Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Josiah Destroys TdolcUry. 2 CHKONICLES XXXIV, XXXV. 3e Ke a Solemn Passsver.
cient laws and Institutions The Assyrian kings, who were now masters of the eountrj', might have lieen displeased at the liberties Josiah took beyond his own terriplaces, yet unto the Iiord thctr Ood only—Here It appears thiit the worship on high places, though It origiuat«d in a great measure from tlie practice of lieathenism, and too often led to it, did not necessarily imply Idolatry.
tories. But either they were not informed of his doings, or they did not trouble themselves about his religious proceedings, relating, as they would think, to the god of the land, especially as he did not attempt to seize upon any place or to disturb the allegiance of the people. [CalMET.]
2IJ-25. He Dies, and Amon Succeebs Him. 30, 31. Manaseli slept wltlt hlg fathers . . , Amon . . . began to reign—<see on 2 Kings 21. 17-26).
CHAPTER XXXIV.
8-18. He Repairs the Temple, in the eighteenth year of Ills reign ... he sent Shaphan—(see on 2 Kings
Ver. 1, 2. JosiAH's GooB Reign. 1. Josiah was eight years old—(see on 2 Kings 22. 1, 2). The testimony borne
19-33. And, causing the Law to be Rbab, Renews THE Covenant between God and the 1'eople. 19. when the king had Iteard the words of the law, &c.
to tlie undeviating steadfastness of his adherence to the cause of true religion places his character and reign in honov Tftble contrast with those of many of his royal predecessors.
(see on 2 Kings 22. 11-20 ; 23. 1-3).
a-7. He Dkstkots Idolatry. 3. In the elglith year of his reign—This was the sixteenth year of his age, and, as the kings of .Tudah were considered minors till they had completed their thirteenth year, it was three years
CHAPTER XXXV.
Ver. 1-19. Josiah Keeps a Solemn Passover. 1. Moreover Josiah kept a passover—(see on 2 Kings 23. 21- after he had attained majority. He had very early man-
23). The first nine verses give an account of the preparations made for the celebration of the solemn feast. The day appointed by the law was kept on this occasion (cf. ch. 30. 2, 13). The priests were ranged in their courses, and exhorted to be ready for their duties in the manner, that legal purity required (cf. ch. 29. 5). The Levites, the minifested the piety and excellent dispositions of his character. In tlie twelfth year of his reign, but the twentieth of his age, he began to take a lively interest in the purgation of his kingdom from all the monuments of idolatry which, in his father's short reign, had been erected; and, at a later period, his increasing zeal for securing the purity of Divine worship led him to superintend the work of demolition in various parts of his dominions. The course of the narrative in this passage is somewhat different from that followed in the book of Kings. For the historian, having made allusion to the early manifestation of Josiah's zeal, goes on with a full detail of all the measures this good king adopted for the extirpation of Idolatry, whereas the author of the book of Kings sets out with the cleansing of the temple, immediately previous to the celebration of the passover, and embraces that occasion isters or instructors of the people in all matters pertaining to the Divine worship, were commanded (ti. 3) to " put the holy ark in the house which Solomon did build." Their duty was to transport the ark from place to place according to circumstances. .Some think that it had been Ignominiously put away from the sanctuary by order of some idolatrous king, probably Manasseh, who set a carved image in the house of God (ch. 33. 7), or Amon; while others are of opinion that it had been temporarily removed by Josiah himself into some adjoining chamber, during the repairs on the temple. In replacing it, the Levites had evidently carried it upon their shoulders, deeming that still to be the duty which the law imposed on them. But Josiah reminded them of tlie change of circumstances, when, as the service of God was now performed in a fixed and permanent temple, tliey were not required to be bearers of the ark any longer, and, being released from the service, they should address themselves with the greater alacrity to the discharge of other functions. 4. prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses i. e., each course or division was to be composed of tliose who belonged to the same fathers' house, according to the writing of David and . . . Solomon. Their injunctions are recorded to give a general description of Josiah's policy for freeing the land from idolatrous pollution. The exact chronological order is not followed either in Kings or Chronicles. But
11 is clearly recorded in both that the abolition of idolatry began in the twelfth and was completed in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign. Notwithstanding Josiah's undoubted sincerity and zeal, and the people's apparent compliance with the king's orders, he could not extinguish a strongly-rooted attachment to idolatries introduced in the early part of Manasseli's reign. This latent predilection appears unmistakably developed in the subsequent reigns, and the Divine decree for the removal of Judah, as well as Israel, into captivity was Irrevocably passed. 4. the graves of tliem that had sacrificed unto them. He treated the graves themselves as guilty of the crimes of those who were lying in them. [Bbrtheau.] 5. lie burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars —a greater brand of infamy could not .have been put on
(ch. 8. 14; 1 Chronicles 23.; 24.; 25.; 28). 5, stand in the holy place—in the court of the priests, the place where the victims were killed. The people were admitted according to their families In groups or companies of several households at a time. When the first company entered the court (which consisted commonly of as many as it could well hold), the gates were shut and the oITering was made. The Levites stood in rows from the slaughtering-places to the altar, and handed the blood and fat from one to another of the officiating priests (cli.
