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Mat_2:16. Ἐνεπαίχθη ] mocked, made a fool of. Sophocles, Ant. 794; Lucian, Trag. 331; Jacobs, ad Anthol. XI. p. 108; Luk_18:32; and frequently in N. T., LXX., and Apocrypha. The words are from Herod’s point of view.
ἀπὸ διετοῦς ] Whether this is to be taken as masculine, a bienni, from two years onwards (Syr., Ar., Erasmus, Beza, Bengel, Fritzsche, Bleek), or as neuter, a bimatu, from the age of two years (Vulg., Castalio, Calvin, Er. Schmid, Rosenmüller, Gratz), is not determined by the similar passages, Num_1:3; Num_20:29; Numbers 3 Esdr. Mat_8:1; 1Ch_27:23; 2Ch_31:16. It is in favour, however, of the latter view, that although several are spoken of, yet the singular always stands (not ἀπὸ διετῶν ); so likewise the analogy of ἐπὶ διετές , Dem. 1135. 4; Aesch. in Ctes. 122; ἐπὶ τριετές , Arist. H. A. v. 14. Comp. likewise Arist. H. A. ii. 1, and ἀπὸ τριετοῦς , Plat. Legg. vii. p. 794 A.
καὶ κατωτέρω ] (beginning) from two years old and (continuing) downwards. The opposite expression is: καὶ ἐπάνω (Num_1:3; 2Ch_31:16). The boys of two years old and younger, in order the more unfailingly to attain his purpose.
ἠκρίβωσε ] he had obtained precise knowledge (Mat_2:7). He had therefore ascertained from the Magi that, agreeably to the time of the appearance of the star, the child could not be more than two years old at the most.
ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτ .] The houses and courts outside of Bethlehem which yet belonged to its borders.