The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

EZRA. CHAP. I. And 2 CHRON. XXXVI. vers. 22. 23.

CYRUS published a Decree for the Jews returning to their own Land again; This Decree was signed at the very instant of Daniels prayer, Dan. 9. 23.

Darius was yet alive and reigning, as appears by comparing Dan. 9. 1. but the Decree and Proclamation is the Act of Cyrus, not only in regard of a Prophesie that went before concerning him, Esay 44. 28. but also be∣cause he was the greater Conqueror, and the greater Prince. For 1. He was not only sharer with Darius in the Conquest of Babylon, but was also sharer with him in the Kingdom of Media, as being sole heir to it; but Da∣rius had no claim with him in the Kingdom of Persia. 2. Berosus, not that of Annius, but cited by Josephus, Lib. 1. cont. Apion saith, that Cyrus had con∣quered even all Asia, before he came to besiege Babel; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Cyrus delivered out to Zerubabel, who by the Chaldeans was called Shesbazzar, all the Vessels of the Temple that Ne∣buchad-nezzar had captived. In the summing of them there is some obscu∣rity, for there is a particular given only of two thousand four hundred ninety nine, and yet the Text summeth up five thousand four hundred, for it particulareth only those that were of a greater size, but summeth up both the great and little; for 2 Chron. 36. 18. it is said, that the King of Babel brought all the Vessels of the House of God, both great and small to Babel, vid. Joseph. Antiq. 11. 1.

EZRA II.

THIS Chapter reckoneth the number of the Jews that returned out of Captivity, it first nameth the chief Conductors and Princes among the people, and then the several Families and number of Persons; the se∣venth Chapter of Nehemiah hath this Catalogue over again, but with abun∣dance of difference, some reason whereof shall be given there.

The Commanders and Rulers in chief were twelve:

• 1. Zerubabel the Prince of Judah.
• 2. Jesus the son of Jozedek the High Priest.
• 3. Nehemiah, the builder and repairer of Jerusalem afterward.
• 4. Seraiah, or Azariah as he is called, Neh. 7. 7. probably Ezra, who is called Seraiah after the name of his father.
• 5. Realiah, called Raamiah, Neh. 7. the difference of the name agreeing in the sence, for Realiah signifieth, The Lords terrour, and Raamiah the Lords thunder.
• 6. Mordecay, the Uncle of Esther, and over-thrower of Haman.
• 7. Nachamani, he is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, but omitted here: For he came, not up now, but at some other time before Nehemiah taketh his Catalogue.
• 8. Bilshan.
• 9. Mispar, or Mispeseth.
• 10. Bigudi.
• 11. Rehum, or Nehum.
• 12. Baanah.

The number of the people was 42360 their servants and maids prosely∣ted, 7337.

EZRA III.

IN the seventh month the returned Jews meet at Jerusalem, build up the Altar, keep the Feast of Tabernacles, offer Sacrifices, but yet have no Temple.

[World 3472] [Cyrus 2] In the second year of Cyrus, and of the peoples return, in the second month of the year or Ijar, the foundation of the Temple is laid: Divers are present at it that had seen the former Temple, for it was but fifty three years since it was destroyed; and they mourn as fast to see how short that building was like to come of that Temple they had seen, as the others rejoyce to see a Temple toward that had seen none be∣fore.

EZRA IV.

[World 3473] [Cyrus 3] ARTAXERXES reigneth in the third year of Cyrus, and here let us take up the consideration of the Persian Kings and these times a little, since there is not a little obscurity and difficulty about the reckoning and computing of them.

1. At the conquest of Babylon Cyrus and Darius were Partners, as was observed before; Darius only named in the Scripture at that expedition be∣cause the elder, and Cyrus only named in Heathen Authors because the founder of the Persian Monarchy. These two reigned together two years, saith Metasthenes, if we may believe that Author; but whether they did so or no, it is past all doubt that their years, were they two, or more, or less, were reckoned together; for the first year of Darius, when the Decree of the building Jerusalem came out, Dan. 9. 1. 23. was the first of Cyrus also, Ezra 1. 1.

