Ezra 6

King Darius causeth search to be made for the command of king Cores, v.1. which being found, the king sendeth a very strict command to his Governor, and to all his Council, not only not to hinder the Jews, but to help and assist them all manner of ways, as well in the building of the Temple, as in necessaries requisite for the worship of God, v.2, &c. The Governor obeyeth this command, and so the Temple is finished and dedicated, 13. Moreover, the Passover-feast is kept with joy, 19.

1. Then king Darius gave command: [After they had made search, and found out King Cyrus his charge, Darius gave command to build up the Temple: The words of this command follow in the six verse] And they sought in the Chancery (or court of Rolls) Chald.in the house of books] where the treasures were laid up, [see above chap.5.on vers.17.] in Babel. [understand, not the city of Babel, but the country and dominion of Babylon taken in a large sense, and Media also reckoned under it.]

2. And (there) was found at Achmetha [Some hold this to be Echatana, where the Kings of Media kept their court in summer, from whence they conceive this place to have had the name of Achmetha, as their court in winter was kept at Seleucia by the River Tigris. Oth. in a chest, or cupboard] in the castle that is in the country of Media, a roll; [as if we should say, rolled together, a part of a book, called in Latine volume, in English volume; because the books of old were written in long rolls made of the bark of trees, and would or rolled together, Psal.41.8. and Jer.36.2. and Ezek.2.9. we find a roll of a book; and Ezek.2.10. Rev.5.1. a book written within and without, which is thought to have been a roll, so the Jews have yet at this day in their synagogues, the book of the Law of Moses, written in a long great roll of Parchment] and therein was written thus, REMEMBRANCE: [this seemeth to have been the superscription of the ensuing memorial or record.]

3. In the first year of King Cores, king Cores gave this command: The house of God at Jerusalem, the same house shall be builded in the place where they offer offerings, [Or, for a place, etc.] and the Foundations there of shall be heavy: [Chald. Properly, bearing; that is, so heavy and strong, that they may be able to bear the building] The height thereof threescore ells (or cubits) [this is understood by some of consent or permission, that the Temple should be raised up so high, whereas Salomons Temple was but thirty ells high, 1 Kings 6:2. Now it appeareth by Hag.2.3. that this building was not comparable to Salomons Temple. See likewise above chap.3.12.] and the breadth thereof threescore ells.

4. With three rows of great stones, [As above chap.5.8. See there] and one row of new Timber: And the charges shall be given out of the Kings house.

5. Moreover, the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezer carried away out of the Temple which was at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babel, shall be restored to go the Temple which is [or shall be] at Jerusalem, to his place, [to wit, of the Temple: or every one to his place; meaning this of the vessels] and they shall be carried down [oth. ye shall carry them down, or carry ye them down] to the house of God.

6. Now thou Thathnai, Deputy on the other side of the River [Euphrates] thou Sthar-Boznai, with your company, [Chald. And their company] the Apharsechanites that are on the other side of the River, be (ye) far from thence. [that is, take heed that you do not in any wise approach to hinder this work.]

7. Let them alone in the labour of this house of God: [that is, let them go on unhindered ad unmolested in the labour or work] let the Governor of the Jews, and the Eldest of the Jews build this house of God in its place.

8. Also command is given by me, what ye shall do to the eldest of the Jews, for to build this house of God: To wit, that out of the kings goods of the tribute on that side of the River, the expences be speedily given to these men, that they be not hindered. [Chald. That they may not cause to cease.]

9. And that which is needful, [Or, that which they have need of] as young bullocks, [Chald. Sons, or, children of oxen] and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings unto the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the Priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day, let there be no sailing.

10. That they may offer offerings of a pleasant smell [See Gen.8.on vers.21.] unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his children.

11. Moreover, command is given by me, (that) who so ever shall alter this word [That is, transgress this command of mine, or do in any wise contrary thereto. So in the following verse, item Dan.3.28. and 6. Vers.9, and 16.] a piece of timber shall be pulled (down) from his house, and set up, whereon he shall be hanged up: [Chald. Blotted out] and his house be made a dunghill for it. [so Dan.2.5. and 3.28.]

12. Now the God that hath caused his name to dwell there, throw down all kings and nations that shall stretch forth their hand, to alter (and) to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have given the command; let it be done speedily.

13. Then Tathnai the Deputy on that side of the River, Sthar-Boznai, and their company, did speedily so, according to that which king Darius had sent. [That is, according to the command which the king had sent.]

14. And the Eldest of the Jews builded, and went on prosperously, through the Prophecy of Haggai the Prophet, and Zacharia the son of Iddo: And they built and finished it, according to the command of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cores, [See above chap.1.1. and 5.13. and in this chapter vers.3, etc. And Darius, [see above cha.4.on vers.24.] and Arthahsasta the king of Persia [those that by Darius, do understand the son of Hystaspis, hold this man to be Artaxerxes-Longimanus; that is, the Long-handed Artaxerxes: But those that hold Darius, mentioned in the text, to be Darius Nothus, understand by this Arthahsasta Artaxerxes Mnemo; that is, the mindful, or, remembering Artaxerxes, who reigned a long time with his Father, and after that yet a long time alone, so that some do attribute unto him in all, threescore and two years.]

15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, [Agreeing for the greatest part with February, and likewise with a part of March] that was the sixth year of the reign of king Darius.

16. And the children of Israel, the Priests, the Levites, and the rest of this house of God with joy. [Compare Exod.40. Numb.7.on vers.16. 1 Kings 8:63. Nehem.12.on vers.27.]

17. And they offered toward the dedication of this house of God, an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and twelve he-goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

18. And they set the Priests in their distinctions, and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God [That is, every one in his order, rank, course, and in his ministery or service] that is at Jerusalem, according to the prescript of the book of Moseh. [see Numb.3.6,7, etc. Item vers.32. and chap.8.9, etc. Understand withal, that they renewed the ordinance made by David, 1 Chron.24.3,4,5, etc.]

19. Also the children of the captivity kept the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the first month. [Called Abib. See Exod.12.2,6. And 13.4,5.]

20. For the Priests and the Levites had cleansed themselves as one (man), they were clean: and they slew the Passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the Priests, and for themselves. [Compare 2 Chron.29.24,34. And 30.17. and 35.3,6.]

21. SO the children of Israel which were come again out of the captivity, together with all (or every one) that had separated himself unto them from the uncleanness of the heathen of the land, [according to the law, Ex.12.48. and Num.9.14.] to seek the LORD the God of Israel, [that is in this place, to serve him with the heart, and to walk in his ways] did eat. [to wit, the Passover.]

22. And they kept the feast of uncleavened bread-(loaves) seven days with joy: For the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assur [He was properly King of Persia, but Assyria and Chaldea (which in times past had plagued Israel) were now under his dominion. Perhaps he also kept his court at this time in Assyria: For some do write that Darius having divided the government with his son, kept Assyria also unto himself] unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God , the God of Israel. [that is, to make them courageous and cheerful to go about this work. Compare above chap.1.6.]