idolatrous priests than the disinterment of their bones, and a gi'eater defilement could not have been done to the altars of Idolatry than the burning upon them the bones of those who had there officiated in their lifetime. 6. -with their mattocks—or "In their deserts"—so that the verse will stand thus: "And so did (viz., break the altars, and burn the bones of priests) he In the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, in their deserted suburbs." The reader Is apt to be surprised on finding that Josiah, whose hereditary possessions were confined to the kingdom of Judah, exercised as much authority among the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon, and others as far as Naphtali, as he did within his own dominions; and, therefore. It is necessary to observe that, after the destruction of Samaria, by Shalmaneser, the remnant that continued on the mountains of Israel maintained a close Intercourse with Judah, and loolced to the sovereigns of that kingdom as their natural protectors. Those kings acquired great Influence over them, which Josiah exercised in removing every vestige of idolatry from the land. He could not have done this without the acquiescence of the people in the propriety of this proceeding, conscious that this was conformable to their an-
30. 16-18). 6. So kill the passover, &c.—The design of the minute directions given here was to facilitate the distribution of the paschal lambs. These were to be eaten by the respective families according to their numljers (Exodus 12. 3). But multitudes of tlie people, especially those from Israel, having been reduced to poverty througli the Assyrian devastations, were to be provided witli the means of commemorating the passover; and, therefore, the king enjoined the Levites that when the paschal lambs were brought to them to be killed (7-9) they should take care to have everything put in so ordirly a train, that the lambs, after due presentation, miglit be easily delivered to the various families to be roasted and eaten by themselves apart. 7. Josiah gave to the people . . . lambs and kids—these were in all probability destined for the poor ; a lamb or a kid might be used nt convenience (Exodus 12. 5). and . . . bullocks—which were offered ii85
Josmh Keeps a Solemn Passover. 2 CHRONICLES XXXV. He is Slain at McfjiMo.
with the exception of a few from the kingdom of Israel, were confined to two tribes ; but it was the ardent devotion of the king and people, the disregard of purely traditional customs, and the unusually strict adherence, even In the smallest minutiee, to the forms of observance preafter the Iambs on each of the successive days of the feast. 8. Ills princes—They gave to tlie priests and Leviles ; as those of Hezekiah's'princes (ch. 30. 24). They were ecclesiastical princes, viz., Hilkiah the high priest
(ch. 3-1. 9), Zechariah, probably the second priest of tlie Eleazar (2 Kings 10. 18), and Jehiel of the Ithamar, line. And as the Levitical tribes were not yet sufficiently provided (v. 9), some of tlieir eminent brethren wlio liad been distinguished in Hezekiah's time (ch. 31. 13-1.5), gave a large additional contribution for tlie use of the Levites exclusively. 10. So the service was prepared, Ac.—All the necessary preparations having been completed, and the appointed time arrived for the passover, the solemnity was celebrated. One remarkable feature in the account is the prominent part tliat was taken by tlie Levites in the preparation of tlie sacrifices, viz., the killing find stripping of the skins, which were properly the peculiar duties of the priests; but as those functionaries were notable to overtake the extraordinary amount of work, and the Levites had been duly sanctified for the service, tliey were enlisted for tlie time in this priestly employment. At the passover in Hezekiah's time, the Levites officiated in tlie same departments of duty, the reason assigned for that deviation from tlie establislied rule being the unprepared state of many of the people scri bed in the book of the law, the discovery of an original copy of which had produced so great a sensation. Instead of "from the days of Samuel," the author of the book of Kings says, "from the days of the judges who judged Israel." The meaning is the same in both passages, for Samuel concluded the era of the judges, all Israel that were present—the great majority of tlie people of the northern kingdom were in exile, but some of the remaining inhabitants performed the Journey to Jerusalem on this occasion. 37,600 paschal lambs and kids were used, which, at ten to a company, would make 370,000 persons attending the feast. 19. In the eighteentli year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept—" It is said (.2 Kings 22. 3) that Josiah sent Sliaphan to Hilkiah in the eighth month of that year." If this statement rests upon an historical basis, all the events narrated here (from ch.
