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The Second Book Of Esdras - Also Known As - THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAS - From The Douay-Rheims Bible - Latin Vulgate

Chapter 4

INTRODUCTION.

This Book takes its name from the writer, who was cup-bearer to Artaxerxes, (surnamed Longimanus) king of Persia, and was sent by him with a commission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It is also called the Second Book of Esdras, because it is a continuation of the history begun by Esdras, of the state of the people of God after their return from captivity. Ch. --- Genebrard believes that the latter wrote the work. But how long must he thus have lived? and how come the lists to vary so much? C. --- We may allow that these variations are owing to the mistakes of transcribers, (1 Esd. ii. 1.) for the writer of both works was certainly inspired. Esdras lived a long time along with Nehemias; (C. xii. 35.) and he may have left memorials, as well as the latter, from which the present work seems to be compiled. H. --- Some additions have been made since the days of Nehemias, articularly C. xii. to v. 26, or at least (C.) the five last of these verses. Capel. Chron. --- The passage cited from the commentaries of Nehemias, (2 Mac. ii. 13.) is not to be found here; which shews that we have not his entire work, but only an abridgment, in which the author has adopted his words, with some few alterations. The fifth chapter seems to be out of its place, and also the dedication of the walls. C. xii. 27. Nehemias was a person in great favour at the court of Persia; and of high birth, probably of the royal family, (Euseb. Isid. Genebrard in Chron.) as most of the ancients believe that all who governed, till the time of the Asmoneans, were of the tribe of Juda. Hence he styles Hanani his brother, (C. i. 2.) and declines entering into the temple. C. vi. 11. His name never occurs among the priests; and though we read 2 Mac. i. 18. 21, jussit sacerdos Nehemias, (T.) the Greek has, "Nehemias order the priests;" iereiV: (C. Huet. D.) and the title of priest sometimes is given to laymen at the head of affairs. H. --- In this character Nehemias appeared, by order of Artaxerxes: and notwithstanding the obstructions of the enemies of Juda, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, and returned after twelve years to court, making a second visit to his own country, a little before the death of the king, whom he probably survived only one year, dying A. 3580, about thirty years after he had been appointed governor. C. --- In the two first chapters, we behold his solicitude for the welfare of his country, in the ten following his success, and in the last what abuses he corrected. W. --- He renewed the covenant with God, (C. ix. and x.) sent for the sacred fire, and established a library at Jerusalem. 2 Mac. i. 19. 34. and ii. 13. H.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin. HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY

This Catholic commentary on the Old Testament, following the Douay-Rheims Bible text, was originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). This transcription is based on Haydock's notes as they appear in the 1859 edition of Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary printed by Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Changes made to the original text for this transcription include the following:

Greek letters. The original text sometimes includes Greek expressions spelled out in Greek letters. In this transcription, those expressions have been transliterated from Greek letters to English letters, put in italics, and underlined. The following substitution scheme has been used: A for Alpha; B for Beta; G for Gamma; D for Delta; E for Epsilon; Z for Zeta; E for Eta; Th for Theta; I for Iota; K for Kappa; L for Lamda; M for Mu; N for Nu; X for Xi; O for Omicron; P for Pi; R for Rho; S for Sigma; T for Tau; U for Upsilon; Ph for Phi; Ch for Chi; Ps for Psi; O for Omega. For example, where the name, Jesus, is spelled out in the original text in Greek letters, Iota-eta-sigma-omicron-upsilon-sigma, it is transliterated in this transcription as, Iesous. Greek diacritical marks have not been represented in this transcription.

Footnotes. The original text indicates footnotes with special characters, including the astrisk (*) and printers' marks, such as the dagger mark, the double dagger mark, the section mark, the parallels mark, and the paragraph mark. In this transcription all these special characters have been replaced by numbers in square brackets, such as [1], [2], [3], etc.

Accent marks. The original text contains some English letters represented with accent marks. In this transcription, those letters have been rendered in this transcription without their accent marks.

Other special characters.

Solid horizontal lines of various lengths that appear in the original text have been represented as a series of consecutive hyphens of approximately the same length, such as ---.

Ligatures, single characters containing two letters united, in the original text in some Latin expressions have been represented in this transcription as separate letters. The ligature formed by uniting A and E is represented as Ae, that of a and e as ae, that of O and E as Oe, and that of o and e as oe.

Monetary sums in the original text represented with a preceding British pound sterling symbol (a stylized L, transected by a short horizontal line) are represented in this transcription with a following pound symbol, l.

The half symbol (1/2) and three-quarters symbol (3/4) in the original text have been represented in this transcription with their decimal equivalent, (.5) and (.75) respectively.

Unreadable text. Places where the transcriber's copy of the original text is unreadable have been indicated in this transcription by an empty set of square brackets, [].

Chapter 4

The building is carried on notwithstanding the opposition of their enemies.

[1] And it came to pass, that when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall he was angry: and being moved exceedingly he scoffed at the Jews.

