Ezra 6:8 - Moreover I make a decree what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered.

Generated Verse: Ezra 6:8

What does "Ezra 6:8" mean?


Ezra 6:8 is a decree from King Darius of Persia concerning the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:

"Moreover I make a decree what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God:" King Darius is issuing an official order about what support should be given to the Jewish elders (leaders) to help them build the temple. This makes it clear that he is actively involved in the rebuilding project and commanding specific actions.

"that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men..." This is the core of the decree. Darius orders that the financial support for the temple construction should come from the royal treasury. "Tribute beyond the River" refers to taxes collected from the region west of the Euphrates River (from the Persian perspective), which included Judea. The phrase "with all diligence" emphasizes that the funds must be provided promptly and carefully, without delay or negligence.

"...that they not be hindered." This explains the purpose of the financial support. The goal is to ensure that the Jewish elders are not hampered or obstructed in their work on the temple. By providing the necessary resources, Darius wants to remove any financial barriers that might slow down or stop the rebuilding process.

In summary, Ezra 6:8 is a royal edict commanding that the Jewish elders be given financial resources from the royal treasury (specifically taxes from the region west of the Euphrates River) to ensure that the rebuilding of the temple proceeds smoothly and without interruption.

This verse is significant because it demonstrates the Persian Empire's policy of allowing conquered peoples to practice their religions and rebuild their places of worship. It also highlights the financial support provided by the Persian King for the reconstruction of the Jewish temple, indicating a favorable disposition towards the Jews and their religious practices.