Ezr 5:1-17.
ZERUBBABEL AND
JESHUA
SET
FORWARD THE
BUILDING OF THE
TEMPLE IN THE
REIGN OF
DARIUS.
1. Then the prophets . . . prophesied . . . in the name of the God of
Israel--From the recorded writings of Haggai and Zechariah, it appears
that the difficulties experienced and the many obstacles thrown in the
way had first cooled the zeal of the Jews in the building of the
temple, and then led to an abandonment of the work, under a pretended
belief that the time for rebuilding it had not yet come
(Hag 1:2-11).
For fifteen years the work was completely suspended. These two prophets
upbraided them with severe reproaches for their sloth, negligence, and
worldly selfishness
(Hag 1:4),
threatened them with severe judgments if they continued backward, and
promised that they would be blessed with great national prosperity if
they resumed and prosecuted the work with alacrity and vigor.
Zechariah the son of Iddo--that is, grandson
(Zec 1:1).
2. Then rose up Zerubbabel . . . and Jeshua . . . began to build the
house of God--The strong appeals and animating exhortations of these
prophets gave a new impulse to the building of the temple. It was in
the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes that the work, after a
long interruption, was resumed.
3, 4. At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side
the river--The Persian empire west of the Euphrates included at
this time Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Phœnicia, and other provinces
subject to Darius. The empire was divided into twenty provinces, called
satrapies. Syria formed one satrapy, inclusive of Palestine,
Phœnicia, and Cyprus, and furnished an annual revenue of three
hundred fifty talents. It was presided over by a satrap or viceroy, who
at this time resided at Damascus. Though superior to the native
governors of the Jews appointed by the Persian king, he never
interfered with their internal government except when there was a
threatened disturbance of order and tranquillity. Tatnai, the governor
(whether this was a personal name or an official title is unknown), had
probably been incited by the complaints and turbulent outrages of the
Samaritans against the Jews; but he suspended his judgment, and he
prudently resolved to repair to Jerusalem, that he might ascertain the
real state of matters by personal inspection and enquiry, in company
with another dignified officer and his provincial council.
5-17. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews,
&c.--The unusual presence, the imposing suite, the authoritative
enquiries of the satrap appeared formidable, and might have produced a
paralyzing influence or led to disastrous consequences, if he had been
a partial and corrupt judge or actuated by unfriendly feelings towards
the Jewish cause. The historian, therefore, with characteristic piety,
throws in this parenthetical verse to intimate that God averted the
threatening cloud and procured favor for the elders or leaders of the
Jews, that they were not interrupted in their proceedings till
communications with the court should be made and received. Not a word
was uttered to dispirit the Jews or afford cause of triumph to their
opponents. Matters were to go on till contrary orders arrived from
Babylon. After surveying the work in progress, he inquired: first, by
what authority this national temple was undertaken; and, secondly, the
names of the principal promoters and directors of the undertaking. To
these two heads of enquiry the Jews returned ready and distinct
replies. Then having learned that it originated in a decree of Cyrus,
who had not only released the Jewish exiles from captivity and
permitted them to return to their own land for the express purpose of
rebuilding the house of God, but, by an act of royal grace, had
restored to them the sacred vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried
off as trophies from the former temple, Tatnai transmitted all this
information in an official report to his imperial master, accompanying
it with a recommendatory suggestion that search should be made among
the national archives at Babylon for the original decree of Cyrus, that
the truth of the Jews' statement might be verified. The whole conduct
of Tatnai, as well as the general tone of his despatch, is marked by a
sound discretion and prudent moderation, free from any party bias, and
evincing a desire only to do his duty. In all respects he appears in
favorable contrast with his predecessor, Rehum
(Ezr 4:9).
8. the house of the great God, which is builded with great
stones--literally, "stones of rolling"; that is, stones of such
extraordinary size that they could not be carried--they had to be
rolled or dragged along the ground.
13. Cyrus the king . . . made a decree--The Jews were
perfectly warranted according to the principles of the Persian
government to proceed with the building in virtue of Cyrus' edict. For
everywhere a public decree is considered as remaining in force until it
is revoked but the "laws of the Medes and Persians changed not"
[Da 6:8, 12, 15].
16. Then came . . . Shesh-bazzar . . . since that time even until now
hath it been in building--This was not a part of the Jews' answer--they
could not have said this, knowing the building had long ceased. But
Tatnai used these expressions in his report, either looking on the
stoppage as a temporary interruption, or supposing that the Jews were
always working a little, as they had means and opportunities.
