Library. Septuagint, "treasury-house." Arabic, "for the archives." It is called "the house of books," chap. vi. 1. (Calmet) CHAPTER V. Library. Protestants, "house of the rolls, where the treasures were," &c. --- Babylon. In the city, the search was fruitless: (Vatable) but in the kingdom, the record was discovered. (Menochius) Ecbatana. Chaldean achmetha, signifies "a jug, or chest." (Calmet) --- "They found in the chest of the palace, under the inscription of Media." (Munster) (Pagnin) --- "And a roll was found in the city, in a chest, and this memorial was written in it." (Septuagint) Protestants style the place, "Achmetha." (Haydock) --- Arabic, "Athana." Syriac, "Ahmathane." The memoirs of Cyrus had probably been conveyed to Ecbatana, which was built by Dejoces, the first king of the Medes, and greatly enlarged by his successor, Phraortes. (Calmet) --- Province. Media now only formed a province of the empire. (Tirinus) And....foundations is not found in Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic, but it is in Chaldean. The temple was thus of larger dimensions than that of Solomon, which was only 30 cubits high, and 20 broad inside, 3 Kings vi. 2. The Rabbins assign 100 for each, (Tr. Middot. iv. 6.) speaking perhaps of the temple rebuilt by Herod, with still greater magnificence. Josephus allows 100 in height, and 60 in breadth. But the Scripture only speaks of 54 cubits breadeth, and 99 in length including the adjoining edifices. (Calmet) --- Breadth, from the front to the end of the holy of holies, which we should call the length. (Tirinus) --- This temple was lower than Solomon's by one half, (2 Paralipomenon iii. 4.; Menochius) unless those 120 cubits refer only to a tower. (Haydock) Unpolished, to correspond with the polished stones and cedar employed by Solomon, 3 Kings vi. 36. (Menochius) --- Protestants, "great stones." See chap. v. 8. --- Charges. It appears that the Jews furnished money and meat to pay for the wood, chap. i. 4., and iii. 7. Some annual sum might be assigned by Cyrus, either for the building, or for the daily holocausts. (Calmet) Placed formerly, before the destruction of the temple. Protestants, "and place them in the house of God." Hindered. Thus Darius trod in the footsteps, or perhaps exceeded the liberality of Cyrus. (Haydock) Complaint. Protestants, "without fail," (Haydock) or "delay." (Montanus) (Calmet) Nailed. Protestants, "hanged." Septuagint, "covered with wounds, or fastened on it." (Haydock) --- Some think that the criminal was to be scourged. (De Dieu) --- "Let him be hanged on the wood, which shall stand upright, after his house shall have been demolished." (Vatable) --- Such was the custom of the Persians. (Grotius) --- Aman perished on the gallows, which he had erected in his own house for Mardocheus, Esther vii. 9. --- Confiscated. Protestants, "be made a dunghill for this." (Haydock) (Syriac, &c.) --- We find some examples of such a treatment, 4 Kings x. 27., and Daniel iii. 5., and ix. 6. The effects of those who were condemned to die, in Persia, were generally confiscated, Esther iii. 13., and viii. 11., and ix. 14. Artaxerxes, one of the seven who overturned the power of the magi; (Usher, the year of the world 3483) or rather the king of Persia, who lived some time after this, and was very favourable to the Jews. He sent Esdras (the year of the world 3537) and Nehemias (the year of the world 3550) with great powers into the country. (Calmet) Adar, corresponding with our February and March. (Menochius) --- In the latter month they celebrated the Passover, ver. 19. --- Darius. Hence twenty years had elapsed from the first foundation. They might continue to embellish the temple other twenty-seven years, as the Jews assert; (John ii. 20,) unless they speak of the repairs made by Herod, (Baronius; Tirinus) or exaggerate, (Grotius) being under a mistake. (Salien, the year of the world 3537.) CHAPTER VI. Goats, which had not left off sucking. (Menochius) (Numbers vii. 87.) --- Israel. The Samaritan Chronicles assert that the tribes returned, as the prophets had foretold, and the sacred history seems to suppose: (Calmet) which may be true of many, (Haydock) though the greatest part remained in captivity. (Calmet) Moses. (Numbers