The Temple Completed and Dedicated

Ezra 6

King Darius searches the archives, finds the decree of Cyrus, and commands that the work proceed with full royal support and provisions, threatening severe punishment on anyone who hinders it. The house of God is finished in the sixth year of Darius, dedicated with sacrifices and rejoicing, and the returned exiles keep the passover and the feast of unleavened bread.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHEREUPON Darius the king passed a decree: He hath caused search to be made in the libraries where the royal treasure is kept at Babylon,

BrentonThen Darius the king made a decree, and caused a search to be made in the record-offices, where the treasure is stored in Babylon.

GreekΤότε Δαρεῖος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔθηκε γνώμην, καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο ἐν ταῖς βιβλιοθήκαις ὅπου ἡ γάζα κεῖται ἐν Βαβυλῶνι.

KJVThen Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

JPSThen Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up, in Babylon.

Thomsonand there hath been found in the city, in the royal palace, a roll, in which is written this memorandum,

BrentonAnd there was found in the city, in the palace, a volume, and this was the record written in it.

GreekΚαὶ εὑρέθη ἐν πόλει ἐν τῇ βάρει κεφαλὶς μία, καὶ τοῦτο γεγραμμένον ