Ezra 6:3
What does Ezra 6:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 6:3 means
The discovered decree from Cyrus’s first year states plainly that the Jerusalem temple should be rebuilt as a sacrificial center, with strong foundations and impressive dimensions—sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide. It affirms the legitimacy and importance of sacrifice in Israel’s worship, and it portrays the new house as substantial and enduring. This is not a minor shrine but a significant restoration of national worship. By memorializing this in royal law, Cyrus ensured the project had imperial sanction. God had earlier stirred Cyrus to initiate this work; now the written decree resurfaces to sustain it in a later reign.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made an order: In connection with the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be put up, the place where they make offerings, and let the earth for the bases be put in place; let it be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king hath made a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: the house let be builded in the place where they are sacrificing sacrifices, and its foundations strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In the first year of Cyrus the king: Cyrus the king decreed, that the house of God should be built, which is in Jerusalem, in the place where they may offer sacrifices, and that they lay the foundations that may support the height of threescore cubits, and the breadth of threescore cubits,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In the first year of king Cyrus, king Cyrus made a decree [concerning] the house ofGod at Jerusalem: Let the house be built for a place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be solidly laid; its height sixty cubits, its breadth sixty cubits,
Context
Having identified the record, the narrative quotes the decree’s core: authorization and scale. The mention of sacrifices and firm foundations clarifies the temple’s purpose and permanence. The coming verses (4–5) will detail construction materials, funding, and the return of sacred vessels—a practical charter for rebuilding. These specifics set the legal and logistical framework that Darius will reinforce and expand in his own orders, neutralizing local resistance and accelerating completion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 12:11
then it shall come to pass that to the place which Jehovah your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Jehovah.
- 1 Kings 6:2
And the house which king Solomon built for Jehovah, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.
- Psalms 122:4
Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, Foran ordinance for Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah.
- 2 Chronicles 3:3
Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
- Ezekiel 41:13
So he measured the house, a hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, a hundred cubits long;
- Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which Jehovah your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come;