The Bible Says
Ezra 6:6-12 Meaning

In Ezra 6:6-12, King Darius responds to Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions by commanding them to allow the Jews to rebuild the temple of God. He declares, Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your colleagues, the officials of the provinces beyond the River, keep away from there (v. 6). This instruction highlights that these Persian officials, who governed the region west of the Euphrates River (often referred to in Scripture as “beyond the River”), must cease their interference. The king continues, Leave this work on the house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site (v. 7). By clarifying that the governor and elders of Judah should carry on, Darius upholds Cyrus’s original decree, ensuring that God’s temple in Jerusalem would be reestablished. During this era (approximately 522-486 BC), Darius I aimed to stabilize the territories of the Persian Empire, and honoring former royal decrees was a way to support religious and civic unity.

The king further instructs his officials on providing the necessary resources, saying, Moreover, I issue a decree concerning what you are to do for those elders of Judah in the rebuilding of this house of God: the full cost is to be paid to these people from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces beyond the River, and that without delay (v. 8). This edict ensures that the Jewish project receives financial support from local taxes and that whatever is needed, both young bulls, rams, and lambs for a burnt offering to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine, and anointing oil … is to be given to them daily without fail (v. 9). Such provisions would empower the priests to resume regular sacrifices, invoked in the instruction to pray for the life of the king and his sons (v. 10). Reflecting a broader biblical theme (2 Chronicles 7:15-16), the king recognizes God’s sovereignty and invites prayers for divine favor upon his rule and lineage.

To safeguard this decree, Darius warns that anyone who violates it will be punished: And I issued a decree that any man who violates this edict, a timber shall be drawn from his house and he shall be impaled on it (v. 11). The severity of this measure, along with turning the violator’s house into a refuse heap, underscores the king’s seriousness in protecting the temple’s reconstruction. He concludes his decree by proclaiming, May the God who has caused His name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who attempts to change it, so as to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem (v. 12). This statement calls on God Himself to be the guardian of His house. He finishes, I, Darius, have issued this decree, let it be carried out with all diligence (v. 12). Thus, Darius, sitting in a long line of Persian rulers from Cyrus to Xerxes, ensures Jerusalem’s temple is rebuilt and venerated, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for His people (John 2:19-21).