Ezra Chapter 6
Decrees of Cyrus and Darius. 6:1- 12. …..Darius not only succeeded in discovering Cyrus' decree concerning the Jews and their Temple, but made one of his own, ordering Tatnai to help the Jews in their work and threatening those who altered the decree.
V 1,2. The house of the rolls . . . in Babylon .... at Achmetha. the vast complexity of the Persian Empire and the general confusion that accompanied the shift of royal power from the line of Cyrus to the line of Darius in 521 B.C.. help to explain why some earlier decrees would have been forgotten. But it is a tribute to the efficiency of the Persian administration that records were safely filed in an elaborate network of archives centring in Babylon and reaching to branch libraries as far distant as Achmetha (Ecbatana), capital of the old Median empire.
The rolls ( v. 1) should mean archives
But a roll (v. 2) means a papyrus or leather scroll (different Hebrew word), instead of the usual clay tablet. Possibly all the ancient scrolls were stored in the library at Ecbatana because the air was not so hot and humid there as it was in Babylon.
V 3. For an explanation of the differences between this decree of Cyrus and that of
Ezra ch 1
While that was a public proclamation, this was a more detailed official counterpart for the archives. The height was threescore cubits. The porch of Solomon's Temple was twice this height (II Chr 3:4).
8. Moreover I make a decree. Not only did Darius warn Tamai to leave the Jews alone because of Cyrus' decree, but he also added one of his own which must have stunned Tatnai and his companions.
Of the tribute beyond the river . . . expenses be given unto these men. Ch.6 v 4. This probably cut into Tatnai's own pocket, for he took his share from the tribute.
10. Offer sacrifices . unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king. Darius could easily say this without abandoning his polytheism.
Praying for kings is implied in Jeremiah's command to Jewish exiles (Jer 29 v 7). t this was done in later centuries too (I Maccabees 7 v 33; 12 v 11; Ios Antiq. 12.2.5).
11. Let timber be pulled down. . . let him be hanged thereon. Darius impaled 3,000 Babylonians after conquering their city. so this was no idle threat! Let his house be made a dunghill. Dan 2 v 5; 3 v 29; II Kgs 9 v 37.
The Temple is Finished. 6 v 13-22….
With the help of secular rulers and godly prophets, the Jews finished their Temple within five years, and dedicated it to Jehovah with great joy.
A month later, multitudes gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
14. The commandment _of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Ezra is careful to add the name of his own king, Artaxerxes, because he helped in the maintenance of the Temple (7 v 15,16,21).
15. The third day of the month Adar. That was March 12, 515 B.C. four and a half years after the work was begun in earnest. While the Temple was being built, the events of Zechariah 7 occurred. 17. Solomon offered more than two hundred times as many oxen and sheep at the dedication of his Temple! (I Kgs 8 v 63)
19. The Passover. This was April 21, .515 B.C. just five weeks after the Temple had been dedicated. ….
Beginning with this verse, the text is again in Hebrew. Previously it was written in the Persian language
20. The priests and the Levites were purified together
As one, without exception. Levites replaced heads of families (Ex 12 v 6) and slaughtered Passover lambs for both laity (who might be unclean) and priests (who were too busy).
II Chr 35 v 11, 14,15
21. Two groups of Jews are mentioned here, those who had returned from Babylon, and those who had remained in the land, mixed with the heathen population ( II Kgs 17 v 33) .
22. The king of Assyria. Since the Persians now ruled the former Assyrian territories, it could be said that Darius was king of Assyria, even as Cyrus was king of Babylon.
News from the Church New dates
6th May..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
20th May…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
ANSWERS TO 26th April QUESTIONS
1) They laughed 2) 99 years old 3) Lot and his 2 daughters 4) She was turned into a pillar of salt
5) The Moabites and Ammonites 6) Abraham 7) She was his half sister 8) Isaac
9) Sarah she was 127 years old 10) In Machpelah 11) His faith 12)Rebekah 13) Laban
14) Six children 15) 175 years old 16) The Arab nations
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Genesis
1 How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah?
2 Who were the children of Isaac and Rebekah?
3 Who was born first?
4 Who was Esau famous for?
5 What did Esau get for his birthright ?
6 What was Isaacs occupation?
7 Who helped Jacob get the birthright?
8 Who were the wives of Esau ?
9 Who was Rachel and Leah’s father?
10 How long did Jacob work for his wives?
11 Who was Jacob’s first wife?
12 Who was his second wife.?
13 What is Jacob remembered for?
14 How many children were born to Jacob?
15 Where do we find the Mizpah benediction?
16 Who wrestled with an Angel
God Bless