Ezra 6:3
New International Version
In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,

New Living Translation
“In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, a decree was sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem. “Let the Temple be rebuilt on the site where Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundations. Its height will be ninety feet, and its width will be ninety feet.

English Standard Version
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits,

Berean Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,

King James Bible
In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

New King James Version
In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: “Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits,

New American Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: ‘Concerning the house of God in Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt, and let its foundations be repaired, its height being sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits,

NASB 1995
“In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: ‘Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained, its height being 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits;

NASB 1977
“In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: ‘Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained, its height being 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits;

Legacy Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: ‘Concerning the house of God in Jerusalem, let that house, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained, its height being 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits;

Amplified Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: ‘Concerning the house of God in Jerusalem, let the temple (house), the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be strongly laid, its height and its width each 60 cubits,

Christian Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its original foundations be retained. Its height is to be ninety feet and its width ninety feet,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its original foundations be retained. Its height is to be 90 feet and its width 90 feet,

American Standard Version
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

Contemporary English Version
that in the first year Cyrus was king, he gave orders to rebuild God's temple in Jerusalem, so that sacrifices and offerings could be presented there. It is to be built 27 meters high and 27 meters wide,

English Revised Version
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree; Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Date: Cyrus' first year as king From: King Cyrus Subject: God's temple in Jerusalem. The temple should be rebuilt as a place to offer sacrifices. Its foundation should be laid. It should be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide

Good News Translation
"In the first year of his reign Emperor Cyrus commanded that the Temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt as a place where sacrifices are made and offerings are burned. The Temple is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide.

International Standard Version
DATE: First year of Cyrus the King FROM: King Cyrus SUBJECT: The Temple of God in Jerusalem Let the Temple be rebuilt where they offered sacrifices. Let the foundations thereof be laid with a height of 60 cubits and a width of 60 cubits,

Majority Standard Bible
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,

NET Bible
In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus gave orders concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: 'Let the temple be rebuilt as a place where sacrifices are offered. Let its foundations be set in place. Its height is to be ninety feet and its width ninety feet,

New Heart English Bible
In the first year of Kurush the king, Kurush the king made a decree: Concerning God's house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, and its breadth sixty cubits;

Webster's Bible Translation
In the first year of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations of it be strongly laid; the hight of it sixty cubits, and the breadth of it sixty cubits;

World English Bible
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid, with its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king has made a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: let the house be built in the place where they are sacrificing sacrifices, and its foundations strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits;

Young's Literal Translation
'In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king hath made a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: the house let be builded in the place where they are sacrificing sacrifices, and its foundations strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits;

Smith's Literal Translation
In one year to Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king set a decree of the house of God in Jerusalem, The house shall be built, the place that they sacrificed sacrifices, and its foundations being erected; its height sixty cubits, and its breadth sixty cubits;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the first year of Cyrus the king: Cyrus the king decreed, that the house of God should be built, which is in Jerusalem, in the place where they may offer sacrifices, and that they lay the foundations that may support the height of threescore cubits, and the breadth of threescore cubits,

Catholic Public Domain Version
“In the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king decreed that the house of God, which is in Jerusalem, shall be built in the place where they immolate victims, and that they should set the foundations so as to support a height of sixty cubits and a width of sixty cubits,

New American Bible
In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: With regard to the house of God in Jerusalem: the house is to be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices and bringing burnt offerings. Its height is to be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits.

New Revised Standard Version
In the first year of his reign, King Cyrus issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree, and commanded that the house of God which is in Jerusalem shall be rebuilt in the place where they offered sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid; its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth twenty cubits,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“In the year one of King Kurash, the King established a law and commanded them that in the house of God that is in Jerusalem a place of sacrifice shall be built in which they sacrifice, and its foundations were laid; its height sixty cubits and its width, twenty cubits.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the holy house of God that was in Jerusalem, saying, Let the house be built, and the place where they sacrifice the sacrifices. (Also he appointed its elevation, in height sixty cubits; its breadth was of sixty cubits.)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Darius
2And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum: 3In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, 4with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Ezra 1:1-4
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. ...

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”

Haggai 1:1-2
In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating / that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’”

Zechariah 4:9
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.

Daniel 9:25
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.

1 Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 6:37-38
The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv. / In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in every detail and according to every specification. So he built the temple in seven years.

2 Kings 25:9
He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.

Nehemiah 2:8
And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Nehemiah 2:18
I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.

Matthew 24:1-2
As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. / “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Acts 7:47-50
But it was Solomon who built the house for Him. / However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? ...


