Albert Barnes Commentary Ezra 4:7

Albert Barnes Commentary

Ezra 4:7

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Ezra 4:7

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian [character], and set forth in the Syrian [tongue]." — Ezra 4:7 (ASV)

Artaxerxes - Gomates, the Pseudo-Smerdis. He succeeded Cambyses (521 B.C.), and reigned for seven months, when he was deposed and executed by Darius Hystaspis.

Written in the Syrian tongue ... - Or, “written in Syriac characters and translated into Syriac.” On the use of this tongue as a medium of communication between the Jews and their Eastern neighbors, see (2 Kings 18:26) note.