E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 6:3
first. year of Cyrus. Compare Ezra 1:1 . offered. Chaldee. deba'h. Same as Hebrew. zebach. App-43 . read more
first. year of Cyrus. Compare Ezra 1:1 . offered. Chaldee. deba'h. Same as Hebrew. zebach. App-43 . read more
Cyrus’ memorandum 6:3-5The memorandum provided details that the edict did not contain. Among these details were the dimensions of the proposed temple. It was to be twice as high and three times as wide as Solomon’s temple (Ezra 6:3; cf. 1 Kings 6:2). Obviously, Cyrus intended to sponsor a temple that would excel Solomon’s and thereby bring greater glory to himself. The fact that the foundations, when completed, appeared less impressive than Solomon’s (Ezra 3:12-13), suggests that the Jews did... read more
Completion and Dedication of the TempleThis chapter relates the authorisation of the construction of the Temple, and the completion of the work.2. Achmetha] i.e. Ecbatana in Media.3. Threescore cubits, etc.] The dimensions here given, which considerably exceed those of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:2), perhaps marked the limits beyond which the builders were not to go. 4. With three rows, etc.] cp. 1 Kings 6:36, which suggests that these materials were used in the construction of the Court, not... read more
(3) Strongly laid.—“Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28). The decree adds a word that signifies “with sufficient support.” read more
7NEW DIFFICULTIES MET IN A NEW SPIRITEzra 5:3-17; Ezra 6:1-5IT is in keeping with the character of his story of the returned Jews throughout, that no sooner has the chronicler let a ray of sunshine fall on his page-in his brief notice of the inspiriting mission of the two prophets-than he is compelled to plunge his narrative again into gloom. But he shows that there was now a new spirit in the Jews, so that they were prepared to meet opposition in a more manly fashion. If their jealous... read more
CHAPTER 6 1. The search of the king and the result (Ezra 6:1-5 ) 2. The command of Darius (Ezra 6:6-12 ) 3. The king’s command obeyed (Ezra 6:13 ) 4. The house finished (Ezra 6:14-15 ) 5. The dedication of the house (Ezra 6:16-18 ) 6. The feast of Passover and unleavened bread (Ezra 6:19-22 ) Ezra 6:1-5 . King Darius had a search made in the place where the records of the empire were kept, “in the house of the rolls.” The word “rolls” is “books” and these consisted of clay tablets... read more
Having received the letter from Tattenai, Darius ordered that a search be made in the archives where the treasures were stored in Babylon.There is no doubt that God led the searchers to Achmetha in the province of Media, to find a scroll that recorded the decree of Cyrus concerning the rebuilding of the temple.The words of the decree are quoted in verses 3-5, confirming what has been told us in Ezra 1:1-11.Verses 6-12 record the words of Darius in reply to Tattenai. Neither this governor nor... read more
BACK TO THE HOMELAND CYRUS’ PROCLAMATION (Ezra 1:0 ) Babylon has had its days, and with its downfall has come that of the Assyrian Empire. The Medes and Persians, with Cyrus at their head, are now in power, and in the providence of God, Daniel, the Jewish prophet and statesman, has influence at this court, as in that of Nebuchadnezzar. By a study of the earlier prophets, especially Jeremiah, he has become aware that the time is nigh for the captivity of Judah to end and his people to... read more
Ezra 6:0 1. Then Darius the king made a decree [gave an order], and search was made in the house of the rolls [writings], where the treasures were laid up [in a chamber for the storing of documents and other treasures] in Babylon. 2. And there was found at Achmetha [the Median capital of Cyrus], in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a [parchment] 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... read more
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:1-22
The temple completed (5:1-6:22)Having given examples of anti-Jewish activity from another era, the writer returns to the time of Zerubbabel. Because of opposition from their enemies, the Jews did no work on the temple for about sixteen years. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to stir up the people to get them working on the building once more (5:1-2).Some local people must have objected to the renewed activity, and soon a group of officials arrived at the scene to question the... read more