Chronological

Footnotes

1. Ezra 1:1 sn In addition to the canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, there are two deuterocanonical books that are also called “Ezra.” Exactly how these books are designated varies in ancient literature. In the Septuagint (LXX) canonical Ezra is called Second Esdras, but in the Latin Vulgate it is called First Esdras. Our Nehemiah is called Third Esdras in some manuscripts of the LXX, but it is known as Second Esdras in the Latin Vulgate. (In the earliest LXX manuscripts Ezra and Nehemiah were regarded as one book, as they were in some Hebrew manuscripts.) The deuterocanonical books of Ezra are called First and Fourth Esdras in the LXX, but Third and Fourth Esdras in the Latin Vulgate. The titles for the so-called books of Ezra are thus rather confusing, a fact that one must keep in mind when consulting this material.
2. Ezra 1:1 sn The first year of Cyrus would be ca. 539 b.c. Cyrus reigned in Persia from ca. 539-530 b.c.
3. Ezra 1:1 tc The MT reads מִפִּי (mippi, “from the mouth of”), but this should probably be emended to בְּפִי (b^efi, “by the mouth of”), which is the way the parallel passage in 2 Chr 36:22 reads. This is also reflected in the LXX, which is either reflecting an alternate textual tradition of בְּפִי or is attempting to harmonize Ezra 1:1 in light of 2 Chronicles.tn Heb “from the mouth of.”
4. Ezra 1:1 sn Cf. Jer 29:10; 25:11-14. Jeremiah had prophesied that after a time of seventy years the Jews would return “to this place.” How these seventy years are to be reckoned is a matter of debate among scholars. Some understand the period to refer to the approximate length of Babylon’s ascendancy as a world power, beginning either with the fall of Nineveh (612 b.c.) or with Nebuchadnezzar’s coronation (605 b.c.) and continuing till the fall of Babylon to the Persians in 539 b.c. Others take the seventy years to refer to the period from the destruction of the temple in 586 b.c. till its rebuilding in 516 b.c.
5. Ezra 1:1 tn Heb “stirred the spirit of.” The Hebrew noun רוּחַ (ruakh, “spirit”) has a broad range of meanings (see BDB 924-26 s.v.). Here, it probably refers to (1) “mind” as the seat of mental acts (e.g., Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9; Isa 29:24; 40:13; Ezek 11:5; 20:32; 1 Chr 28:12; cf. BDB 925 s.v. 6) or (2) “will” as the seat of volitional decisions (e.g., Exod 35:5, 22; Pss 51:12, 14; 57:8; 2 Chr 29:31; cf. BDB 925 s.v. 7). So also in v. 5. The entire phrase “stirred the spirit” has been rendered as “motivated” to better reflect normal English.
6. Ezra 1:1 tn Heb “caused to pass.”
7. Ezra 1:1 tn Heb “a voice.” The Hebrew noun קוֹל (qol, “voice, sound”) has a broad range of meanings, including the metonymical (cause—effect) nuance “proclamation” (e.g., Exod 36:6; 2 Chr 24:9; 30:5; 36:22; Ezra 1:1; 10:7; Neh 8:15). See BDB 877 s.v. 3.a.2.
8. Ezra 1:1 tn Heb “in writing, saying.”sn For an interesting extrabiblical parallel to this edict see the Cyrus cylinder (ANET 315-16).
9. Ezra 1:2 tn Or “instructed.”
10. Ezra 1:2 tn Heb “house.” The Hebrew noun בַּיִת (bayit, “house”) is often used in reference to the temple of Yahweh (BDB 108 s.v. 1.a). This is also frequent elsewhere in Ezra and Nehemiah (e.g., Ezra 1:3, 4, 5, 7; 2:68; 3:8, 9, 11, 12; 4:3; 6:22; 7:27; 8:17, 25, 29, 30, 33, 36; 9:9; 10:1, 6, 9).
11. Ezra 1:3 tn Heb “from all.”
12. Ezra 1:4 tn Heb “the men of his place.”
13. Ezra 1:5 tn Heb “the heads of the fathers.”
14. Ezra 1:5 tn Heb “arose.”
15. Ezra 1:6 tn Heb “strengthened their hands.”
16. Ezra 1:6 tc The MT reads בִּכְלֵי־כֶסֶף (bikhle khesef, “with silver vessels”). However, part of the LXX manuscript tradition reads ἐν πᾶσιν ἀργυρίῳ (en pasin arguriō), which reflects an alternate Hebrew reading of בַּכֹּל־בַּכֶּסֶף (bakkol bakkesef, “everywhere, with silver”). The textual variant involves (1) simple omission of yod (י) between two words, a common scribal mistake; (2) haplography of the preposition bet (ב); and (3) an alternate vocalization tradition of the first term.
