lence of Scripture with respect to intercalation), and when we further consider that this year was undoubtedly used at Babylon when Daniel wrote (as appears from the chronology of the era of Nabonassar), we have every reason to conclude that the years of the seventy weeks are solar years. Nor is this all by a parity of argument we must likewise conclude, that the 1260 years and the years of every numerical prophecy are either individually solar years, or collectively solar years.

3. The importance of the preceding discussion in an inquiry like the present is manifest. If the years of the seventy weeks are to be estimated as equivalent to solar years, which I think has been proved with as much evidence as matters of this nature are capable of, no interpretation of the prophecy, which is founded on the system of lunar or abbreviated years of either description, can be deemed admissible.

Ja

Janty 24 # 1848

CHAPTER

CHAPTER II.

Concerning the chronology of the decrees enacted by the kings of Persia for the rebuilding of the temple and city of Jerusalem and for the resto ration of the civil and ecclesiastical polity of Judah.

THE next point to be considered is the chronology of the different decrees enacted by the kings of Persia for the rebuilding of the city and temple of Jerusalem and for the restoration of the civil and ecclesiastical polity of Judah; because from one of these we are directed to compute the seventy weeks.

I. It has generally been said, that four decrees for these several purposes were enacted: the first, by Cyrus in the first year of his reign*; the second, by Darius about the third or fourth year of his reignt; the third, by Artaxerxes in the seventh year

Ezra i. 1-4.

of

Ezra vi. 1-12. Ezra does not positively say in what year of Darius this decree was enacted: he only tells us, that

the

of his reign*; and the fourth, by the same Artaxerxes in the twentieth year of his reignt. I am unable however to discover more than three. Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes in the seventh year of his reign, are expressly said each to have enacted a decree‡; and their several decrees are formerly recited in the regular shape of legal instruments: but no mention is made of any decree having been enacted by Artaxerxes in the twentieth year of his reign. The whole that appears to have then passed betweeen the king and Nehemiah was this-Nehemiah, grieved to find the business of rebuilding the city proceed so slowly, notwithstanding the edicts of Cyrus and Darius, requests permission of the king to go to Jerusalem, in order that he may superintend and expedite the work. The king in

the work of the house of God ceased unto the second year of his reign (Ezra iv. 24). The Jews then resuming the work, Tatnai, Shethar-Boznai, and the Apharsachites, wrote to the king to learn whether any edict of Cyrus gave them authority to do so. Darius, having ascertained the existence of such a decree, confirmed it by a new one of his own. It may however be collected from Haggai i. 1, 15. ii. 1, 10. and Zechar. i. 1, 7. vii. 1. viii. 2, 3, that the edict of Darius was enacted in the third year of his reign, and brought to Jerusalem at the beginning of the fourth year. See Prideaux's Connect. Part i. b. iii. p. 187-191.

*

Ezra vii. 11-26.

Nehem. ii. 1-9.

Ezra i. 1. v. 13, 17-Ezra vi. 1-Ezra vii. 13, 21.

quires how long he wishes to be absent. Neheiniah fixes the time. The king gives his consent. Nehemiah desires to have passports to the governors beyond the river, and an order upon Asaph the keeper of the royal forests for the requisite quantity of timber. The king assents to all his wishes; and Nehemiah forthwith proceeds to Jerusalem-Throughout the whole of this transaction no mention is made of any new decree being enacted; the king seems merely to grant permission to Nehemiah to put the former edicts more effectually in force, nor does Nehemiah request any thing else of the Persian sovereign. But let the history speak for itself.

"And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in "the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that "wine was before him: and I took up the wine, " and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been "before time sad in his presence.

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Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? This is nothing else "but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore "afraid, and said unto the king, Let the king live "for ever: why should not my countenance be "sad, when the city the place of my fathers' sepul"chres lieth waste, and the gates thereof are con"sumed with fire? Then the king said unto me, "For what dost thou make request? So I prayed

"to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, "If it please the king, and if thy servant have "found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send

me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' scpulchres, that I may build it. And the king said. "unto me, the queen also setting by him, For how

long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou "return? So it pleased the king to send me, and "I set him a time. Moreover, I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; and a "letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, "that he may give me timber to make beams for "the gates of the palace which appertained to the

"to

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house, and for the wall of the city, and for the "house that I shall enter into. And the king "granted me, according to the good hand of my "God upon me. Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's

In all this account I can perceive nothing like the enacting of any decree; nor is there the least hint given elsewhere that a decree was then enacted: it is merely said, what exactly quadrates with the account itself, that Nehemiah was appointed