12
March 516 B.C. See Haggai introduction. The Second Temple is finished and dedicated. Rain, judgment,
prophets and resumption of the building of the Temple amidst political
harassment and sluggishness by God’s covenant people.
Backstory.
The first returning exiles from
Babylon to Israel began in/around 537 B.C.
The Persian Emperor Cyrus had issued a decree authorizing the return and
religious construction of the Temple.
The local Samaritans and neighbors were unamused. Harassment intimidated the covenant people. Sloth and indifference found cause to cease
the endeavor.
Zerubabel, the Jewish governor,
and Joshua, the high priest, under the influence of two prophets, Haggai and
Zechariah resumed the work.
Ezra 5:1-2
1599
Geneva Bible (GNV)
5 1 Haggai and Zechariah
do prophesy. 3 The work of the Temple goeth forward contrary to the mind of
Tattenai. 6 His letters to Darius.
1 Then [a]Haggai
a Prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo a Prophet prophesied unto the Jews
that were in Judah, and Jerusalem, in the Name of the God of Israel, even
unto them.
2 Then Zerubbabel the son
of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose, and began to build the house
of God at Jerusalem, and with them were the Prophets of God, which [b]helped
them.
Footnotes:
- Ezra 5:1 Or, Haggeni.
- Ezra 5:2 Which encouraged them to go forward, and accused them that they were more careful to build their own houses, than zealous to build the Temple of God.Tattenai, the pagan governor of the Persian province west of the Euphrates River was not amused. The Jewish leaders challenged Tattenai to inquire about Cyrus’ edict in the archives. Tattenai did that. He wrote the new Emperor, Darius, to make an official inquiry into the royal archives. The search was conducted.
Ezra 6:3-12
1599
Geneva Bible (GNV)
3 IN THE FIRST year of
King Cyrus, King Cyrus made a decree for the house of God in Jerusalem, Let the
house be built, even the place where they offered sacrifices, and let
the walls thereof be joined together: let the height thereof be
threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits,
4 Three [a]orders
of [b]great
stones, and one order of timber, and let the expenses be given of the king’s
house.
5 And also let them
render the vessels of the house of God (of gold and silver, which
Nebuchadnezzar took out of the Temple, which was in Jerusalem, and brought unto
Babel) and let [c]him go
unto the Temple that is in Jerusalem to his place, and put them in the house of
God.
6 Therefore Tattenai
captain beyond the river, and Shethar-Boznai, (and their companions Apharsecai,
which are beyond the River) be ye far [d]from
thence.
7 Suffer ye the work of
this house of God, that the captain of the Jews and the Elders of the Jews may
build this house of God in his place.
8 For I have given a
commandment what ye shall do to the Elders of these Jews, for the building of
this house of God, that of the revenues of the King, which is of the tribute
beyond the River, there be incontinently expenses given unto these men that
they [e]cease
not.
9 And that which they
shall have need of, let it be given unto them day by day, whether it be young
bullocks, or rams, or lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven,
wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the Priests that
are in Jerusalem, that there be no fault,
10 That they may have to
offer sweet odors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the king’s life, and for
his sons.
11 And I have made a
decree, that whosoever shall alter this sentence, the wood shall be pulled down
from his house, and shall be set up, and he shall be hanged thereon, and
his house shall be made a dunghill for this.
12 And the God that hath
caused his Name [f]to
dwell there, destroy all kings and people that put to their hand to alter and
to destroy this house of God, which is in Jerusalem. I Darius have made a
decree, let it be done with speed.
Footnotes:
- Ezra 6:4 Or, rows, or courses.
- Ezra 6:4 Or, Marble.
- Ezra 6:5 Meaning, Zerubbabel to whom he giveth charge.
- Ezra 6:6 Meddle not with them neither hinder them.
- Ezra 6:8 For lack of money.
- Ezra 6:12 Who hath appointed that place to have his Name called upon there.Tattenai was informed and he obeyed the decree.The Temple was finished on 12 March 516, 70 years after Jerusalem was destroyed.
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