17. Ezra 1:6 tn Heb “besides” or “in addition to.”
18. Ezra 1:7 tn Heb “and he gave them.”
19. Ezra 1:8 tn Heb “brought them forth.”
20. Ezra 1:8 tn Heb “upon the hand of.”
21. Ezra 1:8 sn A Persian name meaning “gift of Mithras.” See HALOT 656 s.v. מִתְרְדָת.
22. Ezra 1:8 sn A Babylonian name with the probable meaning “Shamash protect the father.” See HALOT 1664-65 s.v. שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר.
23. Ezra 1:8 tn Heb “Sheshbazzar the prince to Judah”; TEV, CEV “the governor of Judah.”
24. Ezra 1:9 tn Heb “these are their number.”
25. Ezra 1:9 tn The exact meaning of the Hebrew noun אֲגַרְטָל (ʾagartal, which occurs twice in this verse) is somewhat uncertain. The lexicons suggest that it is related to a common Semitic root (the Hebrew derivative has a prosthetic prefixed א [aleph] and interchange between ג [gimel] and ק [kof]): Judean Aramaic and Syriac qartalla, Arabic qirtallat, Ethiopic qartalo, all meaning “basket” (BDB 173-74 s.v.; HALOT 11 s.v.). There is debate whether this is a loanword from Greek κάρταλλος (kartallos, “basket”), Persian hirtal (“leather bag”) or Hittite kurtal (“container”). The term is traditionally understood as a kind of vessel, such as “basket, basin” (BDB 173-74 s.v.; HALOT 11 s.v.); but some suggest “leather bag” or a basket-shaped container of some sort (P. Humbert, “En marge du dictionnaire hébraïque,” ZAW 62 [1950]: 199-207; DCH 1:118 s.v.). The LXX translated it as ψυκτήρ (psuktēr, “metal bowl”). The precise meaning depends on whether the nouns כֶּסֶף (kesef, “silver”) and זָהָב (zahav, “gold”), which follow each use of this plural construct noun, are genitives of content (“containers full of silver” and “containers full of gold”) or genitives of material (“silver containers” and “gold containers” = containers made from silver and gold). If they are genitives of content, the term probably means “baskets” or “leather bags” (filled with silver and gold); however, if they are genitives of material, the term would mean “basins” (made of silver and gold). Elsewhere in Ezra 1, the nouns כֶּסֶף (“silver”) and זָהָב (“gold”) are used as genitives or material, not genitives of content; therefore, the translation “gold basins” and “silver basins” is preferred.
26. Ezra 1:9 tn Heb “knives.” The Hebrew noun מַחֲלָפִים (makhalafim, “knives”) is found only here in the OT. While the basic meaning of the term is fairly clear, what it refers to here is unclear. The verb II חָלַף (khalaf) means “to pass through” (BDB 322 s.v. חָלַף) or “to cut through” (HALOT 321 s.v. II חלף; see also Judg 5:26; Job 20:24); thus, the lexicons suggest מַחֲלָפִים means “knives” (BDB 322 s.v. מַחֲלָף; HALOT 569 s.v. *מַחֲלָף). The related noun חֲלָפוֹת (khalafot, “knife”) is used in Mishnaic Hebrew (HALOT 321 s.v. II חלף), and חֲלִיפוֹת (khalifot, “knives”) appears in the Talmud. The noun appears in the cognate languages: Ugaritic khlpnm “(“knives”; UT 19) and Syriac khalofta (“shearing knife”; HALOT 321 s.v. II חלף). The Vulgate translated it as “knives,” while the LXX understood it as referring to replacement pieces for the offering basins. The English translations render it variously; some following the Vulgate and others adopting the approach of the LXX: “knives” (KJV, NKJV, NRSV), “censers” (RSV), “duplicates” (NASB), “silver pans” (NIV), “bowls” (TEV), “other dishes” (CEV). Verse 11 lists these twenty-nine objects among the “gold and silver vessels” brought back to Jerusalem for temple worship. The translation above offers the intentionally ambiguous “silver utensils” (the term מַחֲלָפִים [“knives”] would hardly refer to “gold” items, but could refer to “silver items”).
27. Ezra 1:10 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מִשְׁנִים (mishnim) is uncertain. The noun מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh) means “double, second” (BDB 1041 s.v.), “what is doubled, two-fold” (HALOT 650 s.v. מִשְׁנֶה 3). The translations reflect a diversity of approaches: “410 silver bowls of a second kind” (KJV, NASB, RSV margin), “410 other silver bowls” (NRSV) and “410 matching silver bowls” (NIV). BDB 1041 s.v. משׁנה 3.a suggests it was originally a numeral that was garbled in the transmission process, as reflected in the LXX: “two thousand” (so RSV “two thousand four hundred and ten bowls of silver”). The BHS editor suggests revocalizing the term to מְשֻׁנִים (m^eshunim, “changed”).
