1Zerubbabel and Jeshua, incited by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, begin again to build in the reign of Darius. 3Tatnai and Shethar-boznai are not able to prevent them from proceeding. 6The copy of their letter to Darius concerning the building.
1THENa the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the 1son of Iddo, 2prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the 3name of the God of Israel, 4even unto them.
a Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1.
1 That is, his son’s son, or grandchild; for he was a son of Berechiah, who was the son of Iddo, Zech. 1:1.
2 In the second year of king Darius. See Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1.
3 That is, by the command.
4 Commanding them to resume the building of the temple.
2Then rose up 5Zerubbabel 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 6helping them.
5 Who had carried up the captives out of Babel. See Ezra 2:2; 3:2; 4:2, 3.
6 Strengthening the zealous by the Word of the Lord, and reproving the slow and backward ones. See Haggai 1; 2; Zech. 1:16, etc.
3¶At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and 7Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
7 Chald. Schethar-Boznai.
4Then said we unto them 8after this manner, What are the 9names of the men that make this building?
8 As is related in verse 11, etc.
9 Because they had likewise asked this question, verse 10. Others take these words thus: Moreover they said: what are the names of the men that have built this building?
5But the 10eye 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.
10 That is, God watched over them, and took care of them.
6¶The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor 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:
7They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with 11great stones, and 12timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
11 Chald. stone of turning or rolling, that is, which could not be carried, but had to be turned over with instruments. Other, marble stone.
12 Intimating that the work was already brought to that stage that the beams and rafters were laid for ceilings.
9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
10We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a 13great king of Israel builded and set up.
13 Solomon.
12But afterb that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
b 2 Chron. 36:16, 17, etc.
13Butc in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
c 2 Chron. 36:22, etc.; Ezra 1; etc.
14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were deliveredd unto one, whose name was 14Sheshbazzar, whom 15he had made governor;
d Ezra 1:8.
14 See Ezra 1 on verse 8.
15 Cyrus or Kores.
15And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and 16laid the foundation of the house of God 17which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
16 Or, he laid. Chald. he gave.
17 Or, which is at Jerusalem. Or, Who dwelleth at Jerusalem.
17Now therefore, if it seem good 18to the king, let there be search made in the 19king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, 20and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
18 Chald. be good with the king; that is, if the king finds it good, or if it be acceptable to him.
19 That is, in the king’s chancery, or court of records, where all writings, worthy to be remembered and recorded, were laid up and kept. Also Ezra 6:1.
20 Or, let the king send his pleasure to us concerning hereof. Chald. let the king send his pleasure (that is, let the king send his pleasure) to us concerning hereof.