Factum est autem, cum audisset Sanaballat quod aedificaremus murum, iratus est valde : et motus nimis subsannavit Judaeos,

[2] And said before his brethren, and the multitude of the Samaritans: What are the silly Jews doing? Will the Gentiles let them alone? will they sacrifice and make an end in a day? are they able to raise stones out of the heaps of the rubbish, which are burnt?

et dixit coram fratribus suis, et frequentia Samaritanorum : Quid Judaei faciunt imbecilles? num dimittent eos gentes? num sacrificabunt, et complebunt in una die? numquid aedificare poterunt lapides de acervis pulveris, qui combusti sunt?

[3] Tobias also the Ammonite who was by him said: Let them build: if a fox go up, he will leap over their stone wall.

Sed et Tobias Ammanites proximus ejus, ait : Aedificent : si ascenderit vulpes, transiliet murum eorum lapideum.

[4] Hear thou our God, for we are despised: turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them to be despised in a land of captivity.

Audi, Deus noster, quia facti sumus despectui : converte opprobrium super caput eorum, et da eos in despectionem in terra captivitatis.

[5] Cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thy face, because they have mocked thy builders.

Ne operias iniquitatem eorum, et peccatum eorum coram facie tua non deleatur, quia irriserunt aedificantes.

[6] So we built the wall, and joined it all together unto the half thereof: and the heart of the people was excited to work.

Itaque aedificavimus murum, et conjunximus totum usque ad partem dimidiam : et provocatum est cor populi ad operandum.

[7] And it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Azotians heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and the breaches began to be closed, that they were exceedingly angry.

Factum est autem, cum audisset Sanaballat, et Tobias, et Arabes, et Ammanitae, et Azotii, quod obducta esset cicatrix muri Jerusalem, et quod coepissent interrupta concludi, irati sunt nimis.

[8] And they all assembled themselves together, to come, and to fight against Jerusalem, and to prepare ambushes.

Et congregati sunt omnes pariter ut venirent, et pugnarent contra Jerusalem, et molirentur insidias.

[9] And we prayed to our God, and set watchmen upon the wall day and night against them.

Et oravimus Deum nostrum, et posuimus custodes super murum die ac nocte contra eos.

[10] And Juda said: The strength of the bearer of burdens is decayed, and the rubbish is very much, and we shall not be able to build the wall.

Dixit autem Judas : Debilitata est fortitudo portantis, et humus nimia est, et nos non poterimus aedificare murum.

[11] And our enemies said: Let them not know, nor understand, till we come in the midst of them, and kill them, and cause the work to cease.

Et dixerunt hostes nostri : Nesciant, et ignorent donec veniamus in medium eorum, et interficiamus eos, et cessare faciamus opus.

[12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews that dwelt by them came and told us ten times, out of all the places from whence they came to us,

Factum est autem venientibus Judaeis, qui habitabant juxta eos, et dicentibus nobis per decem vices, ex omnibus locis quibus venerant ad nos,

[13] I set the people in the place behind the wall round about in order, with their swords, and spears, and bows.

statui in loco post murum per circuitum populum in ordinem cum gladiis suis, et lanceis, et arcubus.

[14] And I looked and rose up: and I said to the chief men and the magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: be not afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, and your wives, and your houses.

Et perspexi atque surrexi : et aio ad optimates et magistratus, et ad reliquam partem vulgi : Nolite timere a facie eorum : Domini magni et terribilis mementote, et pugnate pro fratribus vestris, filiis vestris, et filiabus vestris, et uxoribus vestris, et domibus vestris.

[15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that the thing had been told us, that God defeated their counsel. And we returned all of us to the walls, every man to his work.

Factum est autem, cum audissent inimici nostri nuntiatum esse nobis, dissipavit Deus consilium eorum. Et reversi sumus omnes ad muros, unusquisque ad opus suum.

[16] And it came to pass from that day forward, that half of their young men did the work, and half were ready for to fight, with spears, and shields, and bows, and coats of mail, and the rulers were behind them in all the house of Juda.

Et factum est a die illa, media pars juvenum eorum faciebat opus, et media parata erat ad bellum, et lanceae, et scuta, et arcus, et loricae, et principes post eos in omni domo Juda,

[17] Of them that built on the wall and that carried burdens, and that laded: with one of his hands he did the work, and with the other he held a sword.

aedificantium in muro, et portantium onera, et imponentium : una manu sua faciebat opus, et altera tenebat gladium :

[18] For every one of the builders was girded with a sword about his reins. And they built, and sounded with a trumpet by me.

aedificentium enim unusquisque gladio erat accinctus renes. Et aedificabant, et clangebant buccina juxta me.

[19] And I said to the nobles, and to the magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: The work is great and wide, and we are separated on the wall one far from another:

Et dixi ad optimates, et ad magistratus, et ad reliquam partem vulgi : Opus grande est et latum, et nos separati sumus in muro procul alter ab altero :

[20] In what place soever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, run all thither unto us: our God will fight for us.

in loco quocumque audieritis clangorem tubae, illuc concurrite ad nos : Deus noster pugnabit pro nobis.

[21] And let us do the work: and let one half of us hold our spears from the rising of the morning, till the stars appear.

