Ezra 6:3
Ezra 6:3 in Multiple Translations
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
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;
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;
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made an order: In connection with the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be put up, the place where they make offerings, and let the earth for the bases be put in place; let it be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide;
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree regarding God's Temple in Jerusalem: Let the Temple be rebuilt as a place where sacrifices are offered, and ensure it has strong foundations. Make it sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
IN THE FIRST yeere of King Cyrus, King Cyrus made a decree for the house of God in Ierusalem, Let the house be buylt, euen the place where they offred sacrifices, and let the walles thereof be ioyned together: let the height thereof be three score cubites, and the breadth thereof three score cubites,
'In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king hath made a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: the house let be builded in the place where they are sacrificing sacrifices, and its foundations strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits;
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, with its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits;
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 built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations of it be strongly laid; the hight of it sixty cubits, and the breadth of it sixty cubits;
In the first year of Cyrus the king: Cyrus the king decreed, that the house of God should be built, which is in Jerusalem, in the place where they may offer sacrifices, and that they lay the foundations that may support the height of threescore cubits, and the breadth of threescore cubits,
“During the first year that Cyrus ruled the empire, he sent out a decree concerning the temple of God which is at Jerusalem. In the decree it was stated that a new temple must be built at the same place that the Israeli people previously had offered sacrifices, where the original foundation of the first temple was. The temple must be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 6:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezra 6:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
חֲדָ֜ה
לְ/כ֣וֹרֶשׁ
מַלְכָּ֗/א
כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ
מַלְכָּ/א֮
שָׂ֣ם
טְעֵם֒
בֵּית
אֱלָהָ֤/א
בִֽ/ירוּשְׁלֶם֙
בַּיְתָ֣/א
יִתְבְּנֵ֔א
אֲתַר֙
דִּֽי
דָבְחִ֣ין
דִּבְחִ֔ין
וְ/אֻשּׁ֖וֹ/הִי
מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין
רוּמֵ/הּ֙
אַמִּ֣ין
שִׁתִּ֔ין
פְּתָיֵ֖/הּ
אַמִּ֥ין
שִׁתִּֽין
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
shᵉnâh
H8140
year
Adj | N-fs
חֲדָ֜ה
chad
H2298
one
Adj
לְ/כ֣וֹרֶשׁ
Kôwresh
H3567
Cyrus
Adj | N-proper
מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ
Kôwresh
H3567
Cyrus
Adj
מַלְכָּ/א֮
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
שָׂ֣ם
sûwm
H7761
to set
Adj
טְעֵם֒
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
command
Adj
בֵּית
bayith
H1005
house
Adj
אֱלָהָ֤/א
ʼĕlâhh
H426
god
Adj | Art
בִֽ/ירוּשְׁלֶם֙
Yᵉrûwshâlêm
H3390
Jerusalem
Adj | N-proper
בַּיְתָ֣/א
bayith
H1005
house
Adj | Art
יִתְבְּנֵ֔א
bᵉnâʼ
H1124
to build
Adj
אֲתַר֙
ʼăthar
H870
place
Adj
דִּֽי
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
דָבְחִ֣ין
dᵉbach
H1684
to sacrifice
Adj
דִּבְחִ֔ין
dᵉbach
H1685
sacrifice
Adj
וְ/אֻשּׁ֖וֹ/הִי
ʼôsh
H787
foundation
Adj | N-mp | Suff
מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין
çᵉbal
H5446
to bear
Adj
רוּמֵ/הּ֙
rûwm
H7314
height
Adj | Suff
אַמִּ֣ין
ʼammâh
H521
cubit
Adj
שִׁתִּ֔ין
shittîyn
H8361
sixty
Adj
פְּתָיֵ֖/הּ
pᵉthay
H6613
breadth
Adj | Suff
אַמִּ֥ין
ʼammâh
H521
cubit
Adj
שִׁתִּֽין
shittîyn
H8361
sixty
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 6:3
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
shᵉnâh
H8140
"year"
Adj | N-fs
This word means a year, like when the Israelites spent a year in the wilderness in Numbers 33. It is used to measure time and describe periods of life.
