Ezra 6 14

Ezra 6:14 kjv

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 nkjv

So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 niv

So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

Ezra 6:14 esv

And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia;

Ezra 6:14 nlt

So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia.

Ezra 6 verses

Ezra 6 14 Meaning

Ezra 6:14 affirms that the second Temple in Jerusalem was successfully completed by the elders of the Jews. Their prosperity and success in this endeavor were directly linked to the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, whose words inspired action. Crucially, the completion of the Temple occurred in obedience to the express commandment of the God of Israel. This divine decree was remarkably echoed and facilitated by the decrees of the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, demonstrating God's sovereign control over earthly rulers to accomplish His will.

Ezra 6 14 Context

Ezra 6:14 marks a significant climax in the post-exilic history of the Jewish people: the completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This event followed years of halted progress, external opposition, and internal apathy (Ezra 4). Chapters 1-6 of Ezra recount the first wave of returnees from Babylonian exile under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, tasked with rebuilding the Temple. After an initial burst of effort, work ceased for about 16 years. This verse encapsulates the successful resumption and culmination of that critical endeavor. The immediate context of Ezra 6 details King Darius's search for Cyrus's original decree and his subsequent order to resume and fund the Temple's construction. This verse then celebrates the successful execution of those orders, highlighting the interplay of divine providence and human leadership, both Jewish and Persian.

Ezra 6 14 Word analysis

• And the elders (וְשָׂבֵי - wĕśāvin): In Aramaic, śāvin refers to older men, respected leaders, and often those who held authority within a community. It signifies their significant role in guiding the people and spearheading the rebuilding efforts.
• of the Jews (יְהוּדָיֵא - yəhûḏāyê): Refers to the returned exiles, the people of Judah, distinct as God's covenant nation.
• builded (בָּנַיִן - bānayin): This Aramaic verb means to build or construct. It denotes the physical labor and dedication put into the Temple's erection.
• and they prospered (וּמַצְלְחִין - ûmaṣlĕḥîn): From the Aramaic root tselaḥ, meaning to succeed, flourish, thrive, or advance. This is a key term, indicating divine favor and blessing on their efforts, beyond mere human ability or favorable circumstances. It signifies more than just completion; it implies a divinely enabled and fruitful outcome.
• through the prophesying (מִנִּבְיוּת - min-nibbîûṯ): The word nibbîûṯ in Aramaic refers to prophecy, the inspired word spoken by God's messengers. It highlights the direct causation: God's word, delivered through His prophets, was the catalyst and enabling power for their prosperity and progress.
• of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: These are specific, named individuals chosen by God to speak His message to the returned exiles. Their ministry directly addressed the people's apathy and re-ignited the zeal for rebuilding the Temple (Hag 1:1-8; Zech 1:1-6). Their prophetic word was not just prediction but powerful instruction and encouragement that spurred action.
• And they builded (וּבְנוֹ - ûḇenô): Reiteration of the act of building, emphasizing its continuous and sustained nature leading to completion.
• and finished it (וְשָׁכְלִלוּ - wĕšāḵlîlû): From the Aramaic shĕlêm, meaning to complete, perfect, or bring to an end. It stresses the successful conclusion of the monumental task.
• according to the commandment (כְּפִקְדָּם - kəfiqədām): From Aramaic peqīdhah or ṭəʿēm, referring to an authoritative order, decree, or command. This term is used for both divine and human rulers' directives, emphasizing a perfect alignment.
• of the God of Israel: This distinctive covenant name for Yahweh underscores His unique relationship with Israel and His supreme authority as the ultimate orchestrator of these events. It points to the spiritual significance of the Temple as a place for His worship.
• and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia: These kings' decrees are listed as instruments of God's overarching command. This highlights God's sovereignty over Gentile rulers. Cyrus (Ezra 1) initiated the return and decree to rebuild. Darius (Ezra 6) confirmed and enforced it, allowing the work to continue. The inclusion of Artaxerxes, whose major decrees in Ezra and Nehemiah primarily concern Ezra's return and Nehemiah's building of the walls (Ezra 7, Neh 2), is notable here. While the Temple completion occurred under Darius, Artaxerxes's mention can be understood retrospectively, affirming ongoing Persian royal support for the Jewish community and its sacred institutions, extending the narrative of imperial backing for God's purposes across generations. It demonstrates a continued endorsement of the work throughout different reigns.

• "the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying": This phrase directly connects the human effort ("builded") with divine enablement and favor ("prospered") channeled through the spoken Word of God ("prophesying"). It indicates that true success in God's work is not merely human diligence but divine backing.
• "finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia": This comprehensive statement emphasizes that the completion was due to both divine directive and human decrees aligning. It portrays God as sovereignly orchestrating the hearts and policies of even powerful gentile kings to achieve His purpose, showcasing a unique co-working that is ultimately subservient to God's will. It demonstrates divine authority underpinning political power.

Ezra 6 14 Bonus section

The narrative in Ezra 6:14 subtly offers a polemic against any notion that the Temple's completion was solely a human feat or solely dependent on royal edicts. By first stating "according to the commandment of the God of Israel," it places ultimate authority with Yahweh, then acknowledges the Persian kings as instruments. This emphasizes that even powerful empires operate within the boundaries of God's overarching purpose. The "prosperity" mentioned signifies God's blessing and favor upon the work, reminding the reader that such significant undertakings require divine empowerment, not just human effort or resources. It also offers hope for generations to come that even amidst difficulties and opposition, God's people, inspired by His word, can see His plans fulfilled through unexpected channels, including unlikely pagan rulers. The rebuilding of the physical temple foreshadowed the greater spiritual temple, the body of Christ (Eph 2:19-22), built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Ezra 6 14 Commentary

Ezra 6:14 provides a powerful summation of God's providential work in completing the Second Temple. The verse highlights three intertwined principles. First, it underscores the vital role of divine revelation: the "prospering" and progress were directly enabled by the "prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah." God's living Word ignited faith and perseverance in His people, proving that genuine spiritual success is birthed from obedience to His revealed will. Second, it reaffirms God's supreme sovereignty over all earthly authorities. The Temple's completion was ultimately "according to the commandment of the God of Israel," demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant and promises. Remarkably, this divine command found alignment and implementation through the decrees of the powerful Persian kings—Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes—showcasing God's ability to orchestrate secular governments to serve His redemptive plans. The Temple, a central institution of worship, was not merely a human endeavor but a divinely commissioned and sustained project, completed through the convergence of prophetic word, believing human action, and the decrees of powerful world rulers, all operating under God's sovereign hand. This serves as a timeless truth: God will ensure the accomplishment of His will, using various instruments for His glory.