E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 6:19
And, &c. Here recommences the Hebrew language. See note on Ezra 4:8 . kept the passover. One of the ten so recorded. See note on Exodus 12:28 . read more
And, &c. Here recommences the Hebrew language. See note on Ezra 4:8 . kept the passover. One of the ten so recorded. See note on Exodus 12:28 . read more
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL KEPT THE PASSOVER"And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the children of Israel that were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves from the filthiness of the nations of... read more
The Jews’ celebration 6:16-22Compared with the dedication of the first temple, this one was very modest. Solomon had offered more than 200 times as many animals. The Jews offered one sin offering, which involved slaying a goat, for each of the 12 tribes (Ezra 6:17). The reference to the number of Israel’s tribes being 12 shows that none of the tribes were "lost" during the captivity, as some modern cults claim. The people still considered the nation to be a confederation of 12 tribes, and they... read more
Completion and Dedication of the TempleThis chapter relates the authorisation of the construction of the Temple, and the completion of the work.2. Achmetha] i.e. Ecbatana in Media.3. Threescore cubits, etc.] The dimensions here given, which considerably exceed those of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:2), perhaps marked the limits beyond which the builders were not to go. 4. With three rows, etc.] cp. 1 Kings 6:36, which suggests that these materials were used in the construction of the Court, not... read more
(16-22) The dedication of the second Temple. read more
(19) Upon the fourteenth day of the first month.—Recording the special celebration of the Passover—after the precedent of Hezekiah and Josiah—Ezra returns to the Hebrew language. The occasion was, as it were, a renewal of the redemption from Egypt, and another wilderness had been passed. read more
THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLEEzra 6:6-22THE chronicler’s version of the edict in which Darius replies to the application of the Satrap Tattenai is so very friendly to the Jews that questions have been raised as to its genuineness. We cannot but perceive that the language has been modified in its transition from the Persian terra-cotta cylinder to the roll of the Hebrew chronicler, because the Great King could not have spoken of the religion of Israel in the absolute phrases recorded in the Book... read more
CHAPTER 6 1. The search of the king and the result (Ezra 6:1-5 ) 2. The command of Darius (Ezra 6:6-12 ) 3. The king’s command obeyed (Ezra 6:13 ) 4. The house finished (Ezra 6:14-15 ) 5. The dedication of the house (Ezra 6:16-18 ) 6. The feast of Passover and unleavened bread (Ezra 6:19-22 ) Ezra 6:1-5 . King Darius had a search made in the place where the records of the empire were kept, “in the house of the rolls.” The word “rolls” is “books” and these consisted of clay tablets... read more
Having received the letter from Tattenai, Darius ordered that a search be made in the archives where the treasures were stored in Babylon.There is no doubt that God led the searchers to Achmetha in the province of Media, to find a scroll that recorded the decree of Cyrus concerning the rebuilding of the temple.The words of the decree are quoted in verses 3-5, confirming what has been told us in Ezra 1:1-11.Verses 6-12 record the words of Darius in reply to Tattenai. Neither this governor nor... read more
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:1-22
The temple completed (5:1-6:22)Having given examples of anti-Jewish activity from another era, the writer returns to the time of Zerubbabel. Because of opposition from their enemies, the Jews did no work on the temple for about sixteen years. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to stir up the people to get them working on the building once more (5:1-2).Some local people must have objected to the renewed activity, and soon a group of officials arrived at the scene to question the... read more