrum". See Exodus 6:14. For the subdivision into (1) tribe, (2) family, ... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all_they that _were about them_ R.V. ROUND ABOUT THEM. A general expression which would include both the heathen neighbours, alluded to (in Ezra 1:3) by the edict, and the Jewish neighbours, not contemplated in the edict, who preferred to remain in the land of the Captivity. _strengthened their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also Cyrus the king_ i.e. the Jews were assisted not only by private individuals their neighbours, but by the example of the king himself. _the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth_&c. This refers especially to the capture of Jerusalem in 598, when Jehoiachin, h... [ Continue Reading ]
_by the hand of_ So A.V. and R.V. This phrase in the original is a little difficult. It occurs Ezra 8:26, -I even weighed _into their hand_&c.", 33, -was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed _into the hand_of, &c. (marg. -by"), Esther 6:9, -let the apparel and the horse be delivered _to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_chargers_ The word in the original does not occur elsewhere in the Bible. Its meaning is very uncertain: (1) the old Jewish interpretation quoted by Aben Ezra derived it from two words meaning -to collect" and -a lamb", and understood it to be applied to -vessels intended to receive the blood of vi... [ Continue Reading ]
_basons_ R.V. BOWLS i.e. vessels provided with covers or lids, almost our -tankards". Lat. -scyphi". The word occurs in 1 Chronicles 28:17 and Ezra 8:27. _of a second sort_ The fact that they were silver distinguishes them from the golden bowls just mentioned and makes this expression seem superflu... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the vessels_, &c., _five thousand and four hundred_ It is natural to expect that the words -all the vessels" would give us the sum total of the different figures mentioned in Ezra 1:9-10. The sum total however mentioned here is 5400. The vessels enumerated under the six classes (in Ezra 1:9-10)... [ Continue Reading ]