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.

Where else these words appear

“prophet” Hebrew H5029 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

“prospered” Hebrew H6744 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
  • Daniel 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
  • Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

“elders” Hebrew H7868 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
  • Ezra 5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
  • Ezra 6:7 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.

“commandment” Hebrew H2941 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
  • Ezra 7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?