And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

EZRA 6:2KJV
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Ezra 6:2 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:2 mean?

Ezra 6:2 describes how a scroll was found in the palace at Achmetha, in the province of the Medes, containing an official record. This discovery is important because it provides written evidence related to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

The verse is set during the time when Persian officials were searching for a decree from King Cyrus about the Jewish temple’s reconstruction. The scroll was located in Achmetha (also known as Ecbatana), which was a royal city of the Medes. The record found there would play a key role in confirming the Jews’ right to rebuild their temple.

The Hebrew / Aramaic behind Ezra 6:2

  • אַחְמְתָא (Achmetha, transliterated "Achmetha"): This is the name of the city where the scroll was found, known historically as Ecbatana, a significant administrative center for the Medes and Persians. Its mention shows the search went beyond Babylon, highlighting the thoroughness of the investigation.
  • גְּוַהֵי (palace, transliterated "gevah"): This word refers to a royal palace or fortress, emphasizing that the document was kept in an official, secure location, not just any building.
  • מְדִינְתָּא (province, transliterated "medinta"): This term points to the administrative division of the Medes, clarifying the political geography involved.
  • דִּכְרָנָא (record, transliterated "dikhrana"): This word means a memorandum or official record, stressing that what was found was a formal, authoritative document, not just a casual note.

Why Ezra 6:2 matters

  • Ezra 6:2 clarifies that the search for the decree was extensive and reached into the heart of Persian administration, not just local archives.
  • The verse highlights the importance of written, official records in ancient royal administration, showing how decisions were preserved and could be referenced years later.
  • This discovery sets up the legal and historical foundation for the events that follow, as the contents of the scroll directly affect the Jewish community’s ability to continue rebuilding the temple.

Where else these words appear

“record” Hebrew H1799 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

“Medes” Hebrew H4076 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
  • Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
  • Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

“written” Hebrew H3790 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
  • Daniel 6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

“thus” Hebrew H3652 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
  • Daniel 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
  • Daniel 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.