Ezra
Ezra 5
Chapter V · Vol. II, pp. 897–899
1 Zerubbabel and Jeshua, incited by Haggai and Zechariah, set forward the building of the temple. 3 Tatnai and Shethar-boznai could not hinder the Jews. 6 Their letter to Darius against the Jews.
1 Then the prophets, aHaggai the prophet, and Zechariah the bson of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem cin the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.1
B.C. 520.
a Hag.1.1.
b Grandson, Zec.1.1.
c Hag.i.ii. Zec.i.-iv. Mi.5.4. 2 Co.5.20. Mat.28.20.
1 The subject of their prophecies or preaching was doubtless their neglect of duty in not proceeding with the building of the temple. The people had left off from fear. The prophets showed them they should fear God rather than man; and that their duty to him was to erect a house for his worship. Their words were effectual, for the building of the temple was at once resumed.—P.
2 Then drose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and ebegan to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God fhelping them.
3 At the same time came to them gTatnai, governor on this side2 the river,3 and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, hWho hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
2 Westward of Euphrates.
3 The Persian empire now extended to the Mediterranean on the west, so that the Euphrates divided it from the eastern dependencies which extended to the Indus. Darius Hystaspes divided the empire into provinces or satrapies, each paying a fixed tribute to the royal treasury. That Tatnai should be governor of all west of the Euphrates is not probable, as the western division included Egypt, part of Arabia, Phœnicia, Cyprus, and the whole of Asia Minor, to the Hellespont and the Euxine. But it is evident he was possessed of power over the Jewish governor, and it is known that Judea remained united to the satrapy of Cœle-Syria till the time of Alexander.—C.
h ch.3.10;ver.10.
4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?4
4 The question of Tatnai and his fellow-commissioners evidently requires an answer, not a question, in return. Dr. A. Clarke accordingly renders the words—'These are the names,' &c. This rendering is confirmed by ver. 10.—C.
5 But the ieye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they kreturned answer by letter concerning this matter.
6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his lcompanions the Apharsachites,5 which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
l Societies, ch.4.7,9,17.
5 Apharsachites—Persia proper is still called Fars or Pars, which was the name of its ancient capital; which name may be clearly discerned in the dignified patronymic of Tatnai's companions.—C.
7 They sent a letter6 unto him, wherein7 was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
6 The contrast is very striking between this letter and that which on a former occasion had been written by the Samaritans. This contains a candid statement of the circumstances of the case as the governor had found them. The letters and edicts of this book, it has been remarked, are very interesting specimens of the form and style of the official correspondence and state orders of a very ancient period.—I.
7 Chald. in the midst whereof.
8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into mthe province of Judea, to the house of the ngreat God, which is builded with great stones,8 and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, oWho commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
o ver.3,4.
10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the pservants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded qand set up.
12 But rafter that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of sNebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.9
r Is.59.1,2. 2 Ki.21.15. 2 Ch.36.16. De.xxviii.-xxxii.
s 2 Ki.xxiv.xxv. Je.xxxix.lii. with Le.xxvi. De.xxviii.-xxxii. 1 Ki.9.7-9.
9 Tatnai and his companions were evidently men of great accuracy; for they write not in their own words, but in words that none but a Jew could have employed. But they seem likewise men of piety, for they detail the Jewish theology with a good-will that idolatry or infidelity would never admit.—C.
13 But tin the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
t ch.1.1-8;6.3-5.
14 And uthe vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar,1 whom he had made governor;2
u ch.1.7,8;6.5, with 2 Ch.36.8,18. Da.5.2. Phi.1.12. Pr.21.1.
A.M. 3484. B.C. 520.
1 Probably the military officer that conducted the people from Babylon, and had the oversight of the work; but some think Ezra is here meant.—I.
2 Or, deputy.
15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16 Then xcame the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.y
x ch.2.2;3.8;ver.2.
y ch.6.14.
Notes
Reflections.—It is highly desirable to have church and state concurring in the work of reformation: but the declaration of divine truths is always the principal mean. Faithful reprovers are profitable to obedient ears. When God raises up faithful ministers to animate sluggish or disheartened professors there is hope that the church will be built up: and if his eye be on us for good we need not fear what man can do to us. His comfortable presence should animate us to the utmost diligence in his work: nor ought we to conceal the just manifestations of his displeasure against us or our fathers. It is a great mercy when the people of God have to do with enemies that make some conscience of telling the truth. Christ's followers are never persecuted but when they are belied. Let their cause be but fairly stated and fairly heard and it will stand its ground against every opposition. And it is often false information and not malice that makes magistrates to issue forth persecuting edicts and sentences.