Ezra 6 4

Ezra 6:4 kjv

With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:

Ezra 6:4 nkjv

with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king's treasury.

Ezra 6:4 niv

with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury.

Ezra 6:4 esv

with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.

Ezra 6:4 nlt

Every three layers of specially prepared stones will be topped by a layer of timber. All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury.

Ezra 6 verses

Ezra 6 4 Meaning

King Darius I, in his decree to allow the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, specified that its foundation was to be constructed with "three rows of great stones" and "one row of new timber." Furthermore, he commanded that all the expenses related to this sacred construction would be fully covered by the royal treasury, highlighting detailed royal support and provision for the divine task.

Ezra 6 4 Context

Ezra 6:4 is an integral part of King Darius I's comprehensive decree (Ezra 6:1-12) endorsing and facilitating the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. This decree came after the temple construction, initiated by the Jewish exiles who returned under Cyrus's earlier edict, faced renewed opposition and subsequent investigation by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates. Darius's search of the royal archives located King Cyrus's original decree (Ezra 6:2-5). Consequently, Darius not only reconfirmed Cyrus's command but also issued his own definitive instructions, detailed specifications for the temple's structure, and commanded full financial support from the Persian royal treasury. This pivotal chapter culminates in the successful completion of the temple and its joyous dedication. Historically, the Jerusalem Temple had been destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC. After Cyrus's decree in 538 BC, initial rebuilding attempts struggled. Decades later, under Darius I (522-486 BC), the work resumed, culminating in the decree here. The specific mention of "three rows of great stones and one row of new timber" highlights an ancient, robust construction method, symbolizing strength and permanence for significant structures, reflecting the gravity and grandeur intended for God's house.

Ezra 6 4 Word analysis

• "with three rows":

  • Aramaic: telatin sidrîn (תלתִין סִדְרִין). Telatin means "three." Sidrîn means "rows" or "courses."
  • Signifies a robust, layered, and stable foundation. It implies depth and strength in the base structure, ensuring durability for a monumental building.
  • The repetition of structural elements was crucial for bearing the weight of a large edifice like the Temple.

• "of great stones":

  • Aramaic: dĕʾeven negiftâ (דְּאֶבֶן נְגִפְתָּא). Even means "stone." Negiftâ denotes "hewn," "dressed," or "cut" stone.
  • These were not rough, unworked stones, but carefully prepared, large, and precise blocks. This implies high quality, substantial size, and considerable effort in quarrying and shaping.
  • Such stones conveyed grandeur, expense, and permanence, befitting the sacred dwelling place of God. They underscored the Persian king's serious commitment to the project's quality.

• "and one row":

  • Aramaic: wĕsidrâ ḥad (וְסִדְרָא חַד). Had means "one" or "a single."
  • Contrasts with the triple layer of stone, indicating a distinct structural element. This single layer was not less important, but served a different function within the composite foundation.

• "of new timber":

  • Aramaic: dĕʾāʿ ḥădat (דְּאָע חֲדַת). Āʿ means "wood" or "timber." Ḥădat means "new" or "fresh."
  • "New" could indicate freshly cut and seasoned wood, ensuring optimal quality and integrity.
  • In ancient Near Eastern architecture, timber was often interwoven with stone layers. This practice provided crucial structural flexibility and seismic resistance, binding the massive stones together and making the foundation more resilient, particularly in an earthquake-prone region.
  • It also symbolically represented fresh resources and a renewed beginning for the sacred house.

• "and the expense":

  • Aramaic: wĕnipqeṯtâ (וְנִפְקְתָּא). Meaning "expenditure," "cost," "outlay," "disbursement."
  • This term encompasses all costs associated with the construction, highlighting the significant financial burden involved in such a major building project.

• "shall be paid":

  • Aramaic: titṯyĕhiv (תִּתְיְהִב). Passive voice, indicating "it shall be given" or "it shall be furnished."
  • This is a strong command from the king, ensuring guaranteed and mandatory provision. It removed any doubt about funding and responsibility.

• "from the royal treasury":

  • Aramaic: min bêt malkāʾ (מִן בֵּית מַלְכָּא). Literally "from the house of the king," referring to the royal coffers or state revenue.
  • This detail is immensely significant. It meant direct, unrestricted access to the immense wealth of the Persian Empire for the Temple's construction. This was not a levy on the returning exiles, who were often poor, but a sovereign grant.
  • It underscores God's providential working through secular powers to fund His divine purposes, fulfilling prophecies that foreign kings would support His people. It provided both financial assurance and powerful political legitimation and protection for the project.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "with three rows of great stones and one row of new timber": This detailed specification outlines the exact construction technique for the foundation. It underscores the quality and durability envisioned for the Temple. The combination of dense stone for mass and sturdy timber for flexibility was an advanced architectural strategy to create a very strong and resilient base. It also conveyed a sense of the project's significance, demanding grand and enduring materials worthy of the Divine presence.
  • "and the expense shall be paid from the royal treasury": This declaration represents an unparalleled level of state sponsorship. It eliminates the previous financial obstacles that had plagued the rebuilding efforts and establishes an official, top-down funding mechanism. This move by a pagan king demonstrates divine orchestration, turning hearts to provide for His work, solidifying the legal and financial foundation for the Temple's completion and protecting the builders from local opposition through imperial decree.

Ezra 6 4 Bonus section

• The inclusion of timber in stone foundations was a sophisticated ancient architectural practice, common in regions prone to earthquakes like Judah. The wood provided elasticity, making the foundation more stable and less prone to cracking from seismic activity or uneven settling, thereby increasing the Temple's longevity.
• The term "great stones" or "hewn stone" (Aramaic negifta) indicates a higher quality of stone-dressing than mere quarried blocks. These stones were precisely cut to fit together, creating strong and uniform courses, reflecting the skilled craftsmanship employed for important structures.
• Darius's decision to fund the project from the royal treasury wasn't merely benevolent; it was a display of imperial power and recognition of a specific local deity (Israel's God) within his vast empire. For the Jews, however, it was a profound sign of divine favor and fulfilled prophetic promises that kings would support them.
• This verse counters any claims that the builders were erecting a shoddy structure, reinforcing the legality and grandeur of the enterprise according to the highest imperial standards.

Ezra 6 4 Commentary

Ezra 6:4 articulates precise instructions from King Darius concerning the foundation of the rebuilt Temple: a formidable structure of three courses of large, prepared stones reinforced with a single course of new timber. This detailed command not only specified a robust and resilient construction method but, crucially, mandated that all expenses for the entire project would be fully paid directly from the immense royal treasury. This comprehensive royal endorsement provided both architectural quality and, most importantly, financial and political backing, resolving two major hindrances to the Temple's completion. It serves as a powerful testimony to God's sovereignty over earthly rulers, demonstrating His ability to move the hearts of even pagan kings to provide abundant resources and authority for the advancement of His divine purposes. This provision transformed the daunting task into a feasible endeavor, securing the physical and spiritual restoration of His people.