Ezra 4:5

This verse describes one effectual method of opposition, -hired counsellors against them". This will not necessarily imply that bribes were given to the king's ministers referred to elsewhere (Ezra 7:28; Ezra 8:25) as -his counsellors". We should in that case have had the word more definitely expressed as - thecounsellors" or -the king's counsellors".

It rather means that -the people of the land" paid officials (probably connected with the satrapy of Syria) to make unfavourable reports at the king's Court respecting -the people of Judah".

hired Cf. the application of Samaritan money withinthe Jewish community, Nehemiah 6:12-13. The word used with special reference to Balaam in Deuteronomy 23:4; Nehemiah 13:2.

to frustrate their purpose i.e. to render fruitless their cherished scheme of rebuilding the Temple. -Frustrate" = -break", Ezra 9:14. -Purpose" = -counsel" Ezra 10:3; Ezra 10:8; Nehemiah 4:15. The two words occur together Psalms 33:10 -The Lord bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought".

all the days of Cyrus, &c. Cyrus died in 529.

even until the reign of Darius king of Persia Cyrus was succeeded by Cambyses, who died in 522. Pseudo-Smerdis then reigned for 7 months, and was succeeded by Darius Hystaspes 522. (Upon the disputed question of chronology raised in this verse, see the note on Ezra 4:7.) Darius, Darayavus, -the Preserver" (Herod. VI. 98 translates ἑρξείης) gave order and system to the Persian Empire, of which he was the second founder. Darius consolidated the successes of Cyrus. Like Augustus following upon Julius Cæsar, he gave, as a statesman, system and cohesion to the Empire, which he had inherited from his predecessor's military genius.