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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

We have here, I. The decree of Cyrus for the building of the temple repeated. To this the Samaritans referred because the Jews pleaded it, and perhaps hoped it would not be found, and then their plea would be over-ruled and a stop put to their work. Search was ordered to be made for it among the records; for, it seems, the tribes had not taken care to provide themselves with an authentic copy of it, which might have stood them in good stead, but they must appeal to the original. It was looked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:11

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word ,.... Act contrary to this command, will not obey it, but as much as in him lies changes and revokes it: let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him, be hanged thereon ; that is, let a beam be taken from it, and a gallows or gibbet made of it, and hang him on it: and let his house be made a dunghill for this ; be pulled down, and never rebuilt more; see Gill on Daniel 2:2 ; see Gill on Daniel... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 6:11

Let timber be pulled down - Whether this refers to the punishment of hanging and gibbeting of whipping at a post, or of empaling, is not quite clear. In China they tie culprits to posts; and the executioner cuts them open while alive, takes out their bowels, etc. Empaling, thrusting a sharp stake through the body till it comes out at the side of the neck, or hanging, seems to be intended here. Let his house be made a dunghill - Let it be reduced to ruins, and never... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

The application made by the satrap of Syria to Darius received his immediate attention. A search was instituted—in the first instance, at Babylon, but afterwards at the other capitals also; and in Ecbatana, the Median metropolis, where the Persian kings always resided during a portion of the year, a copy of the original decree was found, which is considerably fuller and more definite, though in some respects covering less ground, than the "proclamation'' with which Ezra opens his history.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

Opposition silenced. The letter of Tatnai and his companions to Darius, the contents of which are given us in Ezra 5:7-17 , seems to have led to some disappointment at first speaking, i.e; from the point of view of the Jews. The search recommended, it is true, was duly decreed and instituted; and that, so far as appears, without any delay or reluctance. But the important document sought for was not forthcoming immediately. On the contrary, in that "house of the rolls, where the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

Some useful things. I. THE UTILITY OF HISTORY . "And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written" ( Ezra 6:2 ). 1. Its permanence. The "roll" contained the records of past ages. The memory of man could not retain these events. History preserves them. It would be a pity for the nation and Church to let die the events that have made them what they are; history gives permanence and solemnity to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:6-13

The decree of Darius. The full document containing the decree or decrees of Darius occupies the first thirteen verses of this chapter. The former portion of it is principally taken up with a recital of the decree of Cyrus, published seventeen years earlier. This has been considered under a distinct heading. The remaining portion of the document may be viewed as in three parts:— I. THE INSTRUCTION FOUNDED UPON THE DECREE OF CYRUS ( Ezra 6:6 , Ezra 6:7 ). 1. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:6-15

DECREE ISSUED BY DARIUS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE DECREE OF CYRUS . OBEDIENCE OF THE PERSIAN OFFICIALS , AND RAPID COMPLETION OF THE TEMPLE ( Ezra 6:6-15 ). The religious policy of Darius being directly opposed to that of his immediate predecessor, he would naturally reverse his decree with respect to the Jews ( Ezra 4:11-22 ). He would also be glad to show himself in accordance with the great founder of the empire, who was universally reverenced,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:11

Whoever shall alter this word . Rather, "this edict." To alter the terms of a royal decree would in any country be a heinous offence. In Persia, where the monarch was absolute, and where decrees were regarded as "altering not" ( Daniel 6:8 , Daniel 6:12 ), it was a crime of the deepest dye. Hence the severity of the punishment threatened. The punishment has been explained as crucifixion, impalement, and "whipping at a post;" but there seems to be no real doubt that crucifixion is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 6:11

Being set up, let him be hanged thereon - Rather, “let him be lifted up and crucified upon it.” Crucifixion was the most common form of capital punishment among the Persians. read more

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