Ezra 6 12

Ezra 6:12 kjv

And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

Ezra 6:12 nkjv

And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.

Ezra 6:12 niv

May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.

Ezra 6:12 esv

May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence."

Ezra 6:12 nlt

May the God who has chosen the city of Jerusalem as the place to honor his name destroy any king or nation that violates this command and destroys this Temple. "I, Darius, have issued this decree. Let it be obeyed with all diligence."

Ezra 6 verses

Ezra 6 12 Meaning

Ezra 6:12 declares a divine judgment against any ruler or people who attempts to obstruct, alter, or destroy the newly rebuilt House of God in Jerusalem. King Darius I, making this decree, attributes the curse to the God who chose for His Name to dwell in that sacred place, thereby placing the Temple under ultimate divine protection. The verse concludes with Darius's direct command for this decree to be executed with utmost speed and efficiency.

Ezra 6 12 Context

Ezra chapter 6 details the joyful completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Following a renewed accusation from the people beyond the River against the Jewish community for rebuilding the Temple, a search was made for Cyrus's original decree (Ezra 6:1-5). Darius I, upon finding it, issued his own decree not only to allow but to fund and protect the rebuilding efforts (Ezra 6:6-12). Verse 12 is the climax of this decree, acting as a powerful protective invocation. It is a royal endorsement combined with a recognition of Israel's God, placing the Temple's security directly under divine judgment, thereby reinforcing the Persian government's official stance against any further interference. Historically, this occurs after the initial return from exile under Zerubbabel and Joshua, around 515 BC, following a long period of discouragement and cessation of work.

Ezra 6 12 Word analysis

• And the God (וֶאֱלָהָא - wĕ’ĕlāhā’):
  • Aramaic: אֱלָהּ ('Elah) - A specific Aramaic term for "God," equivalent to Hebrew "Elohim."
  • Significance: This highlights that King Darius, a pagan ruler, is invoking the specific God of the Jews who has chosen this temple. It indicates respect or at least pragmatic acknowledgment of a foreign deity's power. It elevates this decree beyond mere human law.
• that hath caused his name to dwell there (דִּי שַׁכִּין שְׁמֵהּ תַּמָּה - dî šakkîn šᵉmêh tammāh):
  • Aramaic: שַׁכֵּן (shakken) - "to cause to dwell," "to settle." שְׁמֵהּ (shᵉmeh) - "His name." תַּמָּה (tammāh) - "there."
  • Significance: This is a distinct theological concept. God's omnipresence means He is everywhere, but "causing His name to dwell" in a place means He specifically chose that location for a unique manifestation of His presence, for worship and special blessing. It points to the sanctity and divine election of Jerusalem and its Temple. This echoes earlier biblical understanding (Deut 12:5).
• destroy (יְסַחֵר - yᵉsahēk):
  • Aramaic: סחר (sahar) - "to uproot," "to overthrow," "to abolish," "to root out."
  • Significance: A strong verb implying a total, comprehensive ruin, often used for divine judgment against nations or individuals. It conveys divine wrath and complete annihilation. It is not just about human punishment but divine retribution.
• all kings and people (כָּל־מֶלֶךְ וְעַם - kol-melek wᵉʿam):
  • Significance: The judgment applies to anyone, regardless of status. From the highest ruler to the ordinary citizen, none are exempt if they defy this divine protective decree. This universal scope reinforces the gravity of the curse.
• that shall put to their hand (דִּי יִשְׁלַח יְדֵהּ - dî yišlaḥ yᵉdeh):
  • Significance: This phrase means "to stretch out their hand" or "to attempt." It indicates any action or intent to harm or interfere with the Temple, emphasizing any active participation.
• to alter and to destroy (לְהַשְׁנָיָה וּלְחַבָּלָה - lᵉhašhnāyāh ûlᵉḥabbālāh):
  • Aramaic: לְהַשְׁנָיָה (lᵉhašhnāyāh) - "to change," "to alter." לְחַבָּלָה (lᵉḥabbālāh) - "to corrupt," "to injure," "to damage," "to ruin."
  • Significance: These two verbs cover a broad range of hostile actions. "Alter" suggests tampering, changing its design or purpose, perhaps desecrating it. "Destroy" signifies physical demolition or ruination. It protects both the physical structure and its sacred function.
• this house of God which is at Jerusalem (בֵּיתָה דְנָה דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֶם - bêṯâ dî nāh dî bîrûšlem):
  • Significance: Explicitly names the specific location and status, leaving no ambiguity. "House of God" affirms its unique holy designation, distinguishing it from any other structure.
• I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed (אֲנָה דָּרְיָוֶשׁ שְׂמֶת טְעֵם יִתְעֲבֵד אֻסְפַּרְנָא - 'ănāh Dāryāweš śᵉmeth ṭᵉʿēm yit'ăbēd 'usparnā'):
  • Aramaic: טְעֵם (ṭᵉʿēm) - "a decree," "a command." אֻסְפַּרְנָא ('usparnā') - "diligently," "exactly," "speedily," "fully."
  • Significance: This is a direct royal command. Darius reiterates his authority to solidify the decree. "With speed" emphasizes the urgency and intolerance for delay or further obstruction, reflecting the desire for immediate execution and enforcement of his decree. It signifies the absolute will of the king behind the divine imprecation.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy...": This phrase connects divine presence with divine judgment. God's presence in the Temple is not passive; it carries inherent authority and power to protect itself and those who honor it. The Aramaic for "destroy" implies an uprooting, symbolizing God's ability to utterly remove those who oppose His will.
• "...all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God...": This expansive phrase warns against any human agency, regardless of political or social standing, that interferes with the Temple's integrity. It warns against both overt physical destruction and subtle theological or ritual alteration, emphasizing that the Temple's divine purpose and physical form are inviolable. This is a divine polemic against any competing power.
• "I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.": This concludes the verse, demonstrating the remarkable confluence of human authority and divine will. The king, though not worshiping Yahweh, acknowledges the God of Israel’s power by enforcing a decree that includes divine curse. The call for "speed" reveals the practical administrative urgency behind the spiritual threat.

