1 esdras 6:21 - Now therefore, if it seem good, O king, let search be made among the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Babylon:

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 6:21

What does "1 esdras 6:21" mean?


This verse is a plea to the king (likely Darius I) to verify a historical claim. Let's break it down:

"Now therefore, if it seem good, O king...": This is a respectful and deferential way to address a monarch, suggesting a humble request. "If it please you" or "if you deem it proper" are similar interpretations.

"...let search be made among the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Babylon:": This is the core of the request. The speaker is asking the king to have his officials search the official records ("royal archives") located in Babylon. Babylon was a major administrative center of the Persian Empire, holding important historical documents. "Our lord the king" again reinforces the respect shown to the King.

In essence, the speaker is asking the king to look for documentation in the Babylonian archives that would support their case, likely related to the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This is a common tactic in ancient diplomacy - referencing past royal decrees or agreements to legitimize current requests.

In the context of 1 Esdras, this verse is part of the broader narrative where the Jews are seeking permission and resources to rebuild their temple. They believe there's a historical decree from a previous king (likely Cyrus the Great) authorizing the temple's reconstruction, and they are appealing to the current king to confirm this decree by searching the Babylonian records.

What categories does "1 esdras 6:21" have?