Ezra 6:14
What does Ezra 6:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 6:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 6:14 means
The elders build and prosper through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah. God’s word, delivered by prophets, energizes and directs the people. The narrator also credits the work as done according to the commandment of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, acknowledging both divine and imperial instruments across reigns. The synergy is clear: God’s command undergirds the project; royal decrees remove obstacles. Human leaders respond, and the work is finished. Spiritual encouragement and practical authorization together advance God’s purposes among His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the elders of the Jews builded and 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 decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the elders of the Jews builded and 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 decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the responsible men of the Jews went on with their building, and did well, helped by the teaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, the son of Iddo. They went on building till it was complete, in keeping with the word of the God of Israel, and the orders given by Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the elders of the Jews are building and prospering through the prophecy of Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah son of Iddo, and they have built and finished by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the ancients of the Jews built, and prospered according to the prophecy of Aggeus the prophet, and of Zacharias the son of Addo: and they built and finished, by the commandment of the God of Israel, and by the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes kings of the Persians.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the elders of the Jews built; and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and completed [it] according to the commandment of theGod of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Context
After reporting official compliance, the text highlights the deeper cause of success: prophetic ministry. This underlines that the temple is not merely a political project but an act of obedience to God’s revealed will. The next verse (15) will date the completion, anchoring the account historically. Then the narrative will move to dedication and reordering of worship (vv. 16–18), followed by the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 19–22), signaling full restoration of communal life with God at the center.
v.13Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.
v.14This passage
v.15And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, andput italso in writing, saying,
- Ezra 3:8
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Jehovah.
- Ezra 4:24
Then 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.
- Zechariah 6:1
And again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
- Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
- Haggai 2:2
Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,