Nisan. The first month (Abib, Exodus 12:2, &c), called Nisan after the Captivity. This was four months after receiving the news (see App-51.)
the twentieth year. The "seventy sevens" of Daniel 9:24-27 begin here (454 B.C.) The "seven sevens" (Daniel 9:25), or forty-nine years begin here, and end in 405 B.C.; marked by the completion and dedication of the second Temple. The "threescore and two sevens" (Daniel 9:26), or 434 years begin (or rather, follow on) in 405 B. C, and end in A.D. 29, the year of the Cross. The last "seven "is therefore, still future. The first four of the "seven sevens" ended in 426 B. C, marked by the Decree of Cyrus, which ended the Babylonian Servitude of seventy years. See App-50, App-57,and App-58.
Artaxerxes. the great king. An appellative (like Pharaoh, Czar, &c.) used of several kings of Persia. Synonymous with Artachshast (Arta. great, and Kshatza. king, preserved in the modern "Shah"). See App-57 and App-58. This Artaxerxes was the great king ASTYAGES (of Herodotus), and ARSAMES (of Darius Hystaspis' Inscription), the husband of Esther, and father of Cyrus. He was also the Ahasuerus of Esther 1:1, which means "the venerable king"; and he was also the "Darius the Mede" of Ezra 6:14 and Daniel 5:31. See App-57 and App-58.
wine. Hebrew. yayin. See App-27.