They delivered the king’s commissions to the king’s local governors, and to the governors beyond the River. So they supported the people and God’s house.
Parallel Translations
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They delivered the king’s commissions to the king’s local governors, and to the governors beyond the River. So they supported the people and God’s house.
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And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
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And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's satraps, and to the governors beyond the River; and they furthered the people and the house of God.
Cross-references (8)
Passages linked to Ezra 8:36 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ezra 7:21-24 I, even I Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence, up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.
- Ezra 4:7-23 In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian, and delivered in the Syrian language. Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows, then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote. This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, From your servants the men beyond the River. Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations. Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings. Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed. We inform the king that, if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River. Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace. The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it. There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them. Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree is made by me. Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.
- Ezra 5:6-17 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows. They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace. Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands. Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?” We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head. Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God. The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king also took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in its place.’ Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until now it has been being built, and yet it is not completed. Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”
- Ezra 6:13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree.
- Isaiah 56:6-7 Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh to serve him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant, I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
- Acts 18:27 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
- Revelation 12:16 The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth.
- Esther 9:3 All the princes of the provinces, the local governors, the governors, and those who did the king’s business helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Ezr 8:36 And they delivered the king’s commissions unto…
Ezr 8:36 And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
Ver. 36. And they furthered the people] Heb. They gave them a lift, lent them a helping hand; not out of love to the work, but for fear of the king, and in pursuance of his commands and commissions. Thus the devil and his imps sometimes do God’s will, though with an ill will, Psa 109:31. They continue this day according to thine ordinances; for all are thy servants. How much better were it to work from a right principle, not by constraint, but willingly; not for fear of wrath, but of a ready mind, 1Pe 5:2; to love to be God’s servants, taking hold of his covenant, Isa 56:6, and saying to him, as the people did to Joshua, Jos 1:16, or as the rulers and elders to Jehu, 2Ki 10:5, "We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us."
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain In the adorning and furnishing of it with these…
In the adorning and furnishing of it with these vessels and other conveniences; and in promoting God’s worship and service therein.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 36. The king's lieutenants] אחשדרפני achashdarpeney: this is…
Verse 36. The king's lieutenants] אחשדרפני achashdarpeney: this is generally understood to mean lieutenant or deputy, and is probably of Persian origin, though here greatly corrupted. The Vulgate renders it regis satrapis, to the satraps of the king, which is the Persian [Persian] satrab. A viceroy in Persian is [Persian] soubah-dar; viceroys, [Persian] soubahdaran. [Persian] darafreen signifies a person in whom one has confidence; and [Persian] achi is an epithet of a vizir. These two words conjoined will make nearly that of the text. But I do not give any of these etymologies with confidence. Other words might be proposed as candidates, but where there is so little certainty, conjecture is useless. Were it necessary a dissertation might be written on the Persian words, and Persian forms of speech, in this and the two following books; but probably after my toil few of my readers would thank me for my pains.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Ezr 8:36. They delivered the king’s commissions to the…
Ezr 8:36. They delivered the king’s commissions to the lieutenants, and they furthered the people — Even the enemies of the Jews became their friends, yielded to Ezra’s commission, and, instead of hindering the people of God, furthered them, purely out of complaisance to the king. When he appeared moderate, they all coveted to appear so too. And the house of God — The completion of which they furthered, adorning and furnishing it with these vessels and other conveniences, and promoting God’s worship and service therein.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain The kings commissions - i. e., the orders issued…
The kings commissions - i. e., the orders issued to all governors of provinces near Judaea by Artaxerxes, given in Ezr 7:21-24.
The kings lieutenants - literally, “the king’s satraps.” The word is used in its strict sense, referring to the chief rulers of Persian provinces, from which the “governors” or rulers of smaller districts are distinguished.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Lords, (satrapis.) 3 Esdras, "to the royal officers and…
Lords, (satrapis.) 3 Esdras, "to the royal officers and governors of Cœlosyria 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)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 36. Lieutenants — Hebrew, achash-darpenim; satraps. “The genuine form…
36. Lieutenants — Hebrew, achash-darpenim; satraps. “The genuine form of this name, which has lately been found in the inscriptions of ancient India, is ksatrapa, that is, warrior of the host.” — Gesenius. In the Behistun inscription it is written khshatrapava. These were among the highest officers of the Persian government, and in their several provinces were representatives of the king. Governors, like Tatnai, (see note on Ezr_5:3,) were rulers and superintendents of smaller districts under the satraps.
