The big picture
Darius, Persia's king, orders a search after officials question the rebuilding in Jerusalem, the returned Jews' city. A record of Cyrus, the earlier king, confirms permission to rebuild God's temple and pay its costs. Darius tells the local officials to leave the builders alone and supply what they need. The temple is finished, and the people dedicate it with joy. Priests and Levites, the sacred servants, take their places. Passover, a commanded feast, then gathers the returning community in worship.
In this chapter
- The Earlier Decree Is Found Ezra 6:1-5
Darius orders the records searched.
- Darius Orders Help and Forbids Interference Ezra 6:6-12
Darius tells Tatnai and the other officials to keep away from the work.
- The Completed House Is Dedicated Ezra 6:13-18
The officials obey quickly, and the elders keep building with the prophets' encouragement.
- Passover Gathers the Returned People Ezra 6:19-22
Day fourteen of the first month brings the Passover feast.
Central truth
The recovered decree turns an official challenge into support, and the completed temple receives joyful worship from the returned people.
Scripture beside the summary
Ezra · King James Version · 22Ezra 6:1-5
The Earlier Decree Is Found
Darius orders the records searched. A scroll is found at Achmetha in the province of the Medes. It confirms that Cyrus commanded the temple rebuilt as a place for sacrifices. The decree gives dimensions and building details, including large stones and timber. Costs are to come from the royal treasury. Gold and silver vessels taken to Babylon must go back to their proper place. The discovery supports more than a general right to build. It also names royal duties for the work and its sacred equipment.
In everyday life
A records keeper unrolls an old deed in a castle strongroom and finds the repair terms still attached. The grant includes money and materials, not merely permission to use the site. The new dispute must take those terms into account. Cyrus's record directs rebuilding and funding for the place where sacrifices are offered to God.
Notice
Ezra 6:4 The king's treasury is named as the source of expenses. Finding the decree confirms financial support as well as the right to rebuild the temple.
Ezra 6:1-5
King James Version1Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2And 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:
3In 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;
4With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
5And 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.
Ezra 6:6-12
Darius Orders Help and Forbids Interference
Darius tells Tatnai and the other officials to keep away from the work. The Jewish leaders must be allowed to build. Regional taxes are to pay the expenses, and supplies for daily sacrifice must be given without fail. The priests are to pray for the king and his sons. Anyone who changes the decree faces hanging from a beam taken from his house, which will be destroyed. The king also calls for God to overthrow anyone who attacks the temple. Support comes with severe royal penalties.
In everyday life
A railway owner orders contractors to stop obstructing a repair crew and to supply its tools from the common stores. The written order gives daily support instead of a vague promise. The crew's work now has the owner's backing. Darius adds death penalties and demands sacrifices and prayer to the God of heaven.
Notice
Ezra 6:9 The supplies must be provided day by day without failure. The order supports continuing worship, not only the building's completion or one opening ceremony.
Ezra 6:6-12
King James Version6Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
7Let 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.
8Moreover I make 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 expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9And 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:
10That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11Also 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.
12And 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.
Ezra 6:13-18
The Completed House Is Dedicated
The officials obey quickly, and the elders keep building with the prophets' encouragement. The temple is completed in Darius's sixth year. The people, priests and Levites mark its dedication with joy and many sacrifices. Twelve goats are offered for sin on behalf of all Israel, one for each tribe. The sacred servants are assigned their groups under the written law. Completion therefore leads to ordered use. The rebuilt house belongs to a restored pattern of worship, with the whole people remembered in the offerings.
In everyday life
A swimming-pool steward opens a rebuilt pool with users from every village it serves. She then posts the regular lifeguard rota before the celebration ends. A restored building must be ready for ongoing use. The temple feast includes gifts for sin and sacred duties set by God's law.
Notice
Ezra 6:17 Twelve goats correspond to Israel's tribes. The group gives for the whole people. Its concern reaches past the families who stand at the new house.
Ezra 6:13-18
King James Version13Then 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.
14And 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.
15And 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.
16And 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,
17And 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.
18And 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.
Ezra 6:19-22
Passover Gathers the Returned People
Day fourteen of the first month brings the Passover feast. Priests and Levites are clean and prepare the sacrifices for the returning families and themselves. Others join who have turned from the surrounding people's impurity to seek Israel's God. The feast of bread without yeast lasts seven days with joy. God is named as the source of that joy and of the king's changed support. The house is now in use. Those who seek God share a feast after turning from false worship.
In everyday life
A language-class host welcomes newcomers who have chosen to join the group's shared work after leaving a hostile association. They take their places beside long-time members for a week of meals and learning. A common commitment shapes the welcome. Ezra's gathering seeks Israel's God through Passover and credits him with changing royal support.
Notice
Ezra 6:21 People who separate from surrounding impurity join those returned from exile. Participation is described through seeking God as well as through the history of captivity.
Ezra 6:19-22
King James Version19And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20For 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.
21And 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,
22And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Ezra 6:1 begins with “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.”
Where the chapter turns
Ezra 6:13 forms a natural hinge: “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.”
The final note
Ezra 6:22 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words house, king, Israel, Jerusalem, children, Darius help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
