Keraia
Ezra 6

Ezra 6:4

The Decree of Darius · Ezra 6:1–12
Read Ezra 6

Translations

Modern
…with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.
Traditional
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
Literal
…with three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new timber, and let the expenses be paid from the house of the king.
Latin
…ordines de lapidibus impolitis tres, et sic ordines de lignis novis: sumptus autem de domo regis dabuntur.

Original

Hebrew
English
…with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.

Notes

Ezra 6:4

The royal treasury will cover all expenses. It may seem surprising that the Persians would do this, but it was their usual practice. They did the same at Sais and Elephantine in Egypt, and at Ur in Mesopotamia. This generosity aimed to ensure loyalty to Persia.

Theme notes and profiles

The Medes and Persians Zerubbabel

Glossary

Aramaic Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Cyrus the Great Darius Ecbatana First Book of Esdras Haggai, Book of Postexilic Period Sheshbazzar Temple

Topics

Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Darius, in his Edict Furthering the Restoration of the Temple Kings: should Promote the Interests of the Church Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Proclamation Renewed by Darius and Artaxerxes Rulers: Righteous: Darius, in Advancing the Rebuilding of the Temple Temple: The Second: Restored by Zerubbabel the Second Temple: Built on the Site of the First Temple the Second Temple: Cyrus: Furnished Means for Building the Second Temple: Its Dimensions