Yieldeth much increase. — In money and kind a very large amount was sent by Syria to the Persian treasury.
Over our bodies, and over our cattle. — For military service; but the priests do not omit themselves.
In great distress. — Not so much under the Persian yoke as in the remembrance of God’s judgments. The pathetic comparison between the Divine purpose in giving the land originally and their present bondage in it extends almost to every word.