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Ezra 6

Ezr 6


Ezra 6

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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Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 6 of the Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra is a historical account of the return of the Jewish people from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem, as well as the rebuilding of the temple. Chapter 6 continues this narrative, focusing on the completion of the temple and the dedication of it to God. The main themes of this chapter include the perseverance and faith of the Jewish people, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the importance of worship and dedication to God.

Rebuilding of the Temple

The chapter begins with a reminder of the decree that King Cyrus of Persia had made, allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This decree had been fulfilled by the previous governor, Zerubbabel, and the temple was now almost complete. The enemies of the Jews had tried to hinder the rebuilding process, but they were unsuccessful. This serves as a testament to the perseverance and determination of the Jewish people, as well as God's protection and provision for them.

The temple was finally completed in the month of Adar, which was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. This was a significant moment for the Jewish people, as the temple was not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of their identity and connection to God. The completion of the temple was a fulfillment of God's promise to the Jewish people, as prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah.

Dedication of the Temple

Once the temple was completed, the Jewish people gathered to dedicate it to God. They celebrated with sacrifices and offerings, and the Levites and priests were consecrated for their duties. The dedication ceremony was a joyous and solemn occasion, as the Jewish people expressed their gratitude and devotion to God.

The dedication of the temple was a reminder of the importance of worship and dedication to God. The temple was a physical representation of God's presence among His people, and it served as a place for them to come and worship Him. The Jewish people understood the significance of this, and they made sure to follow God's commandments and offer sacrifices as a form of worship.

The Feast of Passover

As part of the dedication ceremony, the Jewish people also celebrated the Feast of Passover. This was a reminder of God's faithfulness and deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was a time for the people to reflect on their past and give thanks to God for His provision and protection.

The celebration of the Passover also serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring God's promises and faithfulness. It was a way for the Jewish people to pass down their history and traditions to future generations, ensuring that they would never forget the goodness and greatness of God.

King Darius' Confirmation of the Decree

In the midst of the celebrations, the enemies of the Jewish people sent a letter to King Darius, questioning the legitimacy of the decree made by King Cyrus. They accused the Jews of rebelling against the king and rebuilding the temple without his permission.

King Darius, after investigating the matter, found that the decree was indeed legitimate and that the Jews were following the commands of God. He not only confirmed the decree, but also ordered that the enemies of the Jews provide financial support for the temple and its sacrifices.

This confirmation from King Darius was another testament to God's faithfulness and provision for His people. He had not only fulfilled His promises to the Jewish people, but also used a foreign king to support and protect them.

The Importance of Obedience to God

The chapter concludes with a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments. The Jewish people had followed God's instructions and rebuilt the temple, and as a result, they were blessed and protected by God.

This serves as a lesson for us today, as we are reminded of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God. When we follow His commandments and trust in His promises, He will bless and protect us, just as He did for the Jewish people.

Meaning of Chapter 6 of the Book of Ezra

Chapter 6 of the Book of Ezra carries several important messages for us as believers. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision for His people, and how He fulfills His promises in His perfect timing. It also highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in our walk with God, as well as the significance of worship and obedience to Him.

The completion and dedication of the temple was a significant moment for the Jewish people, as it symbolized their return to their homeland and their connection to God. It was a reminder of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises, as prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah. This serves as a reminder for us today that God is faithful and will always fulfill His promises, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

The dedication ceremony and celebration of the Feast of Passover also emphasize the importance of worship and dedication to God. The temple was a physical representation of God's presence among His people, and it served as a place for them to come and offer sacrifices as a form of worship. This is a reminder for us to prioritize worship and dedicate our lives to serving and honoring God.

Furthermore, the confirmation of the decree by King Darius serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to use even the most unlikely of people for His purposes. He not only fulfilled His promises, but also used a foreign king to support and protect His people. This is a reminder for us to trust in God's plan and to have faith that He will always provide and protect us.

Finally, the chapter concludes with a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments. The Jewish people had followed God's instructions and as a result, they were blessed and protected by Him. This serves as a lesson for us to obey God and trust in His plan for our lives, knowing that He will always have our best interests at heart.

In conclusion, Chapter 6 of the Book of Ezra is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, provision, and sovereignty. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance, worship, and obedience in our relationship with God. As we reflect on this chapter, may we be reminded of God's goodness and greatness, and may we strive to live lives that are dedicated to serving and honoring Him.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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