Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Ezra Chapter 4
Overview
Ezr 4:1, The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, endeavour to hinder it; Ezr 4:7, Their letter to Artaxerxes; Ezr 4:17, The answer and decree of Artaxerxes; Ezr 4:23, The building is hindered.
the adversaries: These were the Samaritans, the descendants of the various nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants captive. Ezr 7:9; Kg1 5:4, Kg1 5:5; Ch1 22:9, Ch1 22:10; Neh 4:1-11; Dan 9:25; Co1 16:9
children of the captivity: Heb. sons of the transportation, Ezr 1:11 *marg. Ezr 6:16, Ezr 6:19, Ezr 6:20, Ezr 10:7, Ezr 10:16; Dan 5:13
Zerubbabel: Ezr 1:5, Ezr 2:2, Ezr 3:2, Ezr 3:12
Let us: Pro 26:23-26; Co2 11:13-15; Gal 2:4; Ti2 3:8; Pe2 2:1, Pe2 2:2
we do: Kg2 17:24, Kg2 17:27-33, Kg2 17:41
Esarhaddon: Ezr 4:10, Asnappar, Kg2 19:37
Assur: Gen 10:11; Psa 73:8; Isa 37:37, Assyria, Hos 14:3, Asshur
Ye have nothing: Neh 2:20; Joh 4:22, Joh 4:23; Act 8:21; Rom 9:4, Rom 9:5; Jo3 1:9, Jo3 1:10
king Cyrus: Ezr 1:1-3, Ezr 6:3-5; Ch2 36:22, Ch2 36:23; Isa 44:28, Isa 45:1, Isa 45:4; Mat 10:16
weakened: Ezr 3:3; Neh 6:9; Isa 35:3, Isa 35:4; Jer 38:4
troubled: Neh 4:7, Neh 4:8, Neh 4:11
hired: Psa 2:1, Psa 2:2; Nah 1:11; Acts 24:1-27
Darius: Ezr 4:24, Ezr 5:5-17, 6:1-18
am 3475, bc 529
Ahasuerus: Heb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.
wrote: Mat 27:37; Act 24:5-9, Act 24:13, Act 25:7; Rev 12:10
am 3482, bc 522
Artaxerxes: This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi, who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses, for seven months, feigning himself to be Smerdis, brother of Cambyses. he is called Oropoestus by Justin, Smerdis by Herodotus, Mardus by AEschylus, and Sphendatates by Ctesias.
Bishlam: or, in peace
companions: Heb. societies, Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:17, Ezr 5:6
the Syrian tongue: That is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the Ezr 4:8 of this chapter, to Ezr 7:27, the original is not Hebrew, but Chaldee, in those parts which consist of letters, decrees, etc., originally written in that language. Kg2 18:26; Isa 36:11; Dan 2:4
scribe: or, secretary, Ezr 4:9; Sa2 8:17, Sa2 20:25; Kg2 18:18
companions: Chal, societies
the Dinaites: Kg2 17:24, Kg2 17:30, Kg2 17:31
Apharsathchites: Ezr 5:6, Ezr 6:6, Apharsachites
Susanchites: Est 1:2, Est 2:3; Dan 8:2
Elamites: Gen 10:22; Isa 21:2; Jer 25:25, Jer 49:34; Eze 32:24; Act 2:9
And the rest: Ezr 4:1; 2Kings 17:24-41
noble Asnapper: Rom 13:7
at such a time: Chal, Cheeneth, Ezr 4:11, Ezr 4:17, Ezr 7:12
rebellious: Ezr 4:15, Ezr 4:19; Kg2 18:20, Kg2 24:1; Ch2 36:13; Jer 52:3; Eze 17:12-21; Luk 23:2-5; Act 24:5; Th1 5:22; Pe1 2:13-15
bad city: Psa 48:1, Psa 48:2; Isa 1:21-23; Luk 13:34
set up: or, finished, Neh 1:3; Dan 9:25
joined: Chal, sewed together
if this city: Neh 5:4; Psa 52:2, Psa 119:69
pay: Chal, give
toll: Ezr 7:24; Mat 9:9, Mat 17:25; Rom 13:6, Rom 13:7
revenue: or, strength
have maintenance: etc. Chal, are salted with the salt of the palace, Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life (Ecclus. 39:26 or verse 31); hence, by a very natural figure, salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed, says Mr. Parkhurst, that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies, "I eat such a one's salt," meaning, I am fed by him. Salt was also, as it still is, among eastern nations, a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence, to eat a man's salt, is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.
and it was: Eze 33:31; Joh 12:5, Joh 12:6, Joh 19:12-15
made: within the same, Chal, in the midst thereof
this city: Ezr 4:12; Neh 2:19, Neh 6:6; Est 3:5-8; Dan 6:4-13; Act 17:6, Act 17:7
moved: Chal
for which: Kg2 24:20, Kg2 25:1, Kg2 25:4; Jer. 52:3-34
thou shalt have: Ezr 4:20; Sa2 8:3; Kg1 4:24
companions: Chal, societies, Ezr 4:7, Ezr 4:9
Peace: Ezr 5:7, Ezr 7:12; Luk 10:5; Act 23:26; Rom 1:7
at such a time: Ezr 4:10, Ezr 4:11
I commanded: Chal, by me a decree is set
search: Ezr 4:15, Ezr 5:17, Ezr 6:1, Ezr 6:2; Deu 13:14; Pro 25:2
and it is found: Kg2 18:7, Kg2 24:20; Eze 17:13-19
made insurrection: Chal, lifted up itself
mighty kings: Kg1 4:21, Kg1 4:24; Ch1 18:3; Psa 72:8
beyond: Ezr 4:16; Gen 15:18; Jos 1:3, Jos 1:4
toll: Ch1 18:6, Ch1 18:13, Ch1 19:19; Ch2 9:14, Ch2 9:23, Ch2 9:24, Ch2 17:11, Ch2 26:7, Ch2 26:8
Give ye: etc. Chal, Make a decree, Ezr 4:19
why should: Ezr 4:13; Est 3:8, Est 3:9, Est 7:3, Est 7:4
Rehum: Ezr 4:8, Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:17
they went up: Pro 4:16; Mic 2:1; Rom 3:15
force: Chal, arm
So: Neh 6:3, Neh 6:9; Job 20:5; Th1 2:18
Darius: This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis. he ascended the throne of Persia, am 3483, bc 521, and reigned 36 years. Ezr 5:5, Ezr 6:1; Hag 1:15