2. Cyrus is generally held by Heathen Writers to have reigned about thirty years

Herodot. Triginta annis. Just. &c. Now the question as to the mat∣ter we have now in hand, is not how long Cyrus reigned in all, but how long he reigned after the Persian Monarchy began in him, or after that year that the Scripture calls his first year, namely, when the Lord had given him all the Kingdoms of the Earth, and when he restored the Jews to their own home again. Here prophane Writers the most of them say nothing to∣wards a resolution, and those that go about it speak, some one thing, some another.

The Scripture hath given us this satisfaction in this matter, that either Cyrus reigned but three years after, or if he lived longer, yet that his in∣gagement in his wars abroad caused him to leave his son Artaxerxes Vice∣roy at home, to rule what he had got, whilest he was busie to conquer more. Either of these two supposed doth serve our purpose, to lead on the times that we have in hand.

Now for the concluding of the one of these the Scripture giveth us this argument: It is said in Ezra 4. vers. 5. that the enemies of the Jews hired counsellors against them all the days of Cyrus, even until the reign of Darius King of Persia, to frustrate their purpose of building the Temple, and at last compassed their desire and design by information to Artaxerxes: Cy∣rus all his days did not plainly or openly revoke, nor cross his own De∣cree, and if he connived at the crossing of it by his Son, his fatal end by Tomyris was but of just reward; but in the beginning of the reign of his son Artaxerxes the enemy had his desire, and the building ceased. Now this was in the third year of Cyrus, Cyrus being either now dead [as Da∣niels vision in Persia, is said to be in the third year of Belshazzar, Dan. 8. Belshazzar being dead a while before, as was observed there] as Artaxerxes governing as Vice-Roy, and the time now reckoned by him, as it is in other places of Scripture the like. For in the third year of Cyrus, Da∣niel mourned three weeks together, nor did he eat any pleasant bread, nor flesh or wine came into his mouth, nor did he annoint himself at all, Dan. 10. 2, 3. And what was the reason? Because of the hindrance of the building of the Temple, for according to Daniels fasting and mourning one

and twenty days the Angel saith, That the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia had withstood him one and twenty; not that an earthly King hath any power over an Angel, but that this new King of Persia by hindring the Temple had hindred those good tidings which otherwise he should have brought; and that the misery of Daniels people was the cause of his afflicti∣on, is apparent by vers. 15. because that when the Angel had told him, that the vision concerning his people was for many days, he is dumb for sor∣row, and his spirit faints within him: so that the stoppage of the Tem∣ples building by Artaxerxes was in Cyrus his third year, in some part of that year, and continued so till the second year of Darius.

3. Now how long this space was is more obscure then the matter before, and that upon these two difficulties. 1. Because we cannot readily deter∣mine what number of Kings came between: And 2. When we have done that, then are we utterly to seek how long a time those Kings reigned: But for answer to these two doubts, to adhere to Scripture, and not to in∣tricate our selves with the various and perplexed relations of the Heathen Writers about the Persian Kings, we shall observe two or three particulars as we go along, and as we have occasion to take them up, and for the present this: That as he that set the building of the Temple afoot again after its long stop, is called both Darius and Artaxerxes, vers. 14, 15. so that he that caused that stop is called both Ahashuerus, and Artaxerxes, Ezra 4. vers. 6, 7. for Artaxerxes was a common name of the Kings of Persia, as Pharaoh was of the Kings of Egypt.

DANIEL X, XI, XII.

DANIEL mourning for the hindrance of the Temple, seeth Christ as John did in Patmos: And hath a Revelation of the condition of his own people, under their powerful Enemies, till the madness of An∣tiochus Epiphanes was over: He should violate the Sanctuary, and cause Re∣ligion and Moses Law to lie in the dirt for a time, two Times, and half a time, or three years and an half, or one thousand two hundred and nine∣ty days; But he that waiteth and liveth to see five and forty days more, or till those one thousand two hundred and ninety days be made up one thousand three hundred and thirty five days, he should see an end of Antiochus.

