Ezra 6:2
What does Ezra 6:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 6:2 means
The search uncovers a record at Achmetha in Media, not in Babylon. The important point is that a genuine “roll” is found, containing the relevant decree. This discovery vindicates the Jewish claim and demonstrates the breadth and complexity of Persian administration—records could be stored across various royal centers. God uses this archival find to bring hidden support to light at exactly the right time. Humanly, it is a fortunate retrieval; spiritually, it is providence opening a door that opposition could not close, ensuring that the people’s labor has lawful standing and imperial protection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written for a record:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written for a record:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And at Achmetha, in the great house of the king in the land of Media, they came across a roll, in which this statement was put on record:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there hath been found at Achmetha, in a palace that <FI>is<Fi> in the province of Media, a roll, and a record thus written within it <FI>is<Fi> :
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there was found in Ecbatana, which is a castle in the province of Media, a book in which this record was written.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there was found at Achmetha in the fortress that is in the province of Media a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
Context
After ordering a search, the story reports where the crucial document appears: in Achmetha. The narrative narrows from the general command to search, to the specific place and scroll that matter. Next, the content of Cyrus’s decree will be quoted (verses 3–5), establishing the dimensions, funding, and restitution of temple vessels. This content becomes the legal foundation for Darius’s subsequent orders to the regional officials to allow and even aid the rebuilding.
v.1Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
v.2This passage
v.3In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away unto Assyria, and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.