Definition: year Aramaic of sha.neh (שָׁנָה "year" H8141)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: year. See also: Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:3; Daniel 7:1.
חֲדָ֜ה
chad
H2298
"one"
Adj
This word means one, first, or single, and is often used in the Bible to describe something unique. It appears in books like Leviticus and Numbers. It can also be used as an article, like a or an.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one 1b) a (indefinite article)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: a, first, one, together. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:19; Daniel 7:16.
לְ/כ֣וֹרֶשׁ
Kôwresh
H3567
"Cyrus"
Adj | N-proper
Cyrus was a Persian king who conquered Babylon and allowed Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 36:22.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ch.36.22; son of: Gedaliah (H1436H) Aramaic of ko.resh (כּ֫וֹרֶשׁ "Cyrus" H3566) § Cyrus = "posses thou the furnace" the king of Persia and conqueror of Babylon; first ruler of Persia to make a decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Cyrus. See also: Ezra 5:13; Ezra 6:3; Daniel 6:29.
מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ
Kôwresh
H3567
"Cyrus"
Adj
Cyrus was a Persian king who conquered Babylon and allowed Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem. He is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 36:22.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ch.36.22; son of: Gedaliah (H1436H) Aramaic of ko.resh (כּ֫וֹרֶשׁ "Cyrus" H3566) § Cyrus = "posses thou the furnace" the king of Persia and conqueror of Babylon; first ruler of Persia to make a decree allowing the Israelite exiles to return to Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Cyrus. See also: Ezra 5:13; Ezra 6:3; Daniel 6:29.
מַלְכָּ/א֮
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
שָׂ֣ם
sûwm
H7761
"to set"
Adj
This word is similar to H7760, but is more focused on setting or appointing someone or something to a specific role or task. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's commands and appointments.
Definition: 1) to set, make, appoint 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to make, make decree, setout (decree) 1a2) to make, appoint 1a3) to set, fix 1b) (Ithp'al) to be made, be set, be laid
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] command, give, lay, make, [phrase] name, [phrase] regard, set. See also: Ezra 4:19; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:27.
טְעֵם֒
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
"command"
Adj
This word is about having a command or report, and can also mean a taste or flavor. In the Bible, it can refer to a decree or wisdom, like in the book of Proverbs. It is about perceiving or understanding something.
Definition: 1) report, taste 1a) taste 1b) report
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] chancellor, [phrase] command, commandment, decree, [phrase] regard, taste, wisdom. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 6:27.
בֵּית
bayith
H1005
"house"
Adj
This Hebrew word for house is similar to H1004, but it primarily refers to a physical building, either a home or a temple. It is used in many passages, including those describing the construction of the temple in 1 Kings. The word emphasizes the idea of a physical structure.
Definition: 1) house (of men) 2) house (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: house. See also: Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:11.
אֱלָהָ֤/א
ʼĕlâhh
H426
"god"
Adj | Art
This word means God, referring to the God of Israel or a heathen deity, as seen in various KJV translations. It is used to describe a divine being.
Definition: 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: God, god. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 2:19; Jeremiah 10:11.
בִֽ/ירוּשְׁלֶם֙
Yᵉrûwshâlêm
H3390
"Jerusalem"
Adj | N-proper
Jerusalem means teaching of peace, the chief city of Palestine and Judah. It is mentioned in the Bible as the capital of the united kingdom. In the KJV, it is translated as Jerusalem.
Definition: Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: {Jerusalem} See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:5; Daniel 6:11.
בַּיְתָ֣/א
bayith
H1005
"house"
Adj | Art
This Hebrew word for house is similar to H1004, but it primarily refers to a physical building, either a home or a temple. It is used in many passages, including those describing the construction of the temple in 1 Kings. The word emphasizes the idea of a physical structure.
Definition: 1) house (of men) 2) house (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: house. See also: Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:11.
יִתְבְּנֵ֔א
bᵉnâʼ
H1124
"to build"
Adj
This word means to build or construct something, and is used in the Bible to describe physical construction. It appears in various forms, including 'build' and 'make', and is an important concept in biblical descriptions of creation and architecture.
