Ezra 5

Ezra 5:1

Addo was grand-father of the prophet, whose writings are extant. (Calmet) — Both prophesied in the second year of Darius. (Menochius)

Ezra 5:2

Them. Aggeus had rebuked the people for building houses for themselves, while they neglected the temple. The work was hereupon resumed without any fresh order from the king; as the edicts of the usurper, Oropastes, were considered as null, and the Jews only answer the governor, that they had been authorized by Cyrus, ver. 13, 17. Josephus, and 3 Esdras iii., and iv. 47., assert that Darius had given leave. (Calmet) (Menochius)

Ezra 5:3

River, over all Syria, &c. This man had not been bribed, but acted with great moderation, and in compliance with his duty. (Calmet) — Counsel. Chaldean, “order….to make up this wall.”

Ezra 5:4

In. Septuagint, “Then I (or they; Greek: eipon. The Syriac and Arabic declare for the latter) said thus to them: What,” &c. — We gave. Chaldean, “what are the names?” (Haydock) — It seems Thathanai asked this question, ver. 10. The Jews might give in the names of Zorobabel, Josue, Aggeus, &c. (Calmet)

Ezra 5:5

Ancients. Septuagint, “captivity of Juda.” (Haydock) — Divine Providence favoured the undertaking. (Delrio adag. 216.) (Menochius) (Psalm xxxii. 18.) — His eye sometimes threatens ruin, Amos ix. 8. (Calmet) — God did both on this occasion. (Worthington) — Hinder. Chaldean, “cause them to leave off, till the matter came to Darius, (Haydock) and his decision was brought back;” (Calmet) or Protestants, “and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.” Septuagint, “and they did not molest them, till the sentence should be brought to (or from) Darius; and then it (word) was sent to the tax-gatherer, concerning this affair. "

Ezra 5:8

Unpolished. Protestants, “great.” (Haydock) — Hebrew, “to be rolled.” See Vitruv. x. 6. Septuagint, “choice stones.” Kimchi, &c., “marble.” (Calmet) — 3 Esdras, “polished and precious stones.” (Haydock) — Yet the Vulgate seems more conformable to chap. vi. 4., and Aggeus ii. 2. (Menochius) (Ribera) — Walls, every fourth course, 3 Kings vi. 36. (Calmet)

Ezra 5:13

Built. It did not appear that this edict had been revoked; (Calmet) nor could it be changed, if it had been passed by the advice of the Lord. (Haydock)

Ezra 5:14

Governor. Septuagint, “over the treasury.”

Ezra 5:16

In building, being pretty far advanced, though for some time past it had been at a stand. (Haydock) — It is not probable that Zorobabel said this, but the author of the letter added it, as he supposed the Jews continued to do some little. (Calmet) — He desired to favour their cause, yet so as not to irritate the Samaritans. (Menochius)

Ezra 5:17

Library. Septuagint, “treasury-house.” Arabic, “for the archives.” It is called “the house of books,” chap. vi. 1. (Calmet)

Ezra 5:24

CHAPTER V.