Ezra 6 12 Bonus section

The inclusion of such a powerful curse in a Persian royal decree is noteworthy. It reflects either a genuine belief by Darius in the power of foreign gods (perhaps based on previous divine judgments like those against Nebuchadnezzar as recorded in Daniel), or a shrewd political move to deter any further opposition to the rebuilding project by leveraging the potent belief in the God of Israel. It sets a precedent where Gentile authorities became agents of God's protective will concerning His people and His temple. This foreshadows a theme seen elsewhere in Scripture, where pagan kings (like Cyrus and Artaxerxes) are instruments in God's broader plan for His covenant people. It is a profound declaration of God's control even over world empires, emphasizing that His divine program will proceed irrespective of human opposition. The precise terminology for divine indwelling and judgment highlights a sophisticated understanding (or appropriation) of Jewish theology within the royal chancellery.

Ezra 6 12 Commentary

Ezra 6:12 serves as a formidable protection for the Second Temple, linking its sanctity directly to the protective judgment of God Himself. Darius’s decree, though from a pagan ruler, underscores a profound biblical truth: God's ultimate sovereignty transcends earthly kingdoms. His active choice to make His "Name dwell" in Jerusalem makes the Temple His unique earthly residence and a locus of His power. Any act to "alter" or "destroy" it is thus a direct affront to God, inviting sure and severe divine retribution upon "all kings and people" who attempt it. This highlights that obedience to God's will regarding His sanctuary brings favor, while defiance brings an inescapable curse. It validates the rebuilding efforts by elevating them beyond a mere human construction project into a divinely sanctioned work that must be completed and protected swiftly. The emphasis is on divine commitment and protective jealousy for His dwelling place.