Ezra 6:7 kjv
Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.
Ezra 6:7 nkjv
Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.
Ezra 6:7 niv
Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.
Ezra 6:7 esv
Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site.
Ezra 6:7 nlt
Do not disturb the construction of the Temple of God. Let it be rebuilt on its original site, and do not hinder the governor of Judah and the elders of the Jews in their work.
Ezra 6 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 44:28 | "...that saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." | God uses Cyrus to command temple rebuilding. |
| Isa 45:13 | "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts." | God directs Cyrus for the Temple and return. |
| Hag 1:8 | "Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord." | Encouragement to resume temple building. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." | God's Spirit empowers Zerubbabel for the work. |
| Neh 2:18 | "Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build..." | Leaders encouraging building after opposition. |
| Ps 127:1 | "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." | God's essential role in all building projects. |
| Prov 19:21 | "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." | God's purposes ultimately prevail. |
| Dan 4:35 | "...and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" | God's sovereign control over all rulers. |
| Acts 5:38-39 | "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it..." | Principle: God's work cannot be stopped. |
| Lam 3:37 | "Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?" | Only God's word ensures accomplishment. |
| 1 Kgs 6:1 | "And it came to pass... in the fourth year of Solomon's reign... he began to build the house of the Lord." | Original temple building. |
| 1 Chr 22:7-10 | David's desire and Solomon's charge to build the first temple. | God chooses and commissions the temple builder. |
| Jer 29:10-14 | Promise of restoration and return after 70 years of exile. | God's timing for restoration. |
| Ezra 1:1-4 | Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple. | Fulfillment of prophecy, beginning of restoration. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." | Governing authorities are instituted by God. |
| Tit 3:1 | "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." | Submitting to legitimate earthly authorities. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | "...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." | Spiritual Temple as God's dwelling place. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "...for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them..." | Believers as the living Temple of God. |
| Ezra 5:3 | "At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai... and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house...?" | Preceding inquiry from Tattenai. |
| Ezra 6:3-5 | Darius finds Cyrus's original decree concerning the Temple. | The foundational imperial decree confirmed. |
| Ezra 6:11-12 | Darius's stringent decree protecting the Temple and its builders. | Royal decree affirming and protecting the work. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." | Spiritual building of God's people. |
Ezra 6 verses
Ezra 6 7 Meaning
Ezra 6:7 records the Persian governor Tattenai's official recommendation to King Darius regarding the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. His advice is twofold: firstly, to cease interfering with the Jewish builders and "leave the work of this house of God alone"; and secondly, to formally grant permission and support for "the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews [to] build this house of God in its place." This pivotal verse signals a turning point from imperial scrutiny to endorsement, allowing the completion of the Second Temple according to divine and past royal decrees.
Ezra 6 7 Context
Ezra chapter 6 details King Darius's crucial role in confirming the decree of Cyrus, which authorized the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. Earlier, in Ezra chapter 5, the Persian governor Tattenai, hearing of the renewed building activities, questioned the Jewish leaders (Zerubbabel and Jeshua) about their authority. They referred him to Cyrus's initial decree. This verse, Ezra 6:7, is Tattenai's summary recommendation to King Darius, urging him not only to halt interference but to officially permit the project to proceed. This occurred after a diligent search for Cyrus’s original mandate confirmed its existence in the royal archives. The historical context is the post-exilic return of the Jews to Judah, a time when they were striving to re-establish their religious and national identity under Persian overlordship, often facing local opposition. The chapter culminates in Darius's powerful decree to support the Temple construction financially and protect its builders, ensuring the work's completion.
Ezra 6 7 Word analysis
- Let the work alone:
- "Let alone" (Aramaic: שְׁבֻקוּ, shibuqu): This imperative verb means "to leave," "to abandon," "to allow to be." It signifies a directive of non-interference or ceasing opposition. It marks a shift from suspicion to an affirmation of non-disruption, following the discovery of Cyrus's original decree.
- "work" (Aramaic: עֲבִידְתָּא, 'avidta'): Refers specifically to the ongoing construction activities of the Temple. It implies labor and effort dedicated to this divine purpose.
- of this house of God:
- "house of God" (Aramaic: בֵּית־אֱלָהָא, beit-elaha): A standard biblical designation for the Temple in Jerusalem. It underscores the sacred nature of the building as the dwelling place chosen by God. Its rebuilding signifies the restoration of legitimate worship and covenant relationship in Jerusalem.
- let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build:
- "governor of the Jews": Refers to Zerubbabel, the Davidic descendant appointed by Persia to lead the returning exiles. His role signifies a divinely chosen and administratively recognized civil leader.
- "elders of the Jews": Represents the respected religious and communal leaders who provided guidance and oversight for the rebuilding. Together with the governor, they constituted the legitimate Jewish authority responsible for the project. This highlights communal effort under established, recognized leadership.
- "build" (Aramaic: יִבְנוֹן, yibnon): An imperative that indicates active authorization and empowerment for construction. It transitions from mere non-interference to active endorsement of their activity.
- this house of God in his place:
- "in his place" (Aramaic: בַּאֲתְרֵהּ, ba'at'reih): This emphasizes the specific, divinely ordained, and historically sacred location of the Temple in Jerusalem. It unequivocally links the Second Temple to the First Temple's holy site, affirming the continuity and authenticity of worship at that precise, chosen location.
Ezra 6 7 Bonus section
This verse highlights the commendable administrative structure of the Persian Empire, characterized by its systematic record-keeping and respect for legal precedents set by previous rulers. Tattenai's actions illustrate the imperial protocol of thorough inquiry and factual verification preceding official judgment, a practice that inadvertently served God's ultimate purpose for His people. This administrative integrity, while secular in nature, was instrumental in facilitating the fulfillment of long-standing prophetic promises concerning the restoration of the Temple and the Jewish exiles. The dual mention of "the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews" precisely acknowledges both the appointed civil (Zerubbabel) and the established religious/community leadership (elders) within the returned exilic community, vital for organized, accountable progression of the rebuilding project. Their joint designation as the responsible parties further legitimized the construction efforts in the eyes of both the Jewish population and the encompassing Persian administration.
Ezra 6 7 Commentary
Ezra 6:7 stands as a critical juncture, exemplifying how God's sovereign will works through diverse means, including secular governmental processes. Governor Tattenai, having diligently investigated the matter, moves from initial inquiry to a recommendation of full permission and protection for the Temple rebuilding. This pivotal shift is rooted not in his personal religious belief but in his faithful adherence to imperial law and verified decrees. Once Cyrus’s initial decree, superintended by divine providence, was confirmed in the royal archives, a scrupulous civil servant like Tattenai recognized its supreme authority. The verse vividly portrays the triumph of divine truth and righteous governance over human suspicion and opposition. It assures us that when God's purposes are at work, His plan cannot be ultimately thwarted. The directive to allow Zerubbabel and the elders to build "in his place" firmly underscores the unshakeable significance of the Temple site as God's chosen dwelling and a central anchor for the Jewish people's identity and worship. This narrative calls believers to perseverance and faithful obedience to God's commands even amidst adversity, with the conviction that His counsel will always stand.