Verse Lens · Expanded explanation

Ezra 6:8 Explained in Context

Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.

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Verse 8. Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions

Quick Meaning

This verse redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs

Read It With

  • Ezra 6:6–12

Read Ezra 6:6–12 together. This verse redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs Read Ezra 6:6–12 as one complete Ezra thought unit: Darius orders provincial officials not to obstruct the temple, to fund it from royal revenue, and to supply daily offerings so priests may pray for the royal family; the decree closes with brutal penalties for violation.

Why This Verse Appears Here

The decree turns archive evidence into material support while exposing the violence and self-interest present in favorable imperial patronage. Within that movement, this verse redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs

Read Ezra 6:6–12 together

Why these verses belong together: Darius's commands to withdraw, permit, fund, supply offerings, request prayer, and punish alteration form one enforcement decree; verse 13 reports compliance.

Verse 6. Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

Verse 7. Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Verse 8. Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

Verse 9. And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

Verse 10. That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Verse 11. Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

Verse 12. And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

Follow the Context

  1. Darius orders Tattenai and colleagues to keep away and let the elders build.
  2. Royal revenue must reimburse costs and provide sacrificial supplies day by day.
  3. The king requests prayer for himself and his sons and threatens impalement or related execution and destruction for interference.

What This Verse Is Not Saying

Ezra 6:8 does not turn the fact that it redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs into a standalone universal rule. State funding does not make the empire disinterested or righteous.

What Remains True

Within Ezra's own literary movement, Ezra 6:8 redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs.

How It Can Shape Life

  • Apply Ezra 6:8 by noticing that it redirects provincial tribute to immediate temple construction costs; in a comparable situation, use lawful grants only with clear safeguards against political capture, extracted harm, retaliation, and compulsory religion.

Teach It Back

Explain Ezra 6:8's precise role in Ezra 6:6–12. Include its Persian-period, temple, Torah, identity, administrative, or family context as relevant, one material uncertainty, and one conclusion it does not authorize.

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Continue in Context

The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.

Read Ezra 6:6–12 — Darius funds the work and threatens interference
Sources used for this Verse Lens

How certain is this explanation? strong

These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.

Biblical text

King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006

eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society

USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.

Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording and complete verse coverage for this thought unit.

Exact location: Ezra 6:6–12, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus

Open source ↗

hebrew aramaic text and morphology

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible: Ezra

Open Scriptures

Open Scriptures, release 2.2

Supports: Masoretic Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic wording, morphology, names, clause relations, and translation controls.

Exact location: Open Scriptures MorphHB v.2.2, commit 6a5db284c715c18b239422e57bb89684e6a19f00, wlc/Ezra.xml, Hebrew and Aramaic words and morphology for 6:6–12

Open source ↗

translation and translator notes

NET Bible: Ezra with translators' notes

Biblical Studies Press

Biblical Studies Press, 2006

Supports: Material lexical, grammatical, textual, Persian-period, numerical, and translation notes within the unit.

Exact location: NET Bible Ezra PDF, printed pp. 755–756, translation and translator notes on 6:6–12

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