Ezra 6

1 rolls. R.V., “archives.”

2. Achmetha. Achmetha was the chief city of Media. It was the summer residence of the Persian monarchs; being selected for that purpose to avoid the heat of the plain of the Tigris, where Susa, the seat of the winter palace, was situated (Neh. i. 1). It was called Ecbatana by the Greeks; and its site is now occupied by the city of Hamadan.

3 the height thereof, etc. Double the height of Solomon’s Temple, and three times the breadth (1 Kings vi. 2, 3).

9 the God of heaven. This decree of Darius seems to imply his conviction that the God whom the Jews worshipped was the true God: see especially ver. 12. Cp. i. 2. The ancient Persian religion was very far from sanctioning the gross idolatries of other nations.

11 be made a dunghill. As a mark of ignominy. For the same reason the Romans pulled down the houses of criminals.

14. Artxerxes. See note on ch. vii. 1. His name is introduced here, though the Temple was rebuilt before his reign, probably because he contributed to maintain and beautify it: see vii. 12-19.

15 the month Adar. The twelfth month of the sacred year (part of February and March).

16 kept the dedication . . . with joy. It is highly probable that Psa. cxlvi.-el. were composed on this occasion, or about this period.

17 twelve he goats, in sign of the re-constitution of Israel; although this was as yet incomplete: see note on ii. 70.

18 in the book of Moses. Moses had given laws respecting the ministry of the priests and Levites, and the celebration of God’s worship at the place which He should choose; but the courses of the priests and Levites were appointed by David.

21 and all such, etc. Descendants of the Jews who were left in the land at the time of the captivity.

22 the king of Assyria. That is, the king of Persia, as Assyria now formed part of his dominions: see note on i. 1.