King James Version

What Does Ezra 6:3 Mean?

Ezra 6:3 in the King James Version says “In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Ezra 6:3 · 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:

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. brought again: Chaldee, go

Read Ezra 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The quotation preserves Cyrus's specific authorization: 'let the house be builded... the place where they offered sacrifices.' This validates that temple rebuilding had imperial authorization from the beginning. The specifications for 'height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits' provided formal parameters. Cyrus's decree distinguished legitimate worship (temple) from rebellion (fortifications), addressing Persian security concerns while enabling Jewish religious life.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sixty cubits equals approximately 90 feet—substantial structure though smaller than Solomon's temple. The measurements provided official parameters preventing unauthorized expansion that could serve military purposes. Ancient rulers commonly supported religious institutions while monitoring potential rebellion. Cyrus's specific mention of sacrifice location (altar) shows detailed knowledge of Jewish worship, possibly reflecting Daniel's influence at court.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does governmental provision of specific parameters for worship demonstrate both religious liberty and legitimate state interest in order?
  2. What does Cyrus's distinction between temple (authorized) and fortifications (unauthorized) teach about different spheres of authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת1 of 25

“year”

H8140

year

חֲדָ֜ה2 of 25

“In the first”

H2298

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

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ3 of 25

“of Cyrus”

H3567

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מַלְכָּא֮4 of 25

“the king”

H4430

a king

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ5 of 25

“of Cyrus”

H3567

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מַלְכָּא֮6 of 25

“the king”

H4430

a king

שָׂ֣ם7 of 25

“made”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

טְעֵם֒8 of 25

“a decree”

H2942

properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)

בַּיְתָ֣א9 of 25

“Let the house”

H1005

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלָהָ֤א10 of 25

“of God”

H426

god

בִֽירוּשְׁלֶם֙11 of 25

“at Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

בַּיְתָ֣א12 of 25

“Let the house”

H1005

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִתְבְּנֵ֔א13 of 25

“be builded”

H1124

to build

אֲתַר֙14 of 25

“the place”

H870

a place; (adverb) after

דִּֽי15 of 25
H1768

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

דָבְחִ֣ין16 of 25

“where they offered”

H1684

to sacrifice (an animal)

דִּבְחִ֔ין17 of 25

“sacrifices”

H1685

a sacrifice

וְאֻשּׁ֖וֹהִי18 of 25

“and let the foundations”

H787

a foundation

מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין19 of 25

“thereof be strongly laid”

H5446

to erect

רוּמֵהּ֙20 of 25

“the height”

H7314

(literally) altitude

אַמִּ֥ין21 of 25

“cubits”

H521

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

שִׁתִּֽין׃22 of 25

“thereof threescore”

H8361

sixty

פְּתָיֵ֖הּ23 of 25

“and the breadth”

H6613

open, i.e., (as noun) width

אַמִּ֥ין24 of 25

“cubits”

H521

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

שִׁתִּֽין׃25 of 25

“thereof threescore”

H8361

sixty

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 6:3 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 6:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 21:162 Chronicles 36:22-1:42 Chronicles 3:3-4Deuteronomy 12:5-61 Kings 6:2-3Psalms 122:4

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 6 →

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