THE KING INITIATES A SEARCH AND DISCOVERS THE DECREE OF CYRUS, THE CONTENTS OF WHICH IS REVEALED (EZRA 6:1). Ezra 6:1 ‘Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.' In response to Tattenai's suggestion Darius in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING INSTRUCTS TATTENAI ON HOW TO PROCEED (EZRA 6:6). Having established what was in the decree of Cyrus, king Darius now issued his instructions to Tattenai and his colleagues on how they are to proceed. Not only were the returnees to be allowed to complete the building of the house of God, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DECREE IS CARRIED OUT AND THE WORK ON THE TEMPLE IS COMPLETED ACCOMPANIED BY DUE CEREMONY (EZRA 6:13). Ezra 6:13 ‘Then Tattenai, the governor of Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.' The carrying out of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WRITER NOW COMMENCES AGAIN IN HEBREW. The writer now changes back from using Aramaic to using Hebrew. This is in order that the whole passage from Ezra 4:1 to Ezra 6:22, although written mainly in Aramaic, might be enveloped in Hebrew. In the opening and closing passages, which are in Hebrew (E... [ Continue Reading ]