34. 8 to ch. 3.5. 19) must have happened in about the space of live months and a half. We should then have a proof that the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign was reckoned from the autumn (cf. ch. 29.3). "The eighth month" of the sacred year in the eighteenth year of his reign, would be the second month of his eighteenth year, an4 the first month of the new year would be the seventh niontli. [Bertheau.]
(cli. 30. 17). But on this occasion the whole people had been duly sanctified, and therefore the exceptional enlistment of the Levites' services must have been rendered unavoidably necessary from the multitudes engaged in celebrating the passover. IrJ. they removed the burnt offerings—Some of tlie small cattle being designed lor burnt ott'criiigs were put apart by themselves, that they miglit not be intermingled witli the paseliaf lambs, whicli were carefully selected according to certain rules, and intended to be sacramentally eaten; and the manner in wliich those burnt offerings were presented seems to have been the following: "All the subdivisions of the
His Death. 20. After all this, when Josiah liad prepared tine temple—lie most probably calculated that lie restoration of the Divine worship, with tlie revival )f vit.al religion in the land, would lead, according to ood's promise, and the uniform experience of the Hebrew people, to a period of settled peace and increased prosperity. His hopes were disappointed. The bright interval of tranquillity that followed his rc-establishnient of the true religion was brief. But it must l)e ob.servcil that this interruption did not proceed from any unli'ilhfulness in the Divine promise, but from the state into wliich the kingdom of Judali had brought itself by the national apostasy, which was drawing down upon it the long threatened but long deferred judgments of tiod. Neriio king of Egypt came ... to hglit against Carcliemlsh by Euplirates— Necho, son of I'samuielidifl'ereiit fathers' houses came one after another to the altar in solemn procession to bring to the priests the portions which had been cut off, and the priests laid these pieces upon tlie fire of the altar of burnt offering." 13. they roasted the passover according to the ordinance —(see Exodus 12. 7-9). This mode of preparation was prescribed by the law exclusively for the paschal lamb, the other offerings and thank offerings were cooked in pots, kettles and pans (1 Samuel 2. H). divided them speedily among the people—The haste was either owing to the multii Uicity of the priests' business, or because the heat and flavour of the viands would have been otherwise diminished. Hence it appears that the meal consisted not of the paschal lambs alone, but of tlie meat of the thank offerings—for part of the flesh fell to the portion of the offerer, who, being In this Instance, the king and the princes, were by them made over to the people, who were recommended to eat them the day they were offered, though not absolutely forbidden to do so on the next (Leviticus 7. 15-18). 14. afterwards they made . . . for themselves and for the priests—The Levites rendered this aid to the priests solely from their being so engrossed the entire day that they had no leisure to provide any refreshments for themselves. 15. And the singers, cus, succeeded to the throne of Egypt In the twentieth year of Josiah. He was a bold and enterprising king, who entered with all his heart into the struggle which the two great powers of Egypt and Assyria had long carried on for the political ascendency.