Artaxerxes Ahashuerus.

[World 3474] [Artax. Ahashuerus 1] The building of the Temple lieth forgot and forlorn by the command of Artaxerxes Ahashuerosh the present King of Persia: Hereupon divers of the Jews that had gone up to Jerusalem in the first of Cyrus, re∣turn back again in this Kings reign, to their old residence in Babylonia or in Persia again.

[Artax. Ahashuerus 2] The building of the Temple lieth still quite forlorn.

ESTHER I.

[World 3476] [Artax. Ahashuerus 3] ARTAXERXES, who was also called Ahashuerosh, after his great Grandfather of the Median blood, Dan. 9. 1. is a greater Poten∣tate and Prince by seven Provinces then Cyrus and Darius were; compare vers. 1. with Dan. 6. 1. To shew and to see his own glory and pomp, he maketh a Feast half a year together to his Nobles, and seven days more to all Susan, and when all this glory of his great com∣mand hath been shewed, he cannot command his own wife, &c.

ESTHER II.

[Artax. Ahashuerus 4] THREE whole years and above is Ahashuerus without a Queen: [Artax. Ahashuerus 5] his servants and officers in several Countries are making inquiry after [Artax. Ahashuerus 6] who may be fit for a Queen for him.

[World 3480] [Artax. Ahashuerus 7] Esther taken into the Kings Palace in the seventh year of his reign, in the tenth month, vers. 16. a Daughter of Benjamin, born for the good of her people; Mordecai had been captived with Jechoniah above seventy years ago, and had been at Jerusalem when the Captivity was sent back to their own Country again, and there had helped forward their settle∣ment and prosperity as long as the work of the Temple would go for∣ward: but when not, he returns to Persia, and there doth his people good in that Court, when he could no longer do it in their own City.

[Artax. Ahashuerus 8] Bigthan and Teresh, two of the Kings Porters hanged for Treason: The matter discovered by Mordecai, and revealed to the King.

ESTHER III.

[Artax. Ahashuerus 9] HAMAN promoted by the King to the highest honour in the [Artax. Ahashuerus 10] Kingdom, obtaineth not one bowing or cringe from [Artax. Ahashuerus 11] Mordecai, Mordecai disdaineth to homage or to shew reverence to an Amalekite; for so Haman was, of the Seed of Agag, whom Samuel hewed to pieces in Gilgal.

[World 3485] [Artax. Ahashuerus 12] Haman would buy all the Jews in the Persian Monarchy for ten thousand Talents of silver, but they are given him for nothing: He goes not about the destruction of them, but first useth direction by Magical Lots: what day fittest to speed of his request, and the Devil allots him the thirteenth of the first month, and what month fittest for the execution, and the Devils Lot telleth him the month Adar.

On the thirteenth day of the first month, Letters are dispatched through all the Provinces of the Monarchy, for the destruction of the Jews at such a time.

ESTHER IV, V.

ALL the Provinces perplexed at the tidings, the Jews in Shushan keep a Fast of three days and three nights long: this time is measured exactly, as the three days and three nights of our Saviours death; for on the third day Esther puts on the Kingdom 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and obtains the Kings favour.

ESTHER VI, VII.

HAMAN prepares a Gallows for himself, and bespeaks Honours for Mordecai; his Wife and friends knew the curse upon Amaleck be∣cause of the Jews, and read his fall.

ESTHER VIII, IX.

ON the twenty third day of the month Sivan, Mordecai and Esther obtain Letters to revoke Hamans bloody purpose; and that the Jews should stand in their own defence against their enemies, which they do at the time appointed for their destruction, and slay 75810 men. The feast of Purim instituted.

ESTHER X.