Definition: 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: build, make. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:27.
אֲתַר֙
ʼăthar
H870
"place"
Adj
This word refers to a place or location, and can also mean after or following something. It is used in various contexts throughout the Bible to describe physical locations or sequences of events.
Definition: track, place
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: after, place. See also: Ezra 5:15; Daniel 2:35; Daniel 7:7.
דִּֽי
dîy
H1768
"that"
Adj
This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.
Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because
Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.
דָבְחִ֣ין
dᵉbach
H1684
"to sacrifice"
Adj
This word means to sacrifice an animal, often used in the context of worship and atonement, as seen in Leviticus 1:3 where God instructs the Israelites on proper sacrifice procedures.
Definition: (P'al) to sacrifice Aramaic of za.vach (זָבַח "to sacrifice" H2076)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: offer (sacrifice). See also: Ezra 6:3.
דִּבְחִ֔ין
dᵉbach
H1685
"sacrifice"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a sacrifice, often referring to an offering given to God. It is related to the word for altar, emphasizing the act of worship. In the Bible, it appears in the context of temple rituals.
Definition: sacrifice Aramaic of miz.be.ach (מִזְבֵּחַ "altar" H4196)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: sacrifice. See also: Ezra 6:3.
וְ/אֻשּׁ֖וֹ/הִי
ʼôsh
H787
"foundation"
Adj | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a foundation, the base of something. It is used in the Bible to describe a starting point or a base for building. The KJV translates it as foundation.
Definition: foundation Aramaic of a.shu.yah (אָשְׁיָה "foundation" H0803)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: foundation. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:16; Ezra 6:3.
מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין
çᵉbal
H5446
"to bear"
Adj
This word means to lay or erect something, often with great strength or effort. In the Bible, it is used to describe building or constructing something. It is translated as 'strongly laid'
Definition: 1) to bear a load 1a) (Poal) laid (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: strongly laid. See also: Ezra 6:3.
רוּמֵ/הּ֙
rûwm
H7314
"height"
Adj | Suff
This Hebrew word means height or altitude, used to describe something lofty or elevated, like a mountain peak in the Bible.
Definition: height Aramaic of rum (רוּם "height" H7312)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: height. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 4:17.
אַמִּ֣ין
ʼammâh
H521
"cubit"
Adj
A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly 18 inches long, based on the length of a forearm. This term is used in the Bible to describe distances and sizes, such as the dimensions of the ark.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5 m) Aramaic of am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0520A)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: cubit. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 3:1.
שִׁתִּ֔ין
shittîyn
H8361
"sixty"
Adj
The Hebrew word for sixty, used to describe quantities or measurements in the Bible. For example, it is used in biblical accounts to describe the age of someone who is sixty years old. This term is also translated as threescore.
Definition: sixty, threescore Aramaic of shish.shim (שִׁשִּׁים "sixty" H8346)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: threescore. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 6:1.
פְּתָיֵ֖/הּ
pᵉthay
H6613
"breadth"
Adj | Suff
This word refers to something being wide or open, like a broad space. It is used in Ezekiel 40:12 to describe the width of a wall. It measures the distance across something.
Definition: width, breadth
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: breadth. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 3:1.
אַמִּ֥ין
ʼammâh
H521
"cubit"
Adj
A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly 18 inches long, based on the length of a forearm. This term is used in the Bible to describe distances and sizes, such as the dimensions of the ark.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5 m) Aramaic of am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0520A)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: cubit. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 3:1.
שִׁתִּֽין
shittîyn
H8361
"sixty"
Adj
The Hebrew word for sixty, used to describe quantities or measurements in the Bible. For example, it is used in biblical accounts to describe the age of someone who is sixty years old. This term is also translated as threescore.
Definition: sixty, threescore Aramaic of shish.shim (שִׁשִּׁים "sixty" H8346)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: threescore. See also: Ezra 6:3; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 6:1.