28. Ezra 1:11 sn The total number as given in the MT does not match the numbers given for the various items in v. 9. It is not clear whether the difference is due to error in textual transmission or whether the constituent items mentioned are only a selection from a longer list, in which case the total from that longer list may have been retained. The numbers provided in 1 Esdras come much closer to agreeing with the number in Ezra 1:9-11, but this does not necessarily mean that 1 Esdras has been better preserved here than Ezra. 1 Esdras 2:13-15 (RSV) says, “The number of these was: a thousand gold cups, a thousand silver cups, twenty-nine silver censers, thirty gold bowls, two thousand four hundred and ten silver bowls, and a thousand other vessels. All the vessels were handed over, gold and silver, five thousand four hundred and sixty-nine, and they were carried back by Shesbazzar with the returning exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem.”
29. Ezra 2:1 sn The list of names and numbers in this chapter of Ezra has a parallel account in Neh 7:6-73. The fact that the two lists do not always agree in specific details suggests that various textual errors have crept into the accounts during the transmission process.
30. Ezra 2:1 tn Heb “the sons of.”
31. Ezra 2:1 tn The Hebrew term הָעֹלִים (haʿolim, “those who were going up” [Qal active participle]) refers to continual action in the past. Most translations render this as a simple past: “went up” (KJV), “came up” (RSV, ASV, NASB, NIV), “came” (NRSV). CEV paraphrases: “were on their way back.”
32. Ezra 2:2 tn Heb “men of the people of Israel.”
33. Ezra 2:2 tn The words “was as follows” are not in the Hebrew text but are used in the translation for clarity.
34. Ezra 2:3 tn Heb “the sons of.”
35. Ezra 2:6 tn Heb “to the sons of.” Cf. v. 40.
36. Ezra 2:6 tc The MT reads יוֹאָב (yoʾav, “Joab”). However, syntax demands the reading וְיוֹאָב (v^eyoʾav, “and Joab”) which is reflected in the LXX and Syriac.
37. Ezra 2:16 tn Heb “to.” So also in vv. 36, 40.
38. Ezra 2:21 tc The translation follows the suggestion in BHS and reads אַנְשֵׁי (ʾanshe, “the men of”) here rather than the reading בְּנֵי (b^ene, “the sons of”) found in the MT. So also in vv. 25, 26, 33, 34.
39. Ezra 2:24 tc The translation follows the suggestion in BHS and reads אַנְשֵׁי בֵּית (ʾanshe bet, “men of the house of”) here rather than the reading בְּנֵי (b^ene, “the sons of”) found in the MT. And see H. G. M. Williamson, Ezra, Nehemiah (WBC), 25.tn Heb “the men of the house of Azmaveth”; some regard בֵּית (bet, “house of”) as a part of the place name: NAB, NLT “Beth Azmaveth.”
40. Ezra 2:25 tc The translation, with the support of many manuscripts, reads יְעָרִים (y^eʿarim) here rather than the reading עָרִים (ʿarim) of the MT.
41. Ezra 2:36 tn Heb “the house of.”
42. Ezra 2:42 tc Here it is preferable to delete the reading בְּנֵי (b^ene, “the sons of”) found in the MT.
43. Ezra 2:46 tc The translation follows the Qere reading “Shalmai” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NLT) rather than the MT Kethib “Shamlai” (so ASV, NAB, NRSV).
44. Ezra 2:59 tn Heb “relate.”
45. Ezra 2:59 tn Heb “the house of their fathers.”
46. Ezra 2:59 tn Heb “their seed.”
47. Ezra 2:61 tc The translation reads וּמִן (umin, “and from”) rather than the reading וּמִבְּנֵי (umibb^eney, “and from the sons of”) found in the MT.
48. Ezra 2:61 tn Heb “their.”
49. Ezra 2:62 tn Heb “these.”
50. Ezra 2:62 tn Heb “their records were searched for in the genealogical materials, but were not found.” This passive construction has been translated as active for stylistic reasons.
51. Ezra 2:62 tn Heb “they were desecrated.”
52. Ezra 2:63 tn The Hebrew word תִּרְשָׁתָא (tirshataʾ) is an official title of the Persian governor in Judea, perhaps similar in meaning to “excellency” (BDB 1077 s.v.; HALOT 1798 s.v.; W. L. Holladay, Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon, 395).
53. Ezra 2:63 tn Heb “to stand.”
54. Ezra 2:63 sn The Urim and Thummim were two objects used to determine God’s will; there is no clear evidence of their size or shape, or the material from which they were made.