[Artax. Ahashuerus 13] AFTER this great and wonderful deliverance, and prosperity of the [Artax. Ahashuerus 14] Jews, Artaxerxes, or Ahashuerosh, layeth a Tax upon the whole Em∣pire, but in what year of his reign is uncertain, and how long he reign∣ed after this, is not easily determinable: For the Scripture is utterly silent to express the number of the years of his reign, or any of the Kings of of Persia that come after him, in clear expressions. Of this King it saith no more at all, of the next it mentioneth his second year, Ezra 4. 24. his fourth year, Zech. 7. 1. his sixth year, Ezra 6. 15. his seventh, Ezra 27. 8. his twentieth, Neh. 1. 1. his thirty second, Neh. 13. 6. but how long he reign∣ed further there is no account at all neither.

By collection from other places and passages it may be concluded, and upon very good ground, that this King Artaxerxes Ahashuerosh reigned but fourteen years in all, the ground is this: Because Zechariah in the second year of Darius, doth then but reckon the time of some captivity seventy years. The Angel of the Lord answered, and said, O Lord of Hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem, and on the Cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these seventy years, Zech. 1. 12. And in Chap. 4. there are some people sent from Babel to Jerusalem, and they have this quaere among the rest of the business they came about to speak to the Priests, which were in the house of the Lord of Hosts, and to ask, Should I weep in the fifth month, as I have done these seventy years. Compare ver. 3. & 5. Now from the beginning of the seventy years, or the fourth of Jehoiakim, to the second of Darius, were many years above seventy; namely, the three years of Cyrus, all the years of Ahashuerosh, which were twelve, mentioned in Scripture before his taxing the Empire, and two of Darius himself: eighty seven in all by this account, from the time that the seventy years captivity beginneth to be counted: therefore these seventy years mentioned in Zechary must be counted from some other date, or else there will be exceeding much hardness and impropriety in the speech. Now this date is, from the destruction of Jerusalem, and firing of the Temple in the nineteenth year of Nebuchad-nezzar, to Darius his second, namely, fif∣ty one years of the seventy of Babell, three of Cyrus, fourteen as we sup∣pose of Ahashuerosh, and two of Darius.

For let the Reader but impartially and unbiassed expound those two places in Zechary alledged, and how can he possibly interpret the seventy years there mentioned, of the seventy years mentioned Jeremy 25. 11, 12. & 29. 10. which were expired seventeen years ago, by plain account of Scripture. Especially let him but weigh well the scope and purpose of the seventh Chapter of Zechary, and it will make the date and account that we give of those seventy years to be proper and approveable. In the second year of Darius the Temple, after a long hinderance of the building of it, is begun upon to be built again, and it goes happily forward; thereup∣on the Church at Babell sends to Jerusalem to inquire of the Priests. Now that the Temple is built again shall I fast, and keep solemn days of hu∣miliation,

as I have done these seventy years since the Temple was destroyed. If they had fasted but the seventy years of the captivity, then had they laid down their fasts at the least seventeen years, to the second of Darius, nineteen to the fourth, as Zech. 7. 1. And if they had laid them down so long, while the work and building of the Temple lay forlorn, why should they think of taking them up again, now it went well with that work and building? And if they had continued them all the time of the captivity, and all the time since, why is it called but seventy years, whereas it was at the least eighty seven? Therefore to me it is past all peradventure, that the seventy years there spoken of are counted from the firing of the Tem∣ple to the re-building of it, in the second of Darius, and that this very account doth necessarily allot fourteen years reign to Artaxerxes Aha∣shuerosh, that hindered it, to make up this sum: As we observed the like necessary allowing of seventeen years to Joshua, upon the result of a gross sum, where all the rest of the sum is cleared by particulars but only those seventeen: And with this computation that we have given, how pregnantly and properly doth agree that reckoning of the Angel Gabriel, of seven times seven years, or forty nine years from Cyrus his decree of building Jerusalem, to the finishing of it; as we shall observe at the thirty second year of Darius? But the Reader will there see it readily enough of himself, without any notice.

