Bible Commentaries

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 Ezra 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.

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.

Who is there . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

build = rebuild.

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.

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.

their hands = them. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for themselves.

which Nebuchadnezzar had brought. Compare 2 Kings 24:13; Ezra 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.

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.