iii. 8.) David had perfected the plan, 1 Paralipomenon xxiii., &c. (Haydock) And. Here the author resumes the Hebrew language. (Calmet) --- Captivity, from which they were released, ver. 17. (Haydock) One man, with zeal and unanimity; so that a second Phase was not to be celebrated, 2 Paralipomenon xxx. 3. To them, becoming proselytes, and receiving circumcision, Exodus xii. 48. Assyria. The successors of Cyrus now ruled over those countries, (Calmet) which had belonged to the most potent Assyrian and Chaldean monarchs; and therefore the titles are given to them indiscriminately. (Tirinus) Things, sixty-eight years after the journey of Zorobabel. (Calmet) --- Salien adds ten years more. (Haydock) --- Artaxerxes Longimanus. (Menochius) (Tirinus) --- Son, or great grandson of Saraias, who had been slain 121 years. Esdras was still living, in the days of Nehemias. Many persons are omitted in this genealogy. The immediate descendants of Azarias may be found, 1 Paralipomenon vi. Similarity of names has occasioned many mistakes. 3 Esdras viii. reckons only eleven persons between Aaron and Esdras; and 4 Esdras i. has eighteen; whereas here we behold sixteen generations, and [in] 1 Paralipomenon, twenty-two. (Calmet) Beginning of the Jewish republic. Went up, a second time, 2 Esdras xii. 1. (Worthington) --- Ready. Hebrew mahir, "diligent," &c. (Haydock) --- Scribe, not so much noted for his skill in writing fast, or drawing up deeds, as for his knowledge of the divine law. (Calmet) --- The gospel sometimes gives the title of scribe to the doctors of the law, Matthew xxii. 35., with Mark xii. 28. It is peculiarly due to Esdras, who gave a correct copy of the Scriptures, and wrote them in a different character, leaving the ancient one to the Samaritans, that the people might be less connected. (Bellarmine, De Verb. xx. 1, citing (Tirinus) the most learned Fathers and Jewish writers. (Calmet, Diss.) --- The author of 4 Esdras (xiv. 19,) intimates that the sacred books had been all destroyed, and were dictated again to Esdras by the Holy Spirit. But this book is not of sufficient authority to establish so dangerous an opinion; (Haydock) which is refuted by the whole context of the Bible, in which we see that the law was never forgotten. (Calmet, Diss.) (Du Hamel) --- As Esdras was inspired, what additions he might make, must be accounted divine and authentic. (Calmet) --- Hand; protection, (Delrio, adag. 217,) or inspiration. (Menochius) --- God can incline the heart of the king, (Proverbs xxi.) to accomplish his decrees. (Haydock) Month. Thus four entire months were spent on the journey, as they did not go the shortest way, and had much baggage, &c. (Calmet) Heart. Thinking continually (Menochius) how he might keep the law himself, and direct others. (Haydock) --- It would be well if all would thus teach by example, like Jesus Christ, who began to do and then to teach. (Haydock) --- Judgment. Both these terms express the same thing. (Menochius) Of the edict, is a farther explanation of the letter. (Haydock) Kings. This title was placed on the tomb of Cyrus, (Strabo xv.) and denoted a very powerful king. Artaxerxes had many tributaries in Media, Sidon, &c. The kings of Assyria had before assumed such pompous titles, Osee viii. 10. (Calmet) --- The most learned, comes later in the original Chaldean. (Haydock) --- "The priest, scribe of the law,...perfection, (health and happiness, (Calmet) or consummate in learning, &c. Haydock) as at present." (Calmet) --- Gemir uceheneth, "perfection (Castel. Lexic.) even now," chap. iv. 10. Protestants, "perfect peace, and at such a time." (Haydock) Counsellors. Interpreters of the laws. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] xi. 6.) --- The number seems to have been established at the courts of the Assyrian and Chaldean monarchs, Tobias xii. 15. We find their names, Esther i. 10, 14. The history of this queen happened in the reign of Darius Hystaspes. (Calmet) --- Hand. By this he was to pass sentence, ver. 25. (Haydock) --- The Jews were authorized to follow their own laws (Calmet) under the Persian dominion, ver. 26. (Tirinus) Babylon, which the Chaldeans may freely give. (Menochius) By me. Hebrew, "to spend, take it out of the king's treasure-house." Septuagint adds, "and from me." CHAPTER VII. Salt was used in all the sacrifices, Leviticus ii. 13. In 3 Esdras no mention is made of oil or salt; but we read, "and all other things in abundance." Nathinites. 