ICacli, jealous of the aggressive movements of its rival, was desirous to maintain Palestine as a trout ier barrier. After the overthrow of Israel, the kingdom of Jndah became in that respect doubly Important, and although the king and people had a strong bias for alliance with Egypt, yet from the time of Manasseh It had become a vassal of Assyria, and Josiah, true to his polltlcaJ no less than his religious engagements, thought himself bound to support the Interests of his Assyrian liege-lord. Hence, when "Neelio king of Egypt came up to fight against Carcliemlsh, Josiah went out against him." t'arcliemish, (.m the eastern side of the Eiii>hrates, was the key of Assyria on the west, and In going thither the king of Egypt would transport his troops by sea along the coast of I'alestine, nortliwai'ds. Josiah, as a faithful vassal, resolved to oppose Neclio's march across the northern parts of that country. They met In the "valley of Meglddo," i.e., the valley or plain of Esdraelon. The Egyptian king had come either by water or through the iilains of I'lilllstia, keeping constantly along the coast, round the north-west corner of Carmel, and so ^o the great jilalii of Meglddo. This was not only his direct way to the Euphrates, hut the only route fit for his chariots, whlh' thereby also he
&c., were in their place—While the priests and people were so much engaged, the choir were not idle. Tlicy had to sing certain i)salms, viz., 113. to 118. inclusive, once, twice, and even a third time, during the continuance of each company of offerers. As they could not leave their posts, therefore, for the singing was resumed as every fresli com|)any entered, the Levites prepared for them also; for the various bands relieved each otlu?r in funis, and while the •general choir were doing duty, a portion of the tuneful brethren, relieved for a time, purlooU of the viands that wtre brought them. 18. tliere was no passover lihe to lliat l<ept in Israel from the days of Samuel—One feature by which this passover was illstiugulshed was the liberality of .losiah. ISnt what distinguished It above all preceding solemnities was, not the Imposing grandeur of the ceremonies, nor the iiiiiiKMislty of the assembled concourse of worshijipers, for these, 286 lelt .luduli and Jerusah'iii <iulto t<t his right. In tliU valley, liowev<-r, the Egyptian army had iiiccssarily to strike across the country, and It was on that occasion that JoHiah could most conveniently Intercept his passago. To avoid the dil Uculty of pa.ssliig the river Klshou,
Jehoahaz is Deposed by Pharaoh. 2 CHRONICLES XXXVI. Jehoiakim is Carried Captive to Babylon,
Necho kept to the south of it, and must, therefore, have come past Megiddo. Joslah, iu following with his charleisure towards Rlblah, laid a tribute on the country, raised Elialtim (Jehoiakim) as his vassal to the tlirone, and on liis departure brotfght .Jehoahaz captive witli liira to Ribluh. The old expositors mostly assumed that Neclio, after the battle of Megiddo, marched directly against Careheniish, and then on Ills return came to Jerusalem. The impiobabilily, indeed the impossibility, of his doing so appears from this: that Carelieiuish was from four hundred to Ave hundred miles from Megiddo, so liiat witliin "three months" an army could not possibly make its way thither, conquer the fenced city of Careheniish, and then mai'ch back a still greater distance to Jerusalem, and take that city. [Keil.] an hundred talents of silver— £3418 l.5s. and a talent of gold— lots and horsemen from Jerusalem, had to marcli northwards along the highway tlirough Samaria by Kefr-Kiid
(the ancient Caper-Cotia) to Megiddo. [Van de Velde.]
iSl. Bnt lie sent ambassadors . . . Wliat Uave I to do wltli tliee, tliou king of Judahl—Not wisliing to spend time or strength in vain, Neclio informed tlie liing of Judah tiiat lie had no intention of molesting the Jews; that his expedition was directed solely against his old Assyrian enemy; and that he hatl undertaken it by an express commission from God. Commentators are not agreed whether it was really a Divine commission given him through Jeremiah, or whether he merely used the name of God as an authority that Josiah would not refuse to obey. As he could not know the truth of Necho's declaration, Josiali did not sin in opposing him, or, if lie sinned at all, it was a sin of ignorance. The engagement took place. Josiah was mortally wounded. 24. took lilm out of tliat chariot, and put htm in the second chariot—the carriage he had for ordinary use, and whicli would be more comfortable for the royal sufferer than the war-chariot. The death of this good king was the subject of universal and lasting regret. 25. Jeremiah lamented for Josiali, &c.—The elegy of the prophet has not reached us ; but It seems to have been long preserved among his countrymen, and chaunted on certain public occasions by the professional singers, who proljably got the dirges they sang from a collection of funeral odes composed on the death of good and great men of the nation. Tlie spot in the valley of Megiddo where the battle was fought was near the town of Hadad-rimmon
total amount of tribute, £88^3 15s. carried him (Jehoahaz) to Egypt—there he died (Jeremiali 22. 10-12).
5-8. Jehoiakim, Reigning III, i.s Cariiied into Babylon. 5. Jehoiakim . . . did that which was evil In the sight of the Lord i. e., he followed tlie course of his idolatrous predecessors, and tlie people, to a great extent, disinclined to tlie reforming policy of his fatlier, eagerly availed themselves of the vicious license whicii his lax administration restored. His cliaracter is portrayed with a masterly hand in the propliecy of Jeremiali (ch. 22. 13-19). As the deputy of tlie king of Egypt, he departed further than his predecessor from the {irinciples of Josiah's government; and, in trying to meet the insatiable cupidity of his master by grinding exactions from his subjects, he recklessly plunged into all evil. 6. Against him came up IVehuchadnezzar king of Babylon—This refers to the flrst expedition of Nebuchadnezzar against Palestine, in the lifetime of his father Nabopolassar, who, being old and infirm, adopted Ills son as joint-sovereign, and despatched him, with the command of his army, against the Egyptian invaders of his empire. Nebuchadnezzar defeated them at Carchemish, and drove them out of Asia, and reduced all the provinces west of the Euphrates to obedience—among the rest hence the lamentation for the death of Josiah was called "the lamentation of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo," which was so great and so long continued, that the lamentation of Hadad passed afterwards into a proverbial phra.se to express any great and extraordinary Horrow (Zechariab 12. 11).
tlie kingdom of Jehoiakim, who became a vassal of the Assyrian empire (2 Kings 24. 1). Jelioiakim at the end of three years threw off the yoke, being probably instigated to revolt by the solicitations of the king of Egypt, wlio planned a new expedition against Carchemisli. But he was completely vanquished by the Baliy Ionian king, who stripped him of ail his possessions between tlie Euphrates and the Nile (2 Kings 24. 7). Then marching against the Egyptian's ally in Judah, he took Jerusalem, carried away a portion of the sacred vessels of tlie temple, perhaps in lieu of the unpaid tribute, anil deposited them in the temple of his god, Belus, at Babylon (Daniel 1. 2; 5. 2), Though Jehoiakim had been talteii prisoner, and it was designed at first to transport him in cliains to Babylon, he was allowed to remain in iiis tributary kingdom. But having given not long after some new offence, Jerusalem was besieged by a host of Assj'rian dependants—iu a sally against whom Jehoiakim was killed (see on 2 Kings 24.2-7; also Jeremiah 22.18, 19; 3G. 30). 9. Jeholachin was eight years old—called also .Teconiah or Coniah (Jeremiah 22. 23)—" eight" should have been "eighteen," as appears from 2 Kings 24. S, and also from the
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Ver. 1-4. Jehoahaz, Succeeding, is Deposed by PhaKAOH. 1. the people of the land took Jclioahaz—Immediately after Josiah's overthrow and death, the people raised to the throne Shalluin (1 Chronicles 3. 15), afterwards called Jehoahaz, in preference to his elder brother Eliakim, from whom they expected little good. Jehoahaz
Is said (2 Kings 23. 30) to have received at Jerusalem tlie royal anointing—a ceremony not usually deemed necessary in circumstances of regular and undisputed succession. But, in tne case of Jehoahaz, it seems to have been resorted to in order to impart greater validity to the act of popular election, and, it may be, to render it less likely to be disturbed by Necho, who, like .all Egyptians, would associate the idea of sanctity with tlie regal anointing. He was the youngest son of Josiah, but the popular favourite, on account, probably, of his martial spirit (Ezekiel 19. 3) and determined opposition to the aggressive views of Egypt. At his accession the land was free from Idolatry; but this prince, instead of following the footsteps of his excellent father, adopted the criminal policy of his apostatising predecessors, and through his influence, directly or indirectly used. Idolatry rapidly increased (see on 2 Kings 23.32). 3. he reigned three months In Jerusalem — His possession of sovereign power was of but very brief duration; for Neclio determined to follow up the advantage he gained in Judah, and, deeming it expedient to have a king of his own nomination on the throne of that country, he deposed the popularly elected monarch, and placed his brother Eltakim or Jehoiakim on the throne, whom he anticlpatc<l to be a mere obsequious vassal. The course of events seems to have been this: on receiving intelligence after the battle of the accession of Jehoahaz to the throne, and perhaps also in consequence of the complaint whicli full development of his ungodly principles and habits (see Ezekiel 19. 5-7). His reign being of so short duration cannot be considered at variance with the prophetic denunciation against his father (Jeremiah 30. 30). But his appointment by the people gave umbrage to Nebuchadnezzar, who, " when the year was expired" (y. 10) i. e., In tlie spring, when campaigns usually began—came in person against Jerusalem, captured the city, and sent Jelioiachin In chains to Babylon, removing at tlie same time all the nobles and most skilful artisans, pillaging all the remaining treasures both of tlie temple .and palace (see on 2 Kings 24. 8-17).
11-21. Zedekiah's Reign. 11. Zedekiah—Nebuchadnezzar appointed him. His name, originally Mattaniah, was, according to the custom of Oriental conquerors, changed Into Zedekiah, and though the son of Josiah
Eliakim brought before him In regard to this matter, Necho set out with a part of his forces to Jerusalem, While the remainder of his troops pursued their way at
(1 Clironicles 3. 15; Jeremiah 1. 2, 3; 37. 1), he Is called (i'. 10) the brother of Jehoiachln, t. e., according to the latitude
Cyrus Orders the Building of the Temple, EZRA I, II, and the Return oj the People.
of Judah (see on 2 Kings 25.; Ezekiel 12.13; 17.16). 21. until tile land had enjoyed her sabbaths—The return of every seventh was to be held as a sabbatic j'ear, a season of rest to all classes, even to the land itself, which was to be fallow. This Divine institution, however, was neglected—how soon and how long, appears from the prophecy of Moses (Leviticus 26.34), and of Jeremiah in this passage (see also Marginal Reference), which told that for Divine retribution it was now to remain desolate seventy years. As the Assyrian conquerors usually colonized their conquered provinces, so remarkable a deviation in Palestine from their customary policy must be ascribed to the overruling providence of God.
of Hebrew style in words expressing affinitj', his relative or kinsman (see on 2 Kings 24. 18; 2ii. 1-21). 13. wlio liad made him swear—Zedekiah received his crown on the express condition of taking a solemn oath of fealty to the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 17. 13), so that his revolt by joining in a league with Pharaoh-hophra, king of Egypt, involved the crime of perjury. Hisown pride and obdurate impiety, the incurable idolatry of the nation, and their reckless disregard of prophetic warnings, brought down on his already sadly reduced kingdom the long threatened judgments of God. Nebuchadnezzar, the executioner of the Divine vengeance, commenced a third siege of Jerusalem, which, after holding out for a year and a
22, 23. Cykus' Pkoclamation. aa. the Iiord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus—(See on Ezra 1. 1-3.)
half, was taken in the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah, resulting in the burning of the temple, with, most probably, the ark, and in the overthrow of the kingdom
EZRA.
CHAPTER I.
great liberality In aiding and prcnnotlng the views of the emigrants.
Ver. 1-6. Proclamation of Cyrus for Building the Temple. 1. In the first year of Cyi-us king of Persia— The Persian empire, including Persia, Media, Baby-
7-11. Cyrus Restores the Vessels. 7. Cyrus . . . brought forth the vessels of the house of the £.ard though it is said (2 Kings 24. 13) that these were cut in pieces, that would not be done to the large and magnificent vases, and, if they had been divided, the parts could be reunited. But it may be doubted whether the Hebrew word rendered cut in pieces, does not signify merely cut lonia, and Chaldea, with many smaller dependencies, was founded by Cyrus, b. c. 536. [Hales.] tliat the word of tixe Liortl by the month of Jeremiah miglit be fulfilled—(See Jeremiah 2.5. 12; 29. 10.) Tliis reference is a parenthetic statement of the historian, and did not form part of the proclamation, a. Tlie Lord God of lieaven Iiath given me all the kingdoms of the earth — though this is in the Oriental style of hyperbole (see also Daniel 1. 1), it was literally true that the Persian empire was the greatest ruling power in the world at that time, he hath cliarged me to build him an house at .Torusalem—The phraseology of this proclamation, Independently of tlie express testimony of Josephus, altbrds indisputable evidence tliat Cyrus had seen, probably through mi'ans of Daniel, his venerable prime minister and favourite, those prophecies in which, 200 years before he was born, his name, liis victorious career, and the Important services he should render to the Jews were distinctly foretold (Isaiah 44. 28 ; 46. 1^). The existence of j)redicti()iis so remarkable led him to acknowledge that all his kingdoms were gifts bestowed on him by "the Lord God of heaven," and prompted him to fulfil the dul.v which had been laid upon him long before his birth. This was the source and origin of the great favour he showed to the Jews. The proclamation, though Issued 'in the first .year of Cyrus," did not take effect till the year following. 3. Who is there among you of all his people—the purport of the edict was to grant full permission to those Jewish exiles, in every part of his kingdom, who chose, to return to their own countr.y, as well as t,o recommend those of their countrymen who remained to aid the jjoor and feeble on their way, and contribute liberally towards the ri;l)uilding of the temple. 5, 6. Then rose up tllie clilef of tlie fatliers, &c.—The paternal and ecchsiastical chiefs of the later captivity, those of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with some also from other tribes (1 Chronicles 9. 3), who retained their attaclunent to the pure worship of God, naturally took the lead In this movement, and their example was followed by all whose piety and patriotism were strong enough to brave the various discouragements attending the enterprise. They w(^ro liberally assisted by multitudes of their captive countrymen, who, born in Babylonia, or comfortably establislK'd In it by family connections or thS possession of property, chose to remain. It seems that their Assyrian fritjnds and neighbours, too, either from a favourable disposition toward the Jewish faith, or from Imitaoff, i. e., from further use in the temple. 11. All tl»e vessels of gold and of silver were five tikousand and four hundred—The vessels here specified amount only to the number of 2499. Hence it is probable that the larger vases only are mentioned, while the Inventory of the whole, including great and small, came to the gross sum stated in the text. Sheshbazzar, tlie prince of Judali i.e., Zerubbabel, son of Salathiel (cf. ch. 3. 8; 5.16). He was born in Babylon, and called by his family Zerubb.ibel, t. e., stranger or exile in Babylon. Sheshba/.zar, signifying " flre-worshipper," was the name given him at court, as other names were given to Daniel and his friends. He was recognized among the exiles as hereditary prince of Judah. them of the captivity tliat were brought up f^-om Babylon to Jerusalem—all the Jewish exiles did not embrace the privilege wlilch the Persian king granted them. The great proportion, born In Babylon, preferred continuing in their comfortable homes to undertaking a distant, expensive, and hazardous Journey to a desolate land. Nor did the returning exiles all go at once. The first band went with Zerubbabel, others afterwards with Ezra, and a large number with Nehomlah at a still later period.
CHAPTER II.
Ver. 1-70. NuMnEU ok the People that Returned.
1. children of the province i.e., Judea (ch. 5. 8), so called Rs being now reduced from an Illustrious, independent, and powerful kingdom to an obscure, servile, tributary province of the Persian empire. This name Is applied by the sacred historian to Intimate that the Jewish exiles, though now released from captivity and allowed to return Into their own land, were still the subjects of Cyrus, Inhabiting a province dependent upon Persia, came again unto Jerusnlcm and Judah, every one unto his city—either the city that had been ocnipied by his ancestors, or, as most parts of Judea were tnen either desolate or possessed by others, the city that was rebuilt and allotted to him now. !i. Which cninr with Zernl»- babel—he was the chief or leader of the first bainl of returning exiles. The names of other infiuentlal persons who were associated In the conducting of the caravans are also mentioned, being extracted probably from t*ae Pertion of the court policy, displayed hearty gooU-wlU and