They furthered the people — Literally, lifted them, or as we say, gave them a lift. They not only gave them no opposition, but even showed them favour, and helped them in their work.
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And the house of God — This had been finished and dedicated, (Ezr_8:15-17,) but doubtless needed still much in the way of beautifying and adorning.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 36. the king’s commissions] i.e. especially those mentioned in…
36. the king’s commissions] i.e. especially those mentioned in Ezr_7:21-22; Ezr_7:24 which would concern the provincial administration, by requisitioning for supplies and by exemption from taxation.
The word rendered “commissions” occurs elsewhere in the O.T. only in the Aramaic sections, e.g. = ‘law’ Ezr_7:12; Ezr_7:14; Ezr_7:21; Ezr_7:25-26; Dan_2:9; Dan_6:5; Dan_6:8; Dan_6:12; “decree” Dan_2:13; Dan_2:15.
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the king’s lieutenants] R.V. the king’s satraps. A Persian word found in Est_3:12; Est_8:9; Est_9:3, and in Dan_3:2-3; Dan_3:27; Dan_6:2-4; Dan_6:7-8. In Hebrew it is transliterated as “akhashdarpan”.
In the Persian inscriptions ‘khshatrapava’ occurs frequently as “governor of a district”. It is probably the same as our satrap, which is derived from the Greek (σατράπης).
The LXX. rendering (διοικηταῖς) reminds us of the original extensive area implied by the word ‘diocese’.
and to the governors] The ‘governor’ or ‘pekhah’, cf. Tatnai Ezr_5:3-4 and Zerubbabel Ezr_6:7; Hag_1:1 &c. (LXX. ἐπάρχοις).
The ‘satrap’ was governor of a province; the ‘pekhah’ administered the affairs of a petty kingdom or a small district.
on this side the river] R.V. beyond the river. See note on Ezr_4:10.
and they furthered the people &c.] The word “furthered” is the same in Hebr. as that rendered “help” in Ezr_1:4; it conveniently reproduces the ‘zeugma’ of the Hebrew construction, by which the same verb is used of assistance to the people and of decoration for the Temple.
The LXX. ἐδόξασαν, Vulg. elevaverunt, give common but here in appropriate renderings.
The royal decree turned the scale in favour of the Jews. Officials now aided them. Foreign countries ceased to be neutral.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (36) And they delivered the king’s commissions.—First came sacrifices…
(36) And they delivered the king’s commissions.—First came sacrifices of burnt offering to God (Ezr_8:35); then, having rendered to God the things which were God’s, they render to Cæsar the things of Cæsar. They delivered the king’s commission, or firman, to the lieutenants or satraps in military authority, and to the governors, or pechahs, or pashas, in civil authority under them. The firman was of course accepted and acted upon: “they furthered the people.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And they delivered the king"s commissions. Parts of Ezra"s…
And they delivered the king"s commissions. Parts of Ezra"s firman concerned vitally the other provincial governors, and had of necessity to be communicated to them. Such were the provisoes concerning Ezra"s power of drawing upon the provincial treasuries for corn, wine, oil, salt, and money, (Ezr_7:22, Ezr_7:23) and concerning the exemption of all ranks of the Jewish sacred order from taxation of any kind whatsoever (ibid. ver. 24). Unto the king"s lieutenants, and to the governors. The word translated "lieutenants" is that which corresponds to the Persian term "satrap," and designates the highest class of the Persian provincial governors. That translated "governor" is the term which has been already applied by Ezra to Tatnai (Ezr_5:3, Ezr_5:4) and Zerubbabel. (Ezr_6:7) It denotes a lower grade of official. They furthered the people. The satraps and lower officials, on being made acquainted with the king"s wishes, readily complied with them, and became supporters and favourers of the Jewish people.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.