Ezra 6:14

“And the elders of the Jews builded, etc.] Went on with the building of the temple: and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo; or grandson, as before; being animated and encouraged by them; and as they foretold and promised it would, be, so it was; they had success in their work, the Lord overruling the heart of Darius the king and his council in their favour: and they builded and finished it; that is, the temple: according to the commandment of the God of Israel; by the above prophets, who spoke to them, and prophesied in his name: and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia; the commandment of…”

“Artaxerxes - The Artaxerxes of marginal reference seems to be meant (i. e., Longimanus); he was one of those who together with Cyrus and Darius helped forward the completion of the work. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Through the prophesying - This is a seasonable intimation that this great and unexpected success was not to be ascribed to chance, or to the kindness or good humour of Darius, but unto God only, who by his prophets had required and encouraged them to proceed in the work, and by his mighty power disposed Darius's heart to such kind and noble purposes. Ezra 6:21”

“And the elders: Ezr 3:8, Ezr 4:3 through: Ezr 5:1, Ezr 5:2; Hag 1:12-14, Hag 2:2-15; Zech. 2:1-4:14, Zac 6:1-15 finished it: Zac 4:9 according: Isa 44:28; Hag 1:8 commandment: Chal, decree Cyrus: Ezr 6:13, Ezr 1:1-4, Ezr 4:24, Ezr 5:13 Artaxerxes: This was Artaxerxes, the third son and successor of Xerxes, surnamed Μακροχειρ, or Longimanus, or in Persian, Ardsheer deeraz dest, "Ardsheer the long-handed;" so called, according to the Greeks, from the extra-ordinary length of his hands, but according to the Easterners, from the extent of his dominions. He ascended the Persian throne, am 3540, bc 464, and reigned forty-one years. He is said to have been the most handsome person of his age, and…”