Ezra 6:12

And the God that hath caused his name, &c. A Hebrew phrase (see Deu 12:11; 1 Kings 8:29; Nehemiah 1:9; Jeremiah 7:12) introduced by the Jewish Compiler into his paraphrase of Darius's decree.

destroy all kings and people R.V. overthrow all kings and peoples. The word rendered -destroy" here by the A.V. differs in the Aramaic from that rendered -destroy" at the close of the verse. It is used in the Targum of 2 Kings 9:33 for the words -throw her down", of Psalms 119:139 -my zeal hath consumed me".

that shall put to their hand R.V. put forth their hand.

to alterand to destroy this house R.V. to alter the same, to destroy this house; i.e. alter the decree and to destroy the Temple. These words illustrate the latitude that should be given to the expression -alter"

with speed R.V. with all diligence, cf. Ezra 6:8, and Ezra 5:8.