[World 3488] [Artaxerxes Ahashuerosh 1] After Artaxerxes Ahashuerus the husband of Esther, reigned Artaxerxes Darius, falsly supposed by the Jews to be his son: Probably the same with Darius Hystaspis in Heathen Authors; called the King of Assyria, Ezra 6. 22.

EZRA V. vers. 1. And HAGGAI I.

[World 3489] [Artaxerxes Ahashuerosh 2] IN this second year of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, Haggai beginneth to Prophesie, and checketh the peoples not caring to build the Temple; especially those hireling Jews that are spoken of, Ezra 4. 5. that were bribed by the Enemy, to give councel against the building, and that were still saying, The time is not yet come that the house should be built.

On the twenty fourth day of the same month, the preparation for the building begins; with the twelfth verse of Hag. 1. read Ezra 5. vers. 2.

HAGGAI II. to vers. 10.

IN the seventh month, on the twenty one day of the month, Haggai foretels the glory of this second Temple; and speaketh this to divers that had seen Solomons Temple standing.

ZECHARY I. to vers. 7.

IN the eighth month Zechary begins to prophesie.

HAGGAI II. from vers. 10. to the end.

IN the ninth month, on the twenty fourth day of it, they begin to lay stones in the Temple wall, and to raise the building: For from the twenty fourth day of the sixth Month they had only prepared materials. On this day Haggai hath two Prophesies.

ZECHARY I. from vers. 7. to end. And CHAP. II, III, IV, V, VI.

IN the eleventh month, on the fourteenth day, Zechary seeth Christ riding on a Horse, and Angels like Horses attending him: He seeth a vision of four horns, that should seek to scatter Judah, Rehum, Shimshai, Tatnai, Shether Bosnai, and four carpenters to break those horns, Zoro∣babel, Joshua, Ezra, Nehemiah: He seeth Jerusalem ready to be measured, but let alone because the compass of it should be boundless: He seeth the garments of the High Priesthood tattered and poor, but new ones found out by the Lord, in figure of a glorious Ministry under the Gospel; Christ the corner stone with seven Eyes. The Church, seven golden Can∣dlesticks; and the ministry of the Church of Jews and Gentiles, two Olive Trees, emptying themselves into those Candlesticks; A flying roll of the length and breadth of the porch of the Temple, full of curses; wick∣edness in an Ephah [the greatest measure in use setled in Babylon, &c.

EZRA V. from vers. 3. to end. And VI. to vers. 14.

[Artaxerxes Darius 3] THE Enemies of the Jews under a pretended officiousness to the King, but upon an intent malice against the Temple, by Letters to Darius, seek to hinder it, but by a special providence it proves occasion of the more advancing of it: Hitherto had the Jews built only upon the incou∣ragement of the Prophets, Haggai and Zechary, now they have a Commissi∣on from the King.

ZECHARY VII, VIII.

[World 3491] [Artaxerxes Darius 4] IN the fourth year of Darius, in the ninth month which is Chisleu, on the fourth day of the month, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The Congregation in Babel sent to Jerusalem to inquire concerning their Fasts, whether they should continue them, now the Temple was begun, and was so forward in building, or lay them down.

They used these several Fasts:

First, In the fourth month, because then the City broken up, Jerem. 52. 6.

Secondly, In the fifth month, because in that month the Temple was fi∣red, 2 King. 25. 8.

Thirdly, In the seventh month, because in that Gedaliah was slain, and all the Jews with him scattered, Jer. 41. 1.

Fourthly, In the tenth month, Zech. 8. 19. because in that month the siege began about Jerusalem, 2 King. 25. 1.

So that by the intent and occasion of all those solemn Fasts, which re∣ferred all of them to the last and final stroke and ruine of Jerusalem by the Babilonian, and nothing at all to the first Captivity of Jehoiakim, or Jechoniah, it is apparent that the seventy years mentioned to have been the length of these solemn days and duties are to be understood and reckoned from the very same time and occasion, as was observed before.

