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 6:14KJV
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Ezra 6:14 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:14 mean?

Ezra 6:14 describes how the Jewish leaders successfully rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem, helped by the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, and completed the work as directed by both God and the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. The verse highlights that the rebuilding was both a spiritual and a political achievement, carried out under divine guidance and royal authority.

The verse is part of a historical account showing the return of the Jewish people from exile and their efforts to restore their place of worship. The elders of the Jews are the main actors, working under the influence of prophetic messages and with official approval from powerful Persian rulers. This cooperation between faith and government allowed the temple project to move forward and reach completion.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 6:14

  • "prospered" (צְלַח, tselach): This word means to succeed or advance. Here, it emphasizes that the elders’ progress was not just due to their own effort, but because they were encouraged and strengthened by the prophets’ words.
  • "prophesying" (נְבוּאָה, nevu'ah): This refers to the act of speaking God’s message. The verse points out that the rebuilding was inspired and energized by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, whose messages gave hope and direction.
  • "commandment" (טְעֵם, te'em and פִּתְגָם, pitgam): Two different words for "commandment" are used—one for God’s command and one for the Persian kings’ decrees. This shows that the project was supported by both divine will and human authority.

Why Ezra 6:14 matters

  • Ezra 6:14 clears up the idea that the temple was rebuilt solely by human effort; it shows that prophetic encouragement and royal permission were both crucial.
  • The verse connects the spiritual leadership of the prophets with the practical leadership of the elders, highlighting the importance of both roles in the community’s restoration.
  • By naming the Persian kings, the verse places the rebuilding in a real historical context and shows that God’s purposes can work through secular authorities.