Geneva Bible Notes: Ezra 4

Ezra 4:1 ^a Meaning, the inhabitants of Samaria, whome the King of Assyria had placed in the steade of the ten tribes {2 King. 17,24} & {19,37}. These professed God, but worshiped idoles also, and therefore were the greatest enemies to the true seruants of God.

Ezra 4:2 ^! The buylding of the Temple is hindred & how.

Ezra 4:3 ^b For thei perceiued what their pretence was, to wit, to erect idolatrie in steade of true religion.

Ezra 4:4 ^/ Ebr. made their hands weake.

Ezra 4:5 ^c They bribed the gouerners vnder the King, to hinder their worke. thus they that halte can not abide that God shulde be purely serued.

Ezra 4:6 ^d He was also called Artaxerxes, which is a Persian name. some thinke it was Cambese Cyrus sonne, or Darius, as {vers 5}.

Ezra 4:7 ^e Called Artaxerxes, which signifieth in the Persian tongue, an excellent warriour.

Ezra 4:8 ^/ Or, counseleur.

Ezra 4:9 ^f These were certeine people, which the Assyrians placed in Samaria in stead of the ten tribes.

Ezra 4:10 ^g Some thinke it was Sanneherib, but rather Salmanasar.

Ezra 4:10 ^h To wit, Euphrates, & he meaneth in respect of Babel that they dwelt beyonde it.

Ezra 4:10 ⁱ Which were a certeine people that enuyed the Jewes.

Ezra 4:11 ^! Letters to Artaxerxes, and the answer.

Ezra 4:13 ^k Meaning, the gifts that are wonte to be giuen to Kings when they passe by any countrey.

Ezra 4:14 ^/ Ebr. In the Chalde, we haue eaten the salt of the palace.

Ezra 4:24 ⁿ Not all together: for the Prophetes exhorted them to contineu, but they vsed lesse diligence because of the troubles.