Cyrus. The son of Astyages and Esther. See App-57 , on the genealogy of the Persian kings. So named Neh 200 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28 ). The book of Esther precedes the book of Ezra-Nehemiah, and Nehemiah 1:1Nehemiah 7:4 precedes Ezr 1:1-14 . See note on Nehemiah 1:2 .Esther 3:8 ; Esther 10:3 , and App-57 .
God of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 . Appropriate in the mouth of Cyrus, and in contrast with all heathen inscriptions.
hath given me. The son of Astyages (the venerable king = Ahasuerus) and Esther. Trained by Mordecai and Nehemiah, he was brought up in the knowledge of God and His Word.
charged me to build. Compare Isaiah 44:24-28 ; Isaiah 45:1-6 , Isaiah 45:13 .
an house. This proclamation put first, as it is the great subject treated of by Ezra.
the chief of the fathers: i.e. those named in the next chapter.
chief = heads.
judah and Benjamin. But the other tribes found representatives. Compare Ezra 2:59 , Ezra 2:70 , where the terms "of Israel" and "all Israel" are used. In 1 Chronicles 9:3 , Ephrairn and Manasseh are mentioned by name. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .
Sheshbazzar = the Chaldean name of the prince of Judah. Not Zerubbabel, which means born at Babel. Probably = Nehemiah, for he was the son of Hachaliah and Zidkijah (Nehemiah 10:1 ), and therefore a "prince of. Judah".
chargers = basons or bowls. Hebrew. 'agartal. In Numbers Ke'arah, plate or dish. Eng. "charger", from French charger, to load. Hence used of both a dish and a horse.
Verse 1
Cyrus. The son of Astyages and Esther. See App-57 , on the genealogy of the Persian kings. So named Neh 200 years before he was born (Isaiah 44:28 ). The book of Esther precedes the book of Ezra-Nehemiah, and Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 7:4 precedes Ezr 1:1-14 . See note on Nehemiah 1:2 .Esther 3:8 ; Esther 10:3 , and App-57 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
mouth . Compare 2 Chronicles 36:21-23 .Jeremiah 29:10-14 .
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
Verse 2
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
God of heaven. See note on 2 Chronicles 36:23 . Appropriate in the mouth of Cyrus, and in contrast with all heathen inscriptions.
hath given me. The son of Astyages (the venerable king = Ahasuerus) and Esther. Trained by Mordecai and Nehemiah, he was brought up in the knowledge of God and His Word.
charged me to build. Compare Isaiah 44:24-28 ; Isaiah 45:1-6 , Isaiah 45:13 .
an house. This proclamation put first, as it is the great subject treated of by Ezra.
Verse 3
Who is there . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
build = rebuild.
Verse 4
whosoever [of the captive people] remameth in any place, &c. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis.
remaineth = is left.
the men of his place: i.e. his Persian neighbours.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true] God, App-4 .
Verse 5
the chief of the fathers: i.e. those named in the next chapter.
chief = heads.
judah and Benjamin. But the other tribes found representatives. Compare Ezra 2:59 , Ezra 2:70 , where the terms "of Israel" and "all Israel" are used. In 1 Chronicles 9:3 , Ephrairn and Manasseh are mentioned by name. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .
Verse 6
their hands = them. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for themselves.
Verse 7
which Nebuchadnezzar had brought. Compare 2 Kings 24:13 ; Ezr 25:14 . 2 Chronicles 36:1 .Jeremiah 27:18-22 ; Jeremiah 28:6 ; Jeremiah 52:18 , Jeremiah 52:19 . Daniel 1:2 ; Daniel 5:2 .
Verse 8
Sheshbazzar = the Chaldean name of the prince of Judah. Not Zerubbabel, which means born at Babel. Probably = Nehemiah, for he was the son of Hachaliah and Zidkijah (Nehemiah 10:1 ), and therefore a "prince of. Judah".
Verse 9
chargers = basons or bowls. Hebrew. 'agartal. In Numbers Ke'arah, plate or dish. Eng. "charger", from French charger, to load. Hence used of both a dish and a horse.