Ezra 6

Ezra 6:1

in Babylon] Or concerning Babylon.

Ezra 6:2

Achmetha] Called by Heathen Authors Ecbatana: signifying a Summer seat for coole refreshing; In which Citie the Kings of Media kept their Court in the Summer season.

Ezra 6:3

threescore Cubits] Cubits likely are taken here for common Cubits half the length of sacred Cubits; which sacred Cubits were unknowne to Heathen. And the number of them may be reckoned from the bottome of the foundation to the top on the outside; and from the outsides of the Temple, including the thicknesse of the walls, and of the Chambers adjoyning. And so this Temple will be lesse then Solomons, 1 Kings VI. 2. 2 Chron. III. 3. according to that Hag. II. 3. See the Annotations on this text: and the Observations on Ch. III. 12.

Ezra 6:4

three rowes] This relates to the Courts of the Temple.

Ezra 6:11

Let timber] The great zeale of this King for the Temple, appears in this, and other passages and Decrees, in this his Letter.

Ezra 6:14

Artaxerxes] Likely one of the seven that put down Smerdis Magus, and in a sort, at the beginning was fellow in Empire with Darius Hystaspides.

Ezra 6:15

finished] About twenty two years after their Returne: about twenty, since the foundation was laid.

Ezra 6:17

Offered] not comparable to that, 1 Kings VIII. 5, 63. 2 Chron. VII. 5. 7.

Ezra 6:19

And the children] From this to Chap. VII. ver. 11. the Text again is Hebrew.

Ezra 6:20

Killed] Each family, or master of family must not kill it themselves; as they did in Egypt; But Gods Ministers, Priests and Levites, must do it, 2. Chron. XXX. 15, 16, 17.

Ezra 6:21

separated themselves unto them] Heathen Proselytes.

Ezra 6:22

King of Assyria] See the Observations on 2 Chron. XXI. 2.