V. (1-2) Now occurs the intervention of the two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, whose testimonies and predictions should at this point be read. They reveal a state of apathy which Ezra does not allude to; such a state of things, in fact, as would have thwarted the whole design of Providence had it... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN ROSE UP. — This does not intimate that they had become indifferent. But the voice of prophecy inspirited them to go on without formal permission of Darius, who was known secretly to favour them already. THE PROPHETS OF GOD HELPING THEM. — In these two prophets we can read the invigorating sayi... [ Continue Reading ]
TATNAI, GOVERNOR ON THIS SIDE THE RIVER. — Satrap, or Pechah, of the entire province of Syria and Phœnicia, and therefore with a jurisdiction over Judaea, and over Zerubbabel its Pechah or sub-Satrap. What Shimshai was to the Samaritan Pechah, Rehum, Shethar-boznai seems to be to Tatnai — his secret... [ Continue Reading ]
(3-17) Tatnai’s appeal to Darius.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID WE. — The LXX. must here have read, “then said they.” But there is no need to change the text; the sentence is not a question, but a statement: “we said to the effect, what the names were.” WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE MEN ...? — It is clear that this graphic account is much compressed. We m... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEN THEY RETURNED ANSWER. — _And [till] they should receive answer._ It is implied that “the eye of their God” was with special vigilance fixed on the work, and it will appear that His influence was upon the officials of Persia as well as upon the rulers of the Jews. The letter that follows sho... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COPY OF THE LETTER. — This letter of Tatnai is introduced much in the same way as Helium’s; but its dispassionateness and good faith are in striking contrast with the latter. APHARSACHITES. — Probably here the same as the Apharsites before, and suggesting some kind of Persian guard. But the rea... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE HOUSE OF THE GREAT GOD. — A solemn tribute to the God of the Jews, which, however, the decree of Cyrus enables us to understand in this official document. Tatnai probably dwelt at Damascus, and when he went to Jerusalem was deeply impressed. But he only gives a statement of the progress which... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THUS THEY RETURNED US ANSWER. — The elders of the Jews take the Syrian satrap into their confidence, and give, in a few most pathetic words the record of their national honour, their national infidelity, and their national humiliation. Every word is true to the history, while the whole exhibits... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE THEM INTO THE HAND OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON, THE CHALDEAN. — These words not only show that the people regarded themselves as punished by the sole hand of God, but also remind the overthrowers of the Chaldean power that they also themselves are no more than instruments of the same... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THESE VESSELS, GO, CARRY THEM... AND LET THE HOUSE OF GOD ... — The three imperatives in this verse, without a copula, followed by a fourth, vividly express the feeling of the suppliants in the remembrance of the decree: thus we have another note of historical truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE THAT TIME. — No account is taken of the long interruption. Whether these words are part of the answer given to Tatnai by the Jewish leaders, or his own statement to Darius, it is evident that the unfinished building of a house decreed to be built by Cyrus is regarded as demanding investigation... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THERE BE SEARCH MADE. — All depended on the original decree, which nothing done intermediately by the usurper could cancel. And the request of Tatnai seems to imply that it would be found: although the original was not found in Babylon, as was expected, a copy had been made.... [ Continue Reading ]