Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezra 5

1 THen the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo , prophecied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel , even to them.

i. e. Iddo's Grand-child; for he was the son of Barachiah.

Commanding them from God to return to the work of building the Temple, with promise of his favour and assistance.

Marginal references: Hag. 1. 1.▪; Zech. 1. 1.

2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them .

Encouraging the People to work by their presence, and assurance of success.

3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governour on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai , and their companions, and said thus unto them, who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

Not Rehum and Shimshai, &c. who were either dead, or removed from their O[illegible: 1+ letters]ices by the new Emperour Darius, as is very usual.

4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?

Either 1. We Tatnai and Shethar-boznai. And so this is an additional and more express enquiry concerning the names of the Builders. And this sense is favoured by comparing v. 9, 10. where the same questions here severally made, v. 3, & 4. are in like manner distinguished. And so the sacred Writer speaks this in their Person. Such variation of Persons being frequent in the Hebrew Language, as the learned know. Or 2. We Jews; and so the Translation must be a little varied, and the words read without an Interrogation thus, Then we told them accordingly, (i. e. according to what they asked) what were the names of the men that made this building, i. e. who were the chief undertakers and encouragers of this work: For although the Hebrew particle, mah, rendred, what, seems always to be used interrogatively, yet the Chaldee particle, man, here rendred what, is used otherwise, as is manifest from Dan. 4. 17.

Marginal references: Ver. 10.; Chal. that build this building.

5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease , till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

Because God over-ruled their Hearts and Hands, that they did not hinder them by force, as they could have done.

6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governour on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites , which were on this side the river , sent unto Darius the king.

A People so called, sent hither as a Colony. As for the other people mentioned chap. 4. 9. they seem to have had a greater Power with Rehum and Shimshai than with these new Officers, who made choice of other companions.

Whereby they are distinguished from those of their Brethren, who yet continued in their native Countrey beyond the River, and were not transplanted hither.

8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God , which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

Whom the Jews account the great God, the God of Gods, esteeming all others to be but little and false gods.

Marginal references: Chal. stones of rolling.

16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now , hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.

Allowing for some interruptions.