King James Version

What Does Ezra 6:2 Mean?

Ezra 6:2 in the King James Version says “And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record th...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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: Achmetha: or, Ecbatana, or, in a coffer”

Ezra 6:2 · KJV

Context

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. rolls: Chaldee, books laid up: Chaldee, made to descend

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: Achmetha: or, Ecbatana, or, in a coffer

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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The decree's discovery 'at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes' specifies precise location. This geographical precision enhances historical credibility. The roll (scroll) containing Cyrus's decree provided documentary proof validating Jewish authorization. Ancient rulers' decrees had legal force—finding it meant Darius must honor his predecessor's commitment. God orchestrated history so that truth would be officially discovered and validated at the exact moment needed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Achmetha (Ecbatana) served as Persian summer capital due to cooler mountain climate. The palace archives preserved important state documents. The decree's specific location there rather than in Babylon or Persepolis suggests it was filed when issued during Cyrus's early reign. Archaeological excavation of Ecbatana has been limited, but Persian palace remains confirm elaborate governmental complexes with administrative functions.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the specific geographical detail teach about biblical text's historical reliability and concern for verifiable facts?
  2. How does God's timing in revealing the decree precisely when needed demonstrate His sovereign control over historical processes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְהִשְׁתְּכַ֣ח1 of 12

“And there was found”

H7912

to discover (literally or figuratively)

בְּאַחְמְתָ֗א2 of 12

“at Achmetha”

H307

achmetha (i.e., ecbatana), the summer capital of persia

בְּבִֽירְתָ֛א3 of 12

“in the palace”

H1001

a palace

דִּ֛י4 of 12
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בְּמָדַ֥י5 of 12

“of the Medes”

H4076

madai, a country of central asia

מְדִינְתָּ֖ה6 of 12

“that is in the province”

H4083

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

מְגִלָּ֣ה7 of 12

“roll”

H4040

a roll

חֲדָ֑ה8 of 12

“a”

H2298

as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once

וְכֵן9 of 12

“thus”

H3652

so

כְּתִ֥יב10 of 12

“written”

H3790

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּגַוַּ֖הּ11 of 12

“and therein”

H1459

the middle

דִּכְרוֹנָֽה׃12 of 12

“was a record”

H1799

a register

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 6:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 6:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 17:6

Places in This Verse

EcbatanaSettlement · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E1 verse across 1 book
MediaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E11 verses across 5 books
View all places in Ezra 6 →

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