F. Charles Fensham - Ezra and Nehemiah

R. K. HARRISON

(1968-1993)

ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR.

(1994)

by

F. CHARLES FENSHAM

In memory of Jacobus Arnoldus Theron, in gratitude.

When requested to write a commentary for NICOT on Ezra-Nehemiah, I accepted only reluctantly because up to that time my research concentrated mainly on the early period of Israelite history. However, in my lectures on Biblical Aramaic I had occasion to study certain aspects of postexilic times. I immediately decided to dedicate attention to the study of the late period. And what a wonderful experience it was! The history of the Persians in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C., their customs, their legal system, their tolerant attitude against their subjects (although not all of them were so tolerant), their religion, and so on are interesting material to study. Furthermore, an examination of Old Persian opens a fresh view of the speakers of the language. The best way to understand a people, ancient or modern, is to understand their language. By applying the study of the Persians to Ezra-Nehemiah, one becomes aware more than once that those things which are regarded by some scholars as not of Persian origin, although ascribed to them, are perfectly in accordance with Persian customs.

In this commentary the footnotes cite as far as possible the latest views or the latest interpretation of older views. Older publications are cited only when absolutely necessary, because the latest commentaries incorporate all the more important older views.

While working on such an important project on the word of God, one becomes aware of the value of one's former professors. More than once I have thought of Prof. Adrianus van Selms, who wrote a Dutch commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah. He is a keen observer and has a brilliant mind. Also, as every student who studied under him, I will never forget the towering figure of Prof. William F. Albright. the most brilliant scholar I have ever met and one who had a profound influence on me. Naturally I do not want to place responsibility for any of the results of this study on them.

I want to thank Dr. Walter Claassen, Dr. Hannes Olivier, and Mr. Paul Kruger for carrying a heavy load of work while I had my sabbatical to write this commentary. My heartiest thanks to Mrs. Hannetjie Louw, our secretary, for typing this book.

This commentary is dedicated to my father-in-law, Mr. J. A. Theron, who died while I worked on this project. His interest and love for the word of God were two of his distinctive characteristics.

F. CHARLES FENSHAM

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