Ezr 6:6-12 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 6 Be ye far from thence - Do not interrupt the Jews in their building; but, on the contrary further them all in your power.

Ezra 6:6-12

Verse 6

Be ye far from thence - Do not interrupt the Jews in their building; but, on the contrary further them all in your power. Verse 10

And pray for the life of the king, and of his sons - Even heathens believed that offerings made in their behalf to the God of the Jews would be available. And this principle has had considerable influence in certain states where there was even a form of religion established by the law, to induce them to tolerate other forms, that the state might have the benefit of their prayers. Verse 11

Let timber be pulled down - Whether this refers to the punishment of hanging and gibbeting of whipping at a post, or of empaling, is not quite clear. In China they tie culprits to posts; and the executioner cuts them open while alive, takes out their bowels, etc. Empaling, thrusting a sharp stake through the body till it comes out at the side of the neck, or hanging, seems to be intended here.

Let his house be made a dunghill - Let it be reduced to ruins, and never more used, except for the most sordid and unclean purposes.