Ezra 5 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
Ezr 5:1-17. ZERUBBABEL AND JESHUA SET FORWARD THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE IN THE REIGN OF DARIUS.
1. Then the prophets . . . prophesied . . . in the name of the God of Israel--From the recorded writings of Haggai and Zechariah, it appears that the difficulties experienced and the many obstacles thrown in the way had first cooled the zeal of the Jews in the building of the temple, and then led to an abandonment of the work, under a pretended belief that the time for rebuilding it had not yet come (Hag 1:2-11). For fifteen years the work was completely suspended. These two prophets upbraided them with severe reproaches for their sloth, negligence, and worldly selfishness (Hag 1:4), threatened them with severe judgments if they continued backward, and promised that they would be blessed with great national prosperity if they resumed and prosecuted the work with alacrity and vigor.
Zechariah the son of Iddo--that is, grandson (Zec 1:1).
2. Then rose up Zerubbabel . . . and Jeshua . . . began to build the house of God--The strong appeals and animating exhortations of these prophets gave a new impulse to the building of the temple. It was in the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes that the work, after a long interruption, was resumed.
3, 4. At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river--The Persian empire west of the Euphrates included at this time Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Phœnicia, and other provinces subject to Darius. The empire was divided into twenty provinces, called satrapies. Syria formed one satrapy, inclusive of Palestine, Phœnicia, and Cyprus, and furnished an annual revenue of three hundred fifty talents. It was presided over by a satrap or viceroy, who at this time resided at Damascus. Though superior to the native governors of the Jews appointed by the Persian king, he never interfered with their internal government except when there was a threatened disturbance of order and tranquillity. Tatnai, the governor (whether this was a personal name or an official title is unknown), had probably been incited by the complaints and turbulent outrages of the Samaritans against the Jews; but he suspended his judgment, and he prudently resolved to repair to Jerusalem, that he might ascertain the real state of matters by personal inspection and enquiry, in company with another dignified officer and his provincial council.
5-17. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, &c.--The unusual presence, the imposing suite, the authoritative enquiries of the satrap appeared formidable, and might have produced a paralyzing influence or led to disastrous consequences, if he had been a partial and corrupt judge or actuated by unfriendly feelings towards the Jewish cause. The historian, therefore, with characteristic piety, throws in this parenthetical verse to intimate that God averted the threatening cloud and procured favor for the elders or leaders of the Jews, that they were not interrupted in their proceedings till communications with the court should be made and received. Not a word was uttered to dispirit the Jews or afford cause of triumph to their opponents. Matters were to go on till contrary orders arrived from Babylon. After surveying the work in progress, he inquired: first, by what authority this national temple was undertaken; and, secondly, the names of the principal promoters and directors of the undertaking. To these two heads of enquiry the Jews returned ready and distinct replies. Then having learned that it originated in a decree of Cyrus, who had not only released the Jewish exiles from captivity and permitted them to return to their own land for the express purpose of rebuilding the house of God, but, by an act of royal grace, had restored to them the sacred vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried off as trophies from the former temple, Tatnai transmitted all this information in an official report to his imperial master, accompanying it with a recommendatory suggestion that search should be made among the national archives at Babylon for the original decree of Cyrus, that the truth of the Jews' statement might be verified. The whole conduct of Tatnai, as well as the general tone of his despatch, is marked by a sound discretion and prudent moderation, free from any party bias, and evincing a desire only to do his duty. In all respects he appears in favorable contrast with his predecessor, Rehum (Ezr 4:9).
8. the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones--literally, "stones of rolling"; that is, stones of such extraordinary size that they could not be carried--they had to be rolled or dragged along the ground.
13. Cyrus the king . . . made a decree--The Jews were perfectly warranted according to the principles of the Persian government to proceed with the building in virtue of Cyrus' edict. For everywhere a public decree is considered as remaining in force until it is revoked but the "laws of the Medes and Persians changed not" [Da 6:8, 12, 15].
16. Then came . . . Shesh-bazzar . . . since that time even until now hath it been in building--This was not a part of the Jews' answer--they could not have said this, knowing the building had long ceased. But Tatnai used these expressions in his report, either looking on the stoppage as a temporary interruption, or supposing that the Jews were always working a little, as they had means and opportunities.