Ezra Chapter 6

At a Glance

  • Ezra 6 continues the imperial saga of restoration through the reign of Darius.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Ezra 6 belongs to the period of comprehensive imperial oversight, with the Persian kings actively supporting temple reconstruction, reflecting a policy of tolerance and administration.
  • - Divine vindication through imperial decree.
  • - Sacred worship as public witness.

EZRA CHAPTER 6

Chapter Overview

Ezra 6 continues the imperial saga of restoration through the reign of Darius. After a search of the royal archives, a decree is found ordering that the house of God be rebuilt and that the foundations be laid with care. The document confirms Cyrus’s decree and reinforces the plan with precise measurements and financial provisions. Darius issues a new decree to ensure that the rebuilding proceeds without hindrance and even commits resources from the royal treasury for the project, including offerings and provisions for the priests, to ensure ongoing worship and sacrifice. The chapter emphasizes that God’s people do not work alone; they are sustained by divine sovereignty mediated through secular authorities who recognize the legitimacy of their enterprise. The layers of policy, ritual, and material support converge toward a moment of renewed worship and the reinstatement of temple service, including the return of sacred vessels. The chapter's tone is triumphant and theologically affirming: God’s faithfulness to His people is evident as the temple finds completion in the face of past discouragement.

Historical & Literary Context

Ezra 6 belongs to the period of comprehensive imperial oversight, with the Persian kings actively supporting temple reconstruction, reflecting a policy of tolerance and administration. The chapter uses an archival-found decree to authorize activity, illustrating the historical texture of the text. The genre remains historical narrative with legal/documentary components, depicting sovereign endorsement as essential to religious renewal. The inclusion of the king’s speech and explicit divine motivations situates the chapter within Ezra-Nehemiah’s overarching argument: restoration is both a matter of human action and divine intent, realized through providential governance and covenantal worship.

Key Themes

- Divine vindication through imperial decree

- Sacred worship as public witness

- Fidelity to the covenant in the face of past failures

- Cooperation between sacred and secular authorities

- The continuity of Israel’s liturgical life, including vessels and offerings

Modern Application

Ezra 6 reassures communities that sustained faithfulness often requires patient collaboration with broader systems—governance, economics, and public policy. It invites believers to trust that God can use secular authorities to advance sacred aims. For churches and faith-based organizations, the chapter encourages diligence in preserving sacred objects and practices (like offerings and vessels) while ensuring transparent governance and accountability. It also reinforces the importance of perseverance when prior discouragement might tempt abandonment. Finally, it provides a tangible reminder that communal worship and temple service are vital markers of identity that outlast political shifts.

- Ezra 3 (altar and initial worship)

- Ezra 4 (opposition and letters)

- Daniel 6 (divine sovereignty in governance)

- Psalm 132 (divine dwelling and worship)

Recommended Personas

- Nehemiah (organizational leadership and governance)

- Cyrus (policy enabler)

- Darius (kingly endorsement and justice)

- Moses (justice, covenant, and worship)

Chapter Text

1

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.

2

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:

3

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;

4

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

5

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.

6

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

7

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.

8

Moreover 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.

9

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:

10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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

14

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.

15

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.

16

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,

17

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.

18

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.

19

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

20

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.

21

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,

22

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.

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