3 Esdras, "sacred slaves." (Haydock) --- Artaxerxes confirms the immunities granted by the law of God, (Numbers iii. 6, 12,) by the kings of Egypt, (Genesis xlvii. 22,) and by all nations to the ministers of religion. (Calmet) River. 3 Esdras, "In all Syria and Phenicia." (Haydock) --- Hitherto, it seems, the royal judges had decided all affairs of consequence, which required any public chastisement. Banishment. Hebrew literally, "eradication" by death or exile, (Calmet) or by being cut off from all society, chap. x. 8. (De Dieu) --- Septuagint, "correction." (Haydock) Blessed. Here the author beings to write again in Hebrew and in the following verse, Esdras speaks in [the first] person. (Calmet) Hattus. He was of the royal family, (Haydock) as the former were descendants of the two sons of Aaron. (Calmet) --- The great numbers which were persuaded to return from Babylon, signify the conversions made by holy preachers. (Ven. Bede) (Worthington) Sons. Septuagint and Arabic add, "of Zathoe, Sechenias, the son of Aziel." The Syriac supplies the name of "Gabo, the son of Nahzael," which seems to have been lost. (Calmet) --- Junius translates, "of the descendants Sechenias N. son of Jahaziel." Sons of. Septuagint supply "Baani," whose name occurs, chap. ii. 10, and is here visibly wanting. (Calmet) Last. Coming after their brethren, chap. ii. 13. Zachur. Hebrew and Septuagint, "Zabud." (Calmet) --- Two letters have been mistaken. (Haydock) Ahava. This river (ver. 21., and 31.) runs through the territory of the same name, called Hava; (4 Kings xvii. 24.) the people of which exchanged places with the Israelites. Esdras makes a circuit to prevail on some of the latter to return with him, unless he began his journey from Susa. Babylon comprises all that country. (Calmet) --- None there, who were not priests, ver. 2. (Lyranus) (Menochius) Sent. Septuagint, "&c., "to Eliezer," &c., in order to give them his orders what to say to Eddo, who presided at Chasphia, as the sequel shews. --- Wise men, instructors of the people, (2 Paralipomenon xxxv. 3.; Calmet) Levites. (Menochius) Chasphia. The Caspian mountains, between Media and Hyrcania. Here the Nathinites were forced to labour, under Eddo. The service of the temple would be far more eligible. (Calmet) Fast it seems for eight days, so that they departed on the 12th, ver. 31. (Menochius) --- It will not suffice to leave sin, we must also do works of satisfaction. (Worthington) Forsake him. Apostates are treated with the greatest severity. (Menochius) --- Esdras thought that the glory of God was at stake, and he would not shew any diffidence in Providence, or scandalize the infidels. (Calmet) --- We ought not to ask princes for what we should despise. (Du Hamel) A hundred. Hebrew adds, "talents," vessels of silver. (Haydock) --- Some Rabbins suppose there were only 100, each of this weight, which is not probable. All the silver vessels, of different sizes, weighed 100 talents. There was the same quantity of golden vessels. (Calmet) CHAPTER VIII. Solids. Hebrew adarconim. Darics, equivalent to the golden sicle. (Calmet) (1 Paralipomenon xxix. 7.) --- Best. Protestants, "of fine copper, precious as gold." It might resemble the Corinthian brass, or aurichalcum, (Haydock) composed of gold, silver, and brass melted together, in the burning of Corinth, by L. Mummius. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxiv. 2.) --- Yet no such Corinthian vessels have come down to us; so that the account seems fabulous; and, at any rate, the city was not taken in the days of Esdras, but in the year 608 of Rome. We cannot say whether he speaks of copper, brass, &c. (Calmet) Israel. Some of the different tribes certainly returned, chap. vi. 17. Lords, 3 Esdras, "to the royal officers and governors of C\'9closyria and Phenicia; and they glorified," &c. --- Furthered, by their assistance (Haydock) and praise. They formed their sentiments, as is usual, by those of the king. (Calmet) Abominations, or sins, (Menochius) marrying with infidels, contrary to the law, Exodus xxxiv. 