Ezra 4:24
What does Ezra 4:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:24 means
The chapter closes by noting that the work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased until the second year of Darius. This returns to the temple focus and likely steps back chronologically, framing verses 6–23 as a broader illustration of opposition across reigns. The effect is clear: sustained pressure, legal obstruction, and forceful action produced a long pause in rebuilding. Yet the temporal marker hints that the halt is not final. In God’s timing, authority will shift, and the work will resume. The verse acknowledges the reality of delay while quietly holding space for hope beyond human decrees.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the work of the house of God at Jerusalem came to an end; so it was stopped, till the second year of the rule of Darius, king of Persia.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then ceased the service of the house of God that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem, and it ceased till the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then the work of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem was interrupted, and ceased till the second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then ceased the work of the house ofGod which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Context
After detailing the letter to Artaxerxes and its enforcement (vv. 6–23), verse 24 resumes the main storyline about the temple, connecting the cessation to the period before work restarted under Darius. It functions as a narrative hinge, closing the parenthesis of opposition examples and preparing for the renewed building described later. The frame matters: the halt was real and long, but not permanent, setting the stage for divine providence to reopen the way through a different royal ruling.
v.23Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
v.24This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
- Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
- Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18
because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
- Nehemiah 6:3
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
- Haggai 1:15
in the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.