Ezra 6:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

We have here, I. The decree of Cyrus for the building of the temple repeated. To this the Samaritans referred because the Jews pleaded it, and perhaps hoped it would not be found, and then their plea would be over-ruled and a stop put to their work. Search was ordered to be made for it among the records; for, it seems, the tribes had not taken care to provide themselves with an authentic copy of it, which might have stood them in good stead, but they must appeal to the original. It was looked... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:1

Then Darius the king made a decree ,.... To make inquiry after the edict of Cyrus, to search the public records for it: and search was made in the house of the rolls ; or "books" F18 בבית ספריא , εν ταις βιβλιοθηκαις , Sept. "in bibliotheca", V. L. "in bibliotheca librorum", Tigurine version; "in domo librorum", Pagninus, Montanus. , in a public library or museum: where the treasures were laid up in Babylon ; where things of worth and value were reposited; not only gold,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 6:1

In the house of the rolls - ספריא בית beith siphraiya , the house of the books, the king's library. This is the first time we hear of a library. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1

Darius the king made a decree. Rather, "gave an order" (Vulg; praecepit ) . A "decree" would not be necessary. And search was made in the house of the rolls. Literally, "in the house of the books," i.e. in the royal library, or record chamber. Where the treasures were laid up. The same repository was, apparently, used for documents of value and for the precious metals. An underground apartment is perhaps indicated by the word translated "laid up," which means "made to descend." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-5

The decree of Cyrus. In the letter of Tatnai to Darius he advised that search should be made to ascertain whether there existed any decree of Cyrus authorising the building of the temple at Jerusalem. Search was accordingly made, and the roll recovered. The decree may be viewed as consisting of three parts:— I. THE AUTHENTICATION . 1. The author ' s signature. "Cyrus the king." 2. The date of the document. "In the first year of Cyrus." Lesson (a) Let us see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

The application made by the satrap of Syria to Darius received his immediate attention. A search was instituted—in the first instance, at Babylon, but afterwards at the other capitals also; and in Ecbatana, the Median metropolis, where the Persian kings always resided during a portion of the year, a copy of the original decree was found, which is considerably fuller and more definite, though in some respects covering less ground, than the "proclamation'' with which Ezra opens his history.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

Opposition silenced. The letter of Tatnai and his companions to Darius, the contents of which are given us in Ezra 5:7-17 , seems to have led to some disappointment at first speaking, i.e; from the point of view of the Jews. The search recommended, it is true, was duly decreed and instituted; and that, so far as appears, without any delay or reluctance. But the important document sought for was not forthcoming immediately. On the contrary, in that "house of the rolls, where the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

Some useful things. I. THE UTILITY OF HISTORY . "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" ( Ezra 6:2 ). 1. Its permanence. The "roll" contained the records of past ages. The memory of man could not retain these events. History preserves them. It would be a pity for the nation and Church to let die the events that have made them what they are; history gives permanence and solemnity to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 6:1

A “house of the rolls” was discovered at Koyunjik, the ancient Nineveh, in 1850 - a set of chambers, i. e., in the palace devoted exclusively to the storing of public documents. These were in baked clay, and covered the floor to the depth of more than a foot. Such a “house” was probably that at Babylon. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 6:1

Ezra 6:1. Then Darius the king made a decree To search the rolls in Babylon, where search was fairly made; but not finding the edict there, they searched in Achmetha, or Ecbatana, the royal city of the Medes and Persians, and found it there. As Darius, the better to fortify his title to the crown, had married two of the daughters of Cyrus, he thought himself concerned to do every thing which might tend to the honour of that great prince, and therefore more readily confirmed the decree which... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 6:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 6:1-12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 6:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 6:1

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