[Artaxerxes Darius 5] The Temple goeth well forward, and the work receiveth no interrupti∣on, but prospereth.

EZRA CHAP. VI. from vers. 14. to the end.

[World 3493] [Artax. Darius 6] IN the sixth year of Darius, on the third day of the month Adar, the Temple is finished, and the Dedication of it solemnly kept.

EZRA VII, VIII.

[World 3494] [Artax. Darius 7] ON the first day of this seventh year of Darius, Ezra setteth up from Babylon to go to Jerusalem, Ezra 7. ver. 9.

On the ninth, tenth, and eleventh days he musters his Company, and keeps a Fast at the River Ahava, Ezra 8. ver. 15, 23.

On the twelfth day he beginneth to march, ver. 31.

On the fourteenth day the Passover is solemnly kept at Jerusalem.

Ezra cometh to Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, or the month Ab, and on the fourth day delivereth out upon weight all the Gold and Silver that he had brought with him for an Offering, from the King, from his Princes, and from Israel in Babel.

Ezra was Uncle to Joshua that was now High Priest, Chap. 7. 1. with 1 Chron. 6. 14. His father Seraiah was slain at the sacking of Jerusalem, 2 King. 25. 18. seventy five years ago. Ezra was then very young, if so be he were then born.

EZRA IX, X.

REST and prosperity, which the returned Jews have a little injoy∣ed, hath bred corruption amongst them, by making mixt Marriages with the Nations amongst whom they lived. This, Ezra reformeth, and causeth them to put away their Wives; which were a great multitude; only four men opposed the business, two Levites, and two others: and to such a sence is vers. 15. of Chap. 10. to be read; Onely Jonathan the son of Asahel, and Jahaziah the son of Tiknah, stood against this matter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and Meshullan and Shabbethai helped them, weigh vers. 16. and it inforceth this translation.

The meeting about this matter was on the twentieth day of the ninth month, and then they chose Elders to see the work carried on: they be∣gin to sit upon it the first day of the tenth month, and have finished the business by the first day of the first month, Chap. 10. 14, 16, 17.

This matter was done in the seventh year of Darius, or Artaxerxes, the same year that Ezra came to Jerusalem, as the Text seemeth to carry it on, unless by the strange writing of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vers. 16. the Holy Ghost would hint Darius his tenth. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Let the learned judge.

ZECHARY IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV.

[Artax. Darius 8] FROM this action of Ezra, of reforming their mixt Marriages, which [Artax. Darius 9] most likely was in Darius his seventh, there is a silence of any thing [Artax. Darius 10] done till Darius his twentieth, and then Nehemiah begins to stir. In this [Artax. Darius 11] time therefore, which was the space of twelve years, we may very well con∣ceive [Artax. Darius 12] that Zachary was prophe••ying among the people, and helping forward the [Artax. Darius 13] Reformation: and since there is no date to direct us otherwise we may [Artax. Darius 14] very well take up his 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Chapters, in which he Pro∣phesieth [Artax. Darius 15] very plainly and fully of many things concerning Christ, and the [Artax. Darius 16] time of his coming: as of the Conversion of Paul, and the Gospel begin∣ning [Artax. Darius 17] at Hadrach and Damascus, and of Antioch in Hamath, intertaining the [Artax. Darius 18] Gospel of Christ riding into Jerusalem upon an Ass, Chap. 9. 1, 9. of his [Artax. Darius 19] confounding the three Shepherds the Pharisees, Saduces, and Esseans: his being ••old for thirty pieces of Silver, Chap. 11. 8. 12. his Disciples scatter∣ed, Chap. 13. 7. divers of Jerusalem mourning over him whom they peirced, Chap. 12. and the rest, and their City and Temple perishing through unbe∣lief, Chap. 11. 1. &c.

NEHEMIAH all the Book, Chap. 13. vers. 7.