55. Ezra 2:64 sn The same total is given in Neh 7:66, but the numbers of people listed do not add up to this total; the list in vv. 3-60 is apparently selective, but it is not clear what the basis of the selectivity is.
56. Ezra 2:65 tn Heb “besides” or “in addition to.”
57. Ezra 2:68 tn Heb “the heads of the fathers.”
58. Ezra 2:68 tn Heb “cause it to stand.”
59. Ezra 2:69 tn Heb “according to their strength.”
60. Ezra 2:69 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים (dark^emonim, cf. Neh 7:69, 70, 71) is uncertain. It may be a Greek loanword meaning “drachmas” (the view adopted here and followed also by NAB, NASB, NIV) or a Persian loanword “daric,” referring to a Persian gold coin (BDB 204 s.v. דַּרְכְּמוֹן; HALOT 232 s.v. נִים(וֹ)דַּרְכְּמֹ; cf. ASV, NRSV). For further study, see R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel, 206-9.
61. Ezra 2:69 sn The מָנִים (manim, cf. Neh 7:71, 72) is a measuring weight for valuable metals, equal to 1/60 of a talent or 60 shekels (BDB 584 s.v. מָנֶה; HALOT 599 s.v. מָנֶה). For further study, see R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel, 203-6.
62. Ezra 2:69 tn Or “garments.”
63. Ezra 3:1 tn Heb “the sons of Israel.”
64. Ezra 3:1 tn The word “living” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied. Some translations supply “settled” (cf. NAB, NIV, NLT).
65. Ezra 3:1 tc The translation reads with some medieval Hebrew mss and ancient versions בְּעָרֵיהֶם (b^eʿarehem, “in their towns”), rather than the reading בֶּעָרִים (beʿarim, “in the towns”) found in the MT. Cf. Neh 7:72 HT [7:73 ET].
66. Ezra 3:1 tn The Hebrew text adds the phrase “like one man.” This has not been included in the translation for stylistic reasons.
67. Ezra 3:1 tn Heb “to.”
68. Ezra 3:2 sn Jozadak (also in 3:8) is a variant spelling of Jehozadak.
69. Ezra 3:2 tn Heb “his brothers the priests.”
70. Ezra 3:2 tn Heb “his brothers.”
71. Ezra 3:2 tn Heb “arose and built.”
72. Ezra 3:2 tn Heb “written in.” Cf. v. 4.
73. Ezra 3:3 tn Heb “the peoples of the lands.”
74. Ezra 3:4 tn The Hebrew phrase אֶת חַג־הַסֻּכּוֹת (ʾet khag hassukot, “Feast of Shelters” [or “Huts”]) is traditionally known as the Feast of Tabernacles. The rendering “booths” (cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV) is probably better than the traditional “tabernacles” in light of the meaning of the term סֻכָּה (sukkah, “hut; booth”), but “booths” are frequently associated with trade shows and craft fairs in contemporary American English. The nature of the celebration during this feast as a commemoration of the wanderings of the Israelites after they left Egypt suggests that a translation like “shelters” is more appropriate.
75. Ezra 3:4 tn Heb “according to what is written.”
76. Ezra 3:4 tn Heb “by number.”
77. Ezra 3:6 tn Or “the foundation of the Lord’s temple was not yet laid.”
78. Ezra 3:7 tn Heb “silver.”
79. Ezra 3:7 tn Heb “to the sea”
80. Ezra 3:8 tn Heb “began”; the phrase “the work” is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
81. Ezra 3:8 tn Heb “their brothers.”
82. Ezra 3:8 tn Heb “stood.”
83. Ezra 3:8 tn Heb “from twenty years and upward.”
84. Ezra 3:9 tn Heb “brothers.”
85. Ezra 3:9 sn The name יְהוּדָה (Yehudah; cf. KJV, ASV, NASB “Judah”) is probably a variant of Hodaviah (see Ezra 2:40; cf. NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT).
86. Ezra 3:9 tn Heb “brothers.”
87. Ezra 3:10 sn This was a long, straight, metallic instrument used for signal calls, rather than the traditional ram’s horn (both instruments are typically translated “trumpet” by English versions).
88. Ezra 3:10 tn Heb “according to the hands of.”
89. Ezra 3:10 sn See Pss 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1. Cf. 2 Chr 5:13; 7:3; 20:21.
90. Ezra 3:11 tn Heb “they answered.”
91. Ezra 3:11 tn Heb “great.”
92. Ezra 3:12 tn Heb “the heads of the fathers.”
93. Ezra 3:12 sn The temple had been destroyed some fifty years earlier by the Babylonians in 586 b.c.
94. Ezra 3:12 tn Heb “with a great voice.”
95. Ezra 3:13 tn Heb “a great shout.”