Ezra 6:14

the elders of the Jews cf. Ezra 5:5.

and they prospered R.V. and prospered. Cf. Ezra 5:8.

through the prophesying i.e. the success of the work was due in great measure to the encouragement and support rendered by the two prophets. The LXX. and 1 Esd. render as if the meaning were -in the time of the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah." The Vulgate gives -in accordance with the prophesying" (juxta prophetiam).

Haggai … Zechariah see on Ezra 5:1.

and according to the commandment of Cyrus, &c. R.V. the decree of Cyrus, &c. The word in the original differs slightly from that in the previous clause. The R.V. preserves the distinction drawn between the Divine -commandment" and the human -decree".

Cyrus … Darius … Artaxerxes The decrees of Cyrus and Darius have been given by the author (chap. Ezra 1:2-4; Ezra 6:3-12). The mention of a decree of Artaxerxes occasions a difficulty. (1) The decree of Artaxerxes quoted in Ezra 4:18-22 is hostile to the Jews and could not be intended in this verse. (2) How does Artaxerxes" name occur in this passage, which is concerned with the reign of Darius? Certainly the context would lead us to expect the mention of only Cyrus and Darius. Some in consequence have supposed that the name of Artaxerxes has been inserted as a gloss, either in ignorance of the true chronology or for the sake of bringing together the names of the three great Persians, who were benefactors of the Jewish race. But the reading is attested by the LXX. version, and by Esther 7:4. We must therefore suppose hat the Compiler has in this passage as well as in Ezra 4:6-23 disregarded the chronology of the context and anticipated later history.