[World 3507] [Artax. Darius 20] IN the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Darius, in the month Chisleu, Ne∣hemiah understandeth the miserable case of Jerusalem, and in the month Nisan following he obtaineth leave of the King to go to Jerusalem, and a Commission and a Convoy. Here observe, that Chisleu the ninth month, and Nisan following which was the first month, are both in the twentieth year of Darius, Chap. 1. 1. and Chap. 2. 1.

[Artax. Darius 21] Nehemiah is twelve years governour of Judea, before he return again to [Artax. Darius 22] Persia to the King, in that time he builds the wall of Jerusalem, fills it, [Artax. Darius 23] and settles it with Inhabitants; brings the people into order, and into a [Artax. Darius 24] Covenant, and Jerusalem into habitableness in safety: And having finished [Artax. Darius 25] all that was needful for the constituting of the City, and the people in [Artax. Darius 26] peace and piety, he returneth at the end of twelve years, or in the two [Artax. Darius 27] and thirtieth year of the King, according as he had appointed, Chap. 13. [Artax. Darius 28] 6. and from that year if we count backward to the first of Cyrus, you [Artax. Darius 29] have the sum of seven times seven, or forty nine years, the term that the [Artax. Darius 30] Angel had pointed out for the building of Jerusalem, City and wall, Dan. [Artax. Darius 31] 9. 25. viz. of Cyrus three years, of Ahashuerosh fourteen years, and of this Darius thirty two. And thus far goeth the Old Testament in telling the years of the Story as it goeth along; and further then this thirty two of Darius it counteth not by named sums. And this very consideration doth confirm me in this reckoning of the years of these Persian Kings; for I can∣not but conclude, that the Holy Ghost naming the several years of these Kings hitherto, intendeth to continue the Chronicle till this time of Jeru∣salems compleating, and there to end the Annals.

In the seventh Chapter of this Book, which giveth account of the num∣ber, and the families of the people that planted Judea after the Captivi∣ty, you will find exceeding much difference from the Catalogue in Ezra 2. though this is said by the Text to be the same: for the fifth verse saith thus, I found a Book of the Genealogy of them that came up at the first, and found written therein, &c. but the matter is to be conceived and apprehended

thus: That Nehemiah found that List and Catalogue of those that came up in the first of Cyrus, as it was taken then; and that he called over the names of the Families as they lay in order there: He observed the order of that List in calling and listing them, but he took the number of them as they were now when he numbred them: Some Families were now more in number then they were when that first List was made, and some were less, and some that were in that List were not to be found now; for some had more of the same Stock come out of Babel since the first numbering, and some that had come up at first and were then numbred were now gone back, and so he observeth by comparing that List, and the present number, how the Plantation in Judea had gone forward or backward, increased or decayed since the first return.

[World 3519] [Artax. Darius 32] Nehemiah returneth to the King again, Chap. 13. 6. and here the Chroni∣cle of the Old Testament ends.

NEHEM. XIII. from vers. 7. to the end.

NEHEMIAH, after his absence from Jerusalem [which how long it was is uncertain] when he returneth thither again, findeth things exceedingly out of order, which he seeketh to reform: He lived after this to the times of Darius the last King of Persia, for he speaks of him, Chap. 12. 22. and of Jaddua the High Priest, who met Alexander the Great when he came to Jerusalem, and to whom Alexander shewed so great respect as Jose∣phus reporteth, Antiq. Lib. 11. Caput. ult.

Ezra liveth also near towards the times of Jaddua, for he wrote the Book of Chronicles in the time of Johanan, Jaddua's father, Nehem. 12. 23. and so he lived well towards the expiration of the Persian Monarchy: He was born at the least fifty years before Cyrus first; and from thence to Darius his thirty second, were forty nine years, an hundred in all within one: And after that he weareth out the time of one High Priest, namely, Joi∣ada, and writeth in the time of Johanan or Jonathan, the next High Priest after him: This consideration also helpeth to confirm that account of the times and Kings that we have given from Cyrus hither.