Study Notes — Ezra 6:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezra 6:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezra 6:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 6:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
- Cambridge Bible on Ezra 6:3
- Barnes' Notes on Ezra 6:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
- Sermons on Ezra 6:3
Context — The Decree of Darius
1Thus King Darius ordered a search of the archives stored in the treasury of Babylon.
2And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum:
3In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
4with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury. 5Furthermore, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, must also be returned to the temple in Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 36:22–4 | — |
| 2 | Revelation 21:16 | The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length. And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—12,000 stadia in length and width and height. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 41:13–15 | Then he measured the temple to be a hundred cubits long, and the temple courtyard and the building with its walls were also a hundred cubits long. The width of the temple courtyard on the east, including the front of the temple, was a hundred cubits. Next he measured the length of the building facing the temple courtyard at the rear of the temple, including its galleries on each side; it was a hundred cubits. The outer sanctuary, the inner sanctuary, and the porticoes facing the court, |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 12:5–6 | Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 6:2–3 | The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple. |
| 6 | Psalms 122:4 | where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 2:6 | But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? |
| 8 | Ezra 5:13–15 | In his first year, however, Cyrus king of Babylon issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. He also removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken and carried there from the temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus gave these articles to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’ |
| 9 | 2 Chronicles 3:3–4 | The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 12:11–14 | then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you. |
Ezra 6:3 Summary
[Ezra 6:3 tells us that King Cyrus made a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem, which was an important step in the Israelites' return from exile. This decree was a fulfillment of God's promises to His people, as seen in Isaiah 44:28. The house of God was to be a place for offering sacrifices, which was a crucial part of the Israelites' worship and relationship with God (Leviticus 1:1-7). As we reflect on this verse, we can learn about the importance of obedience to God's will and the need for a dedicated place for worship in our own lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of King Cyrus' decree in Ezra 6:3?
King Cyrus' decree was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 44:28, where God says that Cyrus will be the one to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This decree marked the beginning of the rebuilding process and demonstrated God's sovereignty over the nations.
Why was it important for the house of God to be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices?
The rebuilding of the temple was necessary for the Israelites to resume their worship and sacrifices to God, as commanded in Leviticus 1:1-7. This was a crucial part of their spiritual lives and their relationship with God.
What is the significance of the dimensions of the house of God in Ezra 6:3?
The dimensions of the house of God, sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, may have been symbolic of perfection or completeness, as the number sixty was considered a perfect number in ancient Babylonian culture. However, the exact significance of these dimensions is not explicitly stated in the Bible.
How does Ezra 6:3 relate to the overall story of the Israelites' return from exile?
Ezra 6:3 is a key part of the story of the Israelites' return from exile, as it marks the beginning of the rebuilding process and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem. This event was a fulfillment of God's promises to His people, as seen in Ezekiel 37:21-28.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from King Cyrus' willingness to obey God's will, even if he didn't fully understand it?
- How does the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem relate to my own spiritual journey and the 'temple' of my heart?
- What are some ways that I can participate in the 'rebuilding' of God's kingdom in my own community?
