All the rulers ... helped the Jews—that is, the Persians, who formed the standing army which kept the Empire in subjection, and were at the …

Helped. — Literally, lifted up. The same Hebrew verb is rendered furthered (Ezra 8:36).

And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and
the deputies, and officers of the king, bl…

The enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them by the former edict. If they had attempted nothing against the people of God, they would not …