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Ezra 6

Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the king's house:

And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Moreover I made a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,

And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

What does Ezra 6:8 mean?

Ezra 6:8

"Moreover I made a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expences be given unto these men, that they be not hindered."

Explanation

Ezra 6:8 provides specific instructions from King Darius regarding the financial support for the construction of the temple in Jerusalem.

The verse declares that the costs incurred by the Jewish elders should be fully covered by the royal treasury, specifically from the revenues collected from beyond the river, likely referring to the Euphrates.

The mention of "that they be not hindered" implies that the king wanted to ensure that the work would proceed without any financial restraints or delays.

Top Rated Ezra Books

Historical Context

The Book of Ezra is set during the period when the Jewish people were returning from the Babylonian exile following the edict of King Cyrus of Persia. By the time of Ezra 6, Darius the Great is in power.

The verse occurs in the context of Darius reaffirming Cyrus's decree to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

The construction faced opposition and was halted, prompting an investigation and the subsequent discovery of King Cyrus’s original decree, which Darius upholds.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Ezra 6:8 demonstrates God’s sovereignty in using pagan kings to fulfill divine purposes, the restoration of Israel and the rebuilding of the temple. It aligns with the belief that God can stir the hearts of rulers for the sake of His people.

Some may interpret the unobstructed financial support as an indication that genuine acts of worship and service to God will be provided for by unexpected sources.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Ezra 6:8 may involve faith in divine provision for religious endeavors or any righteous pursuit. It can inspire individuals and communities to trust that resource obstacles for worthwhile projects will be overcome, sometimes through assistance from surprising places.

This verse can encourage those in leadership positions to support just causes, acknowledging the positive ripple effects of their actions.

Cross-References

Ezra 1:2-4: "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah."
Ezra 6:3-5: Darius's decree to allow the temple to be rebuilt and restored, with specifications and finances detailed.
Nehemiah 2:8: "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 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."

Language Study

A close examination of the original language (Aramaic part of Ezra):

"Decree" (taam`, טעם): A command or ordinance, indicating the authoritative nature of the king's directives.
"Expences" (nefakad, נפקד): This term denotes the costs or expenses covered.
"Elders" (sekenaya, סכניא): Refers to the leaders or older, respected members of the Jewish community responsible for the reconstruction.
"Tribute" (belo, בלו): This word may be translated as tax, revenue, or toll, denoting the financial contribution.
"Beyond the river" (perat, פרת): Typically referencing the region west of the Euphrates River.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to other ancient Near Eastern cultures, Persian kings often provided patronage for religious structures, seeing it as a way to establish order, curry favor with subject peoples, or appease the gods.

Darius’s actions align with the common practice of kings investing in the religious life of their empire's diverse regions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse may be discussed concerning archaeology, which can provide physical evidence of the temple's reconstruction and insights into the fiscal systems of the Persian Empire.

It reflects the administrative and economic structures of the time, emphasizing the role of royal funding.

Commentaries

Commentators often discuss how the Persian kings, particularly Cyrus and Darius, were instrumental in the return of the exiles and the temple's construction as outlined in the edicts found in Ezra.

They point out the historical accuracy of such decrees, as similar practices were common in Persian rule.

Scholars also highlight the significance of such support as a fulfillment of biblical prophecies related to the restoration of Israel.

Ezra 6

Ezra 6

What does Ezra 6:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ezra Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Ezra 6:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ezra Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?