Et nos ipsi faciamus opus : et media pars nostrum teneat lanceas ab ascensu aurorae donec egrediantur astra.

[22] At that time also I said to the people: Let every one with his servant stay in the midst of Jerusalem, and let us take our turns in the night, and by day, to work.

In tempore quoque illo dixi populo : Unusquisque cum puero suo maneat in medio Jerusalem, et sint nobis vices per noctem et diem ad operandum.

[23] Now I and my brethren, and my servants, and the watchmen that followed me, did not put off our clothes: only every man stripped himself when he was to be washed.

Ego autem et fratres mei, et pueri mei, et custodes, qui erant post me, non deponebamus vestimenta nostra : unusquisque tantum nudabatur ad baptismum.

Commentary:

Ver. 2. Multitude. Heb. and Sept. "army." C. --- Silly. Lit. "feeble." H. --- Sacrifice, at the dedication. T. --- Day, in so short a time, as their present vigorous proceedings seem to promise, notwithstanding their feeble condition, and the paucity of their numbers. H. --- But no: we shall have time enough to hinder them, (M.) if the nature of their materials do it not for us. H. --- Raise. Heb. "revive;" a word used for reparations of walls, &c. C. Delrio, adag. 221. --- Sept. "heal." God's providence did not permit the enemy to rage, till the work was greatly advanced; so infidels laugh at the attempts of your priests to restore religion, which nevertheless flourishes. W.

Ver. 3. Leap over. Heb. Sept. &c. "break down." C. --- Bitter sarcasm, which excites the indignation of Nehemias! T.

Ver. 4. Captivity. Since they have not learnt to commiserate others. C.

Ver. 5. Face. Punish the obstinate. T. --- He does not wish that they may continue impenitent. C. --- But, on that supposition, he approves of the divine justice, and foretells what will happen. E. --- Revenge was equally criminal under the old law, as it is at present. But the servants of God express their approbation (C.) of his inscrutable counsels. The imperative in Heb. is often used for the future tense. H. --- Mocked. Prot. "provoked thee...before the builders." Sept. omit most of this and the following verses; having only, "Do not hide thyself, with respect to wickedness." H.

Ver. 6. Thereof, all round; as masons were stationed in different parts, (v. 19.) and not barely on one side of the city. C. --- Tobias alludes to the present lowness of the walls, v. 3. H.

Ver. 8. Together, to the number of 180,000, according to the Jews; who say that they were terrified, at the excommunication pronounced by 300 priests against them, while 300 young men sounded trumpets; and they fled, leaving Nehemias at liberty to continue the work. It is a pity that we have no foundation for this in Scripture. C. See 1 Esd. iv. 3. H. --- The Samaritans durst not openly attack the Jews, who were under the protection of the Persian monarch. But they endeavoured clandestinely to injure them, (T.) and to prepare ambushes. H.

Ver. 10. Juda. Some of the Jews, (M.) who were dispirited at the greatness of the work and the threats of the enemy. --- Burdens. Sept. "of the enemies." Arab. "the Jews were strengthened, there were many porters, but they could not finish the work." C. --- Rubbish to be removed. T.

Ver. 12. Ten times, frequently. M. --- Places, among the Cuthites. --- Whence they. Prot. "ye return unto us, they will be upon you." Heb. the second person is put for the third, which occurs in the Sept. &c. though they refer it to the enemy. "They come up from all places against us." H. --- De Dieu would translate, "return to us," cultivate the friendship of Sanaballat; or "return home," and leave off this work. The sense of the Vulg. is the most easy, and the best. C.

Ver. 13. Place. Heb. adds, "below." --- Round. Heb. "on the hills." H. --- To remove the apparent contradiction, (C.) Prot. supply, "and on the higher places." Sept. "in lurking holes," skepeinoi V.

Ver. 14. Remember. These are the most powerful arguments to encourage an army. H.

Ver. 16. Their. Heb. "my servants," (M.) half of whom only wrought, while the rest stood guard. If we adhere to the Vulg. we must suppose that Nehemias altered his first plan, and ordered almost all to be ready to fight or to labour, as occasion might require, v. 17. C. --- In. "Over, (H.) or behind all the family of Juda," (Vatab.) encouraging the people by word, and sometimes by example. T. M.

Ver. 17. Sword. Heb. "dart." C. --- The expression seems to be proverbial. So Ovid makes Canacea speak, "My right hand holds the pen, my left the sword;" (H.) while I write, I am on the point of killing myself. C.

Dextra tenet calamum, strictum tenet altera ferrum. Ep. Her.

Ver. 18. By me, when the enemy appeared. M.

Ver. 20. For us. Yet we must act with prudence and courage. H.

Ver. 22. Midst. Before they had gone home. C. --- Let us. Prot. "that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day." H.

Ver. 23. Clothes, even to sleep. --- Only. Sept. Compl. "man and his arms to the water." H. --- They went armed to fetch water; (Malvenda) or they had their armour and water always at hand. Junius, &c. --- Heb. "each kept his dart at the water." It may have various senses. C. - Prot. agree with the Vulg. "saving that every one put them off for washing" (H.) them, or themselves. T.

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