- How can I balance the need for structure and order in my spiritual life with the need for freedom and spontaneity?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 6:3
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,.... See Ezra 1:1, the place where they offered
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 6:3
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
He did not command them to make it so large, for he left the ordering of the proportions of the building to their skill and choice; but he restrained them that they should make it no larger, lest they should hereafter make use of it to other purposes against himself: but those proportions differ much from those of Solomon’ s temple, which was but thirty cubits high, only the porch was one hundred and twenty cubits high, and but twenty cubits in breadth. Either therefore Solomon’ s cubits were sacred cubits, which were larger than the other, and these were but common cubits; or the sixty cubits of height are meant only of the porch, which he would not have to be so high and magnificent as that of Solomon’ s was, lest they should be puffed up with it, and by degrees arrive at their former height and insolence. And the word rendered breadth, may be, and is by some, rendered more generally, the extension, or amplitude, or the length of it; it being improbable that the king should give orders about the breadth, and none about the length of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
Ezra 6:3 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;Ver. 3. The height thereof threescore cubits] Yet was it less than Solomon’ s temple, Haggai 2:3 Ezra 3:12. Solomon’ s cubits therefore were longer (likely) than these here mentioned.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
(3) Strongly laid.—“Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28). The decree adds a word that signifies “with sufficient support.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
Verse 3. The height thereof threescore cubits] This was much larger than the temple of Solomon. This was sixty cubits high, and sixty cubits broad; whereas Solomon's was only twenty cubits broad, and thirty cubits high.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 6:3
3. the same Cyrus the king] R.V. Cyrus the king. See Ezra 5:13. made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let &c.] R.V. made a decree; concerning &c., let &c. The words ‘concerning the house of God at Jerusalem’ form a kind of heading to the memorandum, of which what follows is a transcript. where they offered sacrifices] R.V. where they offer sacrifices. and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid] The meaning of these words in the original is very uncertain They have been variously rendered, (1) ‘and let them set up its foundations’ (active), (2) ‘And let its foundations be set up’ (passive): but neither rendering gives any fresh idea to the preceding clause. (3) The rendering of the A.V. and R.V. ‘let the foundations thereof be strongly laid’ (whether passive, i.e. heavily weighted, or active, i.e. capable of bearing heavy weights), gives a fair sense, the emphasis resting upon the substantial character of the building. It may be doubted whether the text is correct. The transition from this clause to the description of the height and breadth of the building (the length being omitted) is abrupt and awkward. The rendering of the versions shows the difficulty which the words occasioned and possibly the uncertainty of the text at a very early period. LXX. καὶἔθηκανἔπαρμα. Vulg. ‘ponant fundamenta supportantia’. 1Es 6:24 ‘With continual fire’ διὰπυρὸςἐνδελεχοῦς. the height thereof, &c.] In view of the uncertainty of the text, it is doubtful whether we can rely upon these statements of dimensions, especially as the length is not specified.
Solomon’s temple is described in 1 Kings 6:2 as 60 cubits long, 20 broad, and 30 high. Here the temple is to be 60 cubits high and 60 broad. Josephus who, speaking of Zerubbabel’s temple, describes its height as 60 cubits less than that of Solomon’s temple, is clearly comparing the passage in 2 Chronicles 3:4, where the porch of Solomon’s temple is said to be 120 cubits in height, with the statement of our verse. If the dimensions here given are correct, the second temple in breadth and height was much larger than the first. The comparison in respect of size could hardly account for the disparaging criticism of certain Jews alluded to in Zechariah 4:10; Haggai 2:3. The view that the present verse does not give the actual dimensions but only the extreme limits to which the plan might be followed is too obviously an attempt to escape the difficulty to be at all a probable explanation.
Barnes' Notes on Ezra 6:3
It is difficult to reconcile the dimentions here with expressions in Zechariah Zechariah 4:10, Haggai Haggai 2:3, and even Ezra Ezra 3:12, which imply that the second temple was smaller than the first (compare 1 Kings 6:2).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 6:3
3. Be strongly laid — Gesenius and Furst render, be erected, or set up.
Sermons on Ezra 6:3
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The Eternal Conception and Decision by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the eternal purpose of God in his sermon 'The Eternal Conception and Decision', focusing on the significance of God's house as a representation of His p |
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The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill the prophecy of the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon, as foretold by Jeremiah and Isaiah. He |
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The Voice of Jeremiah by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the prophetic voice of Jeremiah, who, despite facing rejection and apparent failure, remained faithful to God's calling. Jeremiah's ministry highlighted |
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The Voice of Jeremiah (Concluded) V by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks delves into the prophetic ministry, focusing on the inclusive and representative position of Jeremiah, highlighting the various characteristics and features of all |
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(Revelation - Part 1): John Saw Further in All Directions by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Revelation and the visions that John saw. He describes how John saw various apocalyptic events, such as the sun turning black, th |
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The Significance of Levites in Relation to Heavenly Fullness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the vital role of the Levites in the context of heavenly fullness, illustrating how they were set apart to bear the ark of the covenant and maintain a c |
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Reconciliation by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the profound concept of reconciliation as highlighted in Romans 5:10-11; 11:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. He emphasizes that sin in the flesh and the spirit d |