Bible Commentaries

And there was found at ^a Achmetha, in the palace that [is] in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein [was] a record thus written:

(a) In which were the acts of the kings of the Medes and Persians.

And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which [is] at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and ^b brought again unto the temple which [is] at Jerusalem, [every one] to his place, and place [them] in the house of God.

(b) Meaning Zerubbabel to whom he gives charge.

Now [therefore], Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which [are] beyond the river, be ye far ^c from thence:

(c) Meddle not with them neither hinder them.

Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, [even] of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be ^d not hindered.

(d) For lack of money.

And the God that hath caused his name ^e to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter [and] to destroy this house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

(e) Who has appointed that place to have his Name called on there.

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of ^f Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished [it], according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

(f) Whom God stirs up to assure them that he would give their work good success.

And this house was finished on the third day of the month ^g Adar, which was in ^h the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

(g) This is the twelfth month and contains part of February and part of March.

(h) The 42nd year after their first return.

And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had ⁱ separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

(i) Who were of the heathen and forsook their idolatry to worship the true God.

And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of ^k Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

(k) Meaning Darius who was king of the Medes, Persians and Assyrians.