Ezra 6:3 - 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;
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What does "Ezra 6:3" mean?
This verse, Ezra 6:3, describes a decree issued by Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia, concerning the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning:
"In the first year of Cyrus the king...": This establishes the time frame for the decree - the first year of Cyrus' reign over Babylon (which included Judah). This is important because it marks the beginning of the Jews' return from exile.
"...Cyrus the king made a decree:": This introduces the core of the verse - an official order or edict from Cyrus, carrying legal and political weight.
"Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built...": This specifies the subject of the decree: the Temple of the Jewish God in Jerusalem. Cyrus commands that the Temple should be rebuilt.
"...the place where they offer sacrifices...": This explains the purpose of the Temple. It is the designated location for the offering of sacrifices, a central aspect of Jewish worship.
"...and let its foundations be strongly laid...": This emphasizes the importance of a solid foundation for the rebuilt Temple. It should be built to last.
"...with its height sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits;": This provides specific dimensions for the Temple. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equal to the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 cm). So, the Temple was to be approximately 90 feet (27 meters) high and 90 feet wide.
In summary, this verse conveys that Cyrus the Great authorized and commanded the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, specifying its purpose (sacrifices) and providing dimensions for its construction. This decree was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, enabling the return from exile and the restoration of religious life in Jerusalem.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This decree is seen by many as a fulfillment of prophecies in the Hebrew Bible, such as those found in Isaiah and Jeremiah, predicting the return of the Jews from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple.
Religious Tolerance: Cyrus' action is often interpreted as an act of religious tolerance. While he was not Jewish himself, he respected the religious beliefs of the people he conquered and allowed them to rebuild their places of worship.
Historical Context: This decree provides valuable insight into the political and religious landscape of the ancient Near East. It demonstrates the Persian Empire's policy of allowing conquered peoples to maintain their own customs and religions, which helped to maintain stability and loyalty within the empire.
Rebuilding of Identity: The rebuilding of the Temple was crucial for the Jewish people to re-establish their identity and their connection to their land and their God after the trauma of exile. It provided a focal point for their community and a place to resume their religious practices.
The verse is a testament to the historical events that shaped Jewish history and the lasting impact of Cyrus the Great's decree. It is a fundamental text in understanding the return from exile and the subsequent rebuilding of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Ezra 6:3 - 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;
What does "Ezra 6:3" mean?
This verse, Ezra 6:3, describes a decree issued by Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia, concerning the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down its meaning:
"In the first year of Cyrus the king...": This establishes the time frame for the decree - the first year of Cyrus' reign over Babylon (which included Judah). This is important because it marks the beginning of the Jews' return from exile.
"...Cyrus the king made a decree:": This introduces the core of the verse - an official order or edict from Cyrus, carrying legal and political weight.
"Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built...": This specifies the subject of the decree: the Temple of the Jewish God in Jerusalem. Cyrus commands that the Temple should be rebuilt.
"...the place where they offer sacrifices...": This explains the purpose of the Temple. It is the designated location for the offering of sacrifices, a central aspect of Jewish worship.
"...and let its foundations be strongly laid...": This emphasizes the importance of a solid foundation for the rebuilt Temple. It should be built to last.
"...with its height sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits;": This provides specific dimensions for the Temple. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equal to the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 cm). So, the Temple was to be approximately 90 feet (27 meters) high and 90 feet wide.
In summary, this verse conveys that Cyrus the Great authorized and commanded the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, specifying its purpose (sacrifices) and providing dimensions for its construction. This decree was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, enabling the return from exile and the restoration of religious life in Jerusalem.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This decree is seen by many as a fulfillment of prophecies in the Hebrew Bible, such as those found in Isaiah and Jeremiah, predicting the return of the Jews from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple.
Religious Tolerance: Cyrus' action is often interpreted as an act of religious tolerance. While he was not Jewish himself, he respected the religious beliefs of the people he conquered and allowed them to rebuild their places of worship.
Historical Context: This decree provides valuable insight into the political and religious landscape of the ancient Near East. It demonstrates the Persian Empire's policy of allowing conquered peoples to maintain their own customs and religions, which helped to maintain stability and loyalty within the empire.
Rebuilding of Identity: The rebuilding of the Temple was crucial for the Jewish people to re-establish their identity and their connection to their land and their God after the trauma of exile. It provided a focal point for their community and a place to resume their religious practices.
The verse is a testament to the historical events that shaped Jewish history and the lasting impact of Cyrus the Great's decree. It is a fundamental text in understanding the return from exile and the subsequent rebuilding of the Jewish community in Jerusalem.