Chapter 4

1
the adversaries These were the Samaritans, the descendants of the various nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants captive. Ezra 7:9; 1Kgs 5:4-5; 1Chr 22:9-10; Neh 4:1-11; Dan 9:25; 1Cor 16:9

children of the captivity Heb. sons of the transportation, Ezra 1:11 *marg. Ezra 6:16, Ezra 6:19-20, Ezra 10:7, Ezra 10:16; Dan 5:13


2
Zerubbabel Ezra 1:5, Ezra 2:2, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 3:12

Let us Prov 26:23-26; 2Cor 11:13-15; Gal 2:4; 2Tim 3:8; 2Pet 2:1-2

we do 2Kgs 17:24, 2Kgs 17:27-33, 2Kgs 17:41

Esarhaddon Ezra 4:10, Asnappar, 2Kgs 19:37

Assur Gen 10:11; Ps 73:8; Isa 37:37, Assyria, Hos 14:3, Asshur


3
Ye have nothing Neh 2:20; John 4:22-23; Acts 8:21; Rom 9:4-5; 3John 1:9-10

king Cyrus Ezra 1:1-3, Ezra 6:3-5; 2Chr 36:22-23; Isa 44:28, Isa 45:1, Isa 45:4; Matt 10:16


4
weakened Ezra 3:3; Neh 6:9; Isa 35:3-4; Jer 38:4

troubled Neh 4:7-8, Neh 4:11


5
hired Ps 2:1-2; Nah 1:11; Acts 24:1-27

Darius Ezra 4:24, Ezra 5:5-17, Ezra 6:1-18


6
am 3475, bc 529

Ahasuerus Heb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.

wrote Matt 27:37; Acts 24:5-9, Acts 24:13, Acts 25:7; Rev 12:10


7
am 3482, bc 522

Artaxerxes This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi, who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses, for seven months, feigning himself to be Smerdis, brother of Cambyses. He is called Oropoestus by Justin, Smerdis by Herodotus, Mardus by AEschylus, and Sphendatates by Ctesias.

Bishlam or, in peace

companions Heb. societies, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 5:6

the Syrian tongue That is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the Ezra 4:8 of this chapter, to Ezra 7:27, the original is not Hebrew, but Chaldee, in those parts which consist of letters, decrees, etc., originally written in that language. 2Kgs 18:26; Isa 36:11; Dan 2:4


8
scribe or, secretary, Ezra 4:9; 2Sam 8:17, 2Sam 20:25; 2Kgs 18:18


9
companions Chal, societies

the Dinaites 2Kgs 17:24, 2Kgs 17:30-31

Apharsathchites Ezra 5:6, Ezra 6:6, Apharsachites

Susanchites Esth 1:2, Esth 2:3; Dan 8:2

Elamites Gen 10:22; Isa 21:2; Jer 25:25, Jer 49:34; Ezek 32:24; Acts 2:9


10
And the rest Ezra 4:1; 2Kgs 17:24-41

noble Asnapper Rom 13:7

at such a time Chal, Cheeneth, Ezra 4:11, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 7:12


12
rebellious Ezra 4:15, Ezra 4:19; 2Kgs 18:20, 2Kgs 24:1; 2Chr 36:13; Jer 52:3; Ezek 17:12-21; Luke 23:2-5; Acts 24:5; 1Thess 5:22; 1Pet 2:13-15

bad city Ps 48:1-2; Isa 1:21-23; Luke 13:34

set up or, finished, Neh 1:3; Dan 9:25

joined Chal, sewed together


13
if this city Neh 5:4; Ps 52:2, Ps 119:69

pay Chal, give

toll Ezra 7:24; Matt 9:9, Matt 17:25; Rom 13:6-7

revenue or, strength


14
have maintenance etc. Chal, are salted with the salt of the palace, Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life (Ecclus. 39:26 or verse 31); hence, by a very natural figure, salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed, says Mr. Parkhurst, that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies, "I eat such a one's salt," meaning, I am fed by him. Salt was also, as it still is, among eastern nations, a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence, to eat a man's salt, is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.

and it was Ezek 33:31; John 12:5-6, John 19:12-15


15
made within the same, Chal, in the midst thereof

this city Ezra 4:12; Neh 2:19, Neh 6:6; Esth 3:5-8; Dan 6:4-13; Acts 17:6-7

moved Chal

for which 2Kgs 24:20, 2Kgs 25:1, 2Kgs 25:4; Jer 52:3-34


16
thou shalt have Ezra 4:20; 2Sam 8:3; 1Kgs 4:24


17
companions Chal, societies, Ezra 4:7, Ezra 4:9

Peace Ezra 5:7, Ezra 7:12; Luke 10:5; Acts 23:26; Rom 1:7

at such a time Ezra 4:10-11


19
I commanded Chal, by me a decree is set

search Ezra 4:15, Ezra 5:17, Ezra 6:1-2; Deut 13:14; Prov 25:2

and it is found 2Kgs 18:7, 2Kgs 24:20; Ezek 17:13-19

made insurrection Chal, lifted up itself


20
mighty kings 1Kgs 4:21, 1Kgs 4:24; 1Chr 18:3; Ps 72:8

beyond Ezra 4:16; Gen 15:18; Josh 1:3-4

toll 1Chr 18:6, 1Chr 18:13, 1Chr 19:19; 2Chr 9:14, 2Chr 9:23-24, 2Chr 17:11, 2Chr 26:7-8


21
Give ye etc. Chal, Make a decree, Ezra 4:19


22
why should Ezra 4:13; Esth 3:8-9, Esth 7:3-4


23
Rehum Ezra 4:8-9, Ezra 4:17

they went up Prov 4:16; Mic 2:1; Rom 3:15

force Chal, arm


24
So Neh 6:3, Neh 6:9; Job 20:5; 1Thess 2:18

Darius This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis. He ascended the throne of Persia, am 3483, bc 521, and reigned 36 years. Ezra 5:5, Ezra 6:1; Hag 1:15


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