Ezra 6: The House Finished With Joy
Darius confirms Cyrus's decree and funds the work; the temple is completed and dedicated, and the people keep the Passover.
Ezra 6 (WEB)
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2 There was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll, and therein was thus written for a record:
3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, and its breadth sixty cubits;
4 with three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house.
5 Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be restored, and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, everyone to its place; and you shall put them in God’s house.
6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there.
7 Leave 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 its place.
8 Moreover I make a decree what you shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they be not hindered.
9 That which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
10 that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:
12 and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, because Darius the king had sent a decree, did accordingly with all diligence.
14 The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15 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 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 They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18 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 The children of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they killed the Passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.
21 The children of Israel who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate,
22 and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Yahweh had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of God’s house, the God of Israel.
Ezra 6 (KJV)
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, Shethar–boznai, 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, Shethar–boznai, 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.
Ezra 6 (ASV)
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written for a record:
3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
4 with three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house.
5 And also let the gold 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 its place; and thou shalt put them in the house of God.
6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who 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 its place.
8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor 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 a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:
12 and the God that hath caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples that shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
13 Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.
14 And the elders of the Jews builded and 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 decree 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 they offered at the dedication of this house of God a 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 had purified themselves together; all of them were pure: and they 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 that were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, did eat,
22 and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Jehovah had made them joyful, and had 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.
Summary
King Darius orders a search of the archives, and at Achmetha a scroll is found recording Cyrus's original decree to rebuild the temple at royal expense and restore its vessels. Darius then issues his own decree: the officials must leave the work alone, and the cost is to be paid from the royal treasury, along with all the animals and provisions the priests need for sacrifices, so that they may pray for the king and his sons. He warns of severe punishment for anyone who alters the decree and asks God to overthrow any who try to destroy the house. Tattenai and his companions obey diligently. So the elders build and prosper through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, and they finish the temple by the command of God and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. The house is completed in the sixth year of Darius, and the people dedicate it with joy, offering many sacrifices and a sin offering of twelve goats for the tribes of Israel. They set the priests and Levites in their divisions for God's service and keep the Passover, for the Lord had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king to strengthen their hands in the work of God's house.
Main Characters
- Darius, king of Persia — The king who confirms Cyrus's decree, funds the temple from royal revenue, and protects the work from interference.
- Tattenai — The governor who, on receiving Darius's decree, diligently complies and supports the building instead of hindering it.
- Haggai and Zechariah — The prophets through whose prophesying the elders build and prosper until the temple is finished.
- The children of the captivity — The returned exiles who dedicate the temple with joy, offer sacrifices, and keep the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Key Verse
Ezra 6:14 (WEB)
The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Lessons Learned
- God overrules opposition and even turns enemies into supporters of his work.
- The prophetic word brings the work not only to a start but to completion.
- Completed work for God is to be celebrated with joyful, grateful worship.
- God restores not just buildings but the rhythms of worship, like the Passover.
- God turns opposition into provision. Darius decreed that expenses "be given out of the king’s house" (Ezra 6:4, WEB), and Tattenai now aided the work. The Lord can make former adversaries serve his purposes.
- God's word completes what it begins. The elders "built and finished it... according to the commandment of the God of Israel" (Ezra 6:14, WEB). His word carries the work through to the end.
- Finished work calls for joyful worship. They "kept the dedication of this house of God with joy" (Ezra 6:16, WEB). Completing God's work is cause for thankful celebration.
- God restores his people's worship. They "kept the Passover" and the feast "with joy: for Yahweh had made them joyful" (Ezra 6:19, 22, WEB). Restoration is finally about renewed fellowship with God.
- How does the discovery of Cyrus's decree in the archives display God's providence?
- Why is it significant that Darius funds the temple and its sacrifices from royal revenue?
- What does the joyful dedication of the temple reveal about the purpose of the whole rebuilding effort?
- Why might it matter that the people immediately keep the Passover after the temple is finished?
- When God brings a long, hard work to completion in your life, how do you mark and celebrate his faithfulness?
- The very decree the enemies hoped would be lost is found and verified, vindicating the Jews (6:1-3). What looked like a threat became their protection. God's providence weaves even bureaucratic searches into his saving plan; help the group trace his unseen hand.
- The same empire that once destroyed the temple now pays to rebuild it (6:4, 8-9). God so turns the king's heart that opposition becomes generous provision. This is a vivid picture of God making former enemies serve his people's good.
- The dedication overflows with joy and sacrifice (6:16-17), showing that the goal was never merely a building but renewed worship and fellowship with God. The structure exists for the sake of communion with the Lord. Invite the group to keep ends and means in their proper order.
- Keeping the Passover (6:19-22) reconnects the people to God's foundational act of redemption from Egypt. Their new deliverance from exile echoes the old. Restoration is complete when God's people remember his salvation and worship him together.
- This is a personal-application question. The exiles dedicated the finished temple with deliberate joy and thanksgiving. As leader, invite members to name a long obedience God has brought to completion and to consider how intentional celebration honors his faithfulness rather than letting it pass unnoticed.