John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Then asked we those elders , etc.] The elders of the province of Judea; the chief men of it: who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls ? (see Ezra 5:3).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-17 - While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourag us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let u learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope tha is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew אדין116 שׁאלנא7593 לשׂביא7868 אלך479 כנמא3660 אמרנא560 להם מן4479 שׂם7761 לכם טעם2942 ביתא1005 דנה1836 למבניה1124 ואשׁרנא846 דנה1836 לשׁכללה׃3635
