Bible Commentaries

Haggai. The prophet of that name. In the second year of Darius (Haggai 1:1), "sixth month".

Zechariah. The prophet of that name. In the second year of Darius, "eighth month" (Zechariah 1:1).

GOD. Chaldee. "elah (sing). Same as Eloah. App-4.

of Israel. Still "Israel", because representative of the whole nation. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.

even unto them: or "[which was] over them".

governor. Chaldee. pechah (modern "Pasha"). Tatnai was governor in Syria, Zerubbabel was governor in Judah. Compare verses: Ezra 5:6, Ezra 5:14, Ezra 5:6, Ezra 7:13; Ezra 8:36. Daniel 3:2, Daniel 3:3, Daniel 3:27; Daniel 6:7; and Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:14; Haggai 2:2, Haggai 2:21.

companions = colleagues or associates.

commanded you = made a decree to you; given a firman.

make up = build. So the wall had already been built by Nehemiah. See the Chronological Structure, p. 617, and notes on p. 618; and App-58.

said = told. Chaldee. "amar, which must be followed by the words spoken (which are given in next clause).

we. Note this pronoun (first person sing, and plural), Here, and Ezra 7:27, Ezra 9:15, and Nehemiah 1:1, Nehemiah 7:73; Nehemiah 12:27-43; Nehemiah 13:4-31. Septuagint, Syriac, and Arab, read "they".

after this manner., Ezra 5:4 should be rendered "we told them what the names were, accordingly the names of the men", &c. It is not a question.

men. As in Ezra 4:21.

make this building. Hebrew "build this building". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6), for emphasis.

the eye. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6. elders. Chaldee. sib = grey, hoary. Used only of Ezra here and Ezra 6:7, Ezra 6:8, Ezra 6:14.

Darius. See note on Ezra 4:5.

answer. See note on Ezra 4:17.

Tatnai. His name has been recently found in a contract.

Apharsachites. See note on Ezra 4:9.

province. Compare Nehemiah 1:3.

great = rolling: i.e. too heavy to be moved without rolling.

chief = head.

the GOD of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23. GOD. Chaldee. "elah. Same as Eloah. App-4.

these many years ago. Neh 500 years.

and set up. Compare 1 Kings 6:1.

gave them. Compare 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Kings 25:8-11.

Cyrus. Compare Ezra 1:1.

Babylon. Included now with Persia. Compare Ezra 6:1. Nehemiah 13:6.

the vessels. Compare Ezra 1:7, Ezra 1:8; Ezra 6:5.

Sheshbazzar. See note on Ezra 1:8. This was Nehemiah, who was present, though the stone was actually laid by Zeruhbabel (Zechariah 4:9).

carry them into = set them down, or deposit them in.

is = is to be.