15., and Deuteronomy vii. 3. (Du Hamel) --- Malachy[Malachias] (ii. 11.) reprehends this conduct, and threatens both rulers and people who tolerate it, with God's indignation. (Worthington) First. Or "was in this first transgression," incurred by those who returned with Zorobabel; or "was concerned in this very heinous transgression;" in transgressione hac prima. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "hath been chief." 3 Esdras, "and the leaders and grandees partook in this illegal affair, from its commencement." Septuagint, "and the hand of the chiefs was in this transgress, in the beginning." This would greatly increase the difficulty of reformation. Some of the princes were however ready to undertake the work, and had preserved themselves from the two general contagion. (Haydock) --- All marriages with the Moabites, &c., were prohibited, if the women remained infidels, Exodus xxxiv. (Tirinus) Coat, or inner garment. (Haydock) --- Mourning. Hebrew, "astonished." (Syriac) (Montanus) (Calmet) (Protestants) --- Septuagint, "alone." 3 Esdras, "pensive and in grief." (Haydock) --- Arabic, "not uttering a word." See Job i. 20., and ii. 8. This was the ordinary posture of people in sorrow, Isaias iii. 26. (Calmet) To me, in the court of the temple, chap. x. 1. (Menochius) --- Sacrifice, which was offered last of all, about sun-set, Exodus xxix. 38. The Jews commonly protract their fasts till the stars appear. (Leo, p. 3, art. 8.) At this day. Notwithstanding the favourable decrees of Cyrus, &c., the greatest part of the people continued in captivity, being dispersed, some into Egypt, others into distant countries, beyond the Euphrates. (Calmet) As a. Protestants, "for a little space, grace hath been shewed from the Lord," (Haydock) and yet we are again irritating Him! (Calmet) --- A pin, or nail, here signifies a small settlement or holding; which Esdras begs for, to preserve even a part of the people, who, by their great iniquity, had incurred the anger of God. (Challoner) --- Allusion is made to the pins which fasten down a tent, (Isaias xxxiii. 20., and liv. 2.) or hinder a ship from being carried from the shore, (Tigurin; Menochius) on which utensils are hung up, (Tournemine) referring to the magistrates, who were now of the same country. (Tirinus) (Isaias xxii. 21.) (Delrio, adag. 218.) --- Septuagint, "a support." Hebrew yathed, denotes also a walking-stick, nail, &c. (Menochius) --- Eyes, fill us with joy, in perfect security. --- Little life, free us from danger. (Calmet) --- Esdras is afraid to ask for the impunity of all, but only begs that a small part may be spared, like a nail or post from a house, which may serve to rebuild it. (Worthington) Fence. Hebrew gader, "the name which the Carthaginians" gave to Cadiz, "as it signifies a fence," or an inclosure. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxii.) (Calmet) --- Some Latin manuscripts read spem, "hope." (Lyranus) --- The Tigurin version understands the wall of Jerusalem, built in a hurry. (Menochius) --- But this was not perfected, (Haydock) if begun, till the time of Nehemias, 2 Esdras i. 3. (Calmet) --- God gave his protection to the people, (Haydock; Delrio, adag. 219.) by the king of Persia. (Tirinus) Mouth, like a vessel brim-full. (Menochius) --- Protestants, "from one end ot the other." (Haydock) Peace. Alliance, (Menochius) or advantage. See Psalm cxxi. 8. Moses had thus proscribed the Moabites, &c., as he had done the people of Chanaan still more severely. The Israelites were to execute God's decrees, Deuteronomy xxiii. 6. (Calmet) --- The obstinate idolaters were to be exterminated. Saved us. Protestants, "hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve and hast given us such deliverance as this." Septuagint, "hast made our transgressions light," (Haydock) not weighing them with rigid severity. (Calmet) That. Hebrew, "should we again break, &c....Wouldst thou not be angry?" &c. To be saved from our iniquities, which are still upon us. (Haydock) --- We confess that, if we should be treated according to our deserts, we could expect no redress. But we trust in thy mercies, which have hitherto supported and brought us back from slavery. (Calmet)