Treasury of Scripture

In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof three score cubits, and the breadth thereof three score cubits;

the first year

Ezra 1:1-4
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, …

Ezra 5:13-15
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God…

2 Chronicles 36:22,23
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, …

the place

Deuteronomy 12:5,6,11-14
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: …

2 Chronicles 2:6
But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

Psalm 122:4
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

the height

1 Kings 6:2,3
And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits…

2 Chronicles 3:3,4
Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits…

Ezekiel 41:13-15
So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long; …

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Ezra 6
1. Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, makes a new decree for building
13. By the help of Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai the temple is finished
16. The feast of the dedication is kept
19. and the Passover














In the first year of King Cyrus
This phrase sets the historical context for the decree. King Cyrus of Persia, known for his policy of religious tolerance, issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The first year of his reign over Babylon was 538 BC. This decree is significant as it fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10) and demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations and rulers. Cyrus is seen as an instrument of God's plan, highlighting the divine orchestration in historical events.

the king issued a decree
The decree issued by Cyrus is a legal and authoritative command. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's decree was irrevocable and carried the weight of law. This decree not only allowed the Jews to return but also provided resources for the rebuilding of the temple. It underscores the theme of divine providence, as God uses even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes.

concerning the house of God in Jerusalem
The "house of God" refers to the temple, the central place of worship for the Israelites. Its location in Jerusalem is significant, as Jerusalem is the city chosen by God for His name to dwell (2 Chronicles 6:6). The rebuilding of the temple symbolizes the restoration of the Jewish community and their covenant relationship with God. It also points to the importance of worship and the presence of God among His people.

Let the house be rebuilt
This command to rebuild the temple is a call to restore the worship and religious practices of the Jewish people. The temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and its reconstruction is a sign of hope and renewal. The rebuilding process is not just a physical act but a spiritual renewal, emphasizing the importance of obedience and dedication to God.

as a place to present sacrifices
Sacrifices were central to the worship practices of the Israelites, serving as a means of atonement and communion with God. The temple as a place for sacrifices highlights its role as a spiritual center where the people could seek forgiveness and express their devotion. This phrase underscores the importance of sacrificial worship in maintaining a right relationship with God.

and let its foundations be firmly laid
The laying of the foundations signifies the beginning of the construction process and the establishment of a firm and enduring structure. In a spiritual sense, it represents the need for a strong foundation in faith and obedience to God's commands. The emphasis on firm foundations can also be seen as a metaphor for the stability and permanence of God's promises and His covenant with His people.

(3) Strongly laid.--"Thy foundation shall be laid" (Isaiah 44:28). The decree adds a word that signifies "with sufficient support."

Verse 3. - Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifice. Or, "the place where they may offer sacrifice." It is the future, rather than the past, which Cyrus is contemplating. Let the foundation thereof be strongly laid. Isaiah had prophesied that Cyrus should "say to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid" (Isaiah 44:28). Cyrus adds an injunction that the foundations be laid "supportingly," or "strongly," that so the house may the longer continue. The height thereof threescore cubits. Half the height of the first temple, according to the existing text of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 3:4); but one-third more than the previous height, as estimated by the author of Kings (1 Kings 6:2). And the breadth thereof threescore cubits. This breadth is thrice that of the main building, according to both Chronicles and Kings. It is even double that of the old temple, with the side chambers, which occupied a space of five cubits, or seven and a half feet, on either wing. That such an enlargement actually took effect would seem to be most improbable; and we may perhaps conclude that Cyrus designed a building on a grander scale than Zerubbabel, with the resources at his disposal, was able to erect. It is curious that Cyrus did not in his decree specify the length of the temple.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the first
חֲדָ֜ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

year
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת (biš·naṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140: A year

of King
מַלְכָּ֗א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Cyrus,
לְכ֣וֹרֶשׁ (lə·ḵō·w·reš)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3567: Cyrus -- a person king

he
כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ (kō·w·reš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3567: Cyrus -- a person king

issued
שָׂ֣ם (śām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

a decree [concerning]
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֤א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem:
בִֽירוּשְׁלֶם֙ (ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

Let the house
בַּיְתָ֣א (bay·ṯā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1005: A house

be rebuilt
יִתְבְּנֵ֔א (yiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

as a place
אֲתַר֙ (’ă·ṯar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 870: A place, after

for
דִּֽי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

offering
דָבְחִ֣ין (ḏā·ḇə·ḥîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1684: To sacrifice

sacrifices,
דִּבְחִ֔ין (diḇ·ḥîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1685: A sacrifice

and let its foundations
וְאֻשּׁ֖וֹהִי (wə·’uš·šō·w·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 787: A foundation

be firmly laid.
מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין (mə·sō·wḇ·lîn)
Verb - Hifil - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 5446: To bear, carry (a load)

It is to be sixty
שִׁתִּ֔ין (šit·tîn)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8361: Sixty

cubits
אַמִּ֣ין (’am·mîn)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 521: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

high
רוּמֵהּ֙ (rū·mêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7314: Altitude

[and] sixty
שִׁתִּֽין׃ (šit·tîn)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8361: Sixty

cubits
אַמִּ֥ין (’am·mîn)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 521: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

wide,
פְּתָיֵ֖הּ (pə·ṯā·yêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6613: Open, width


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OT History: Ezra 6:3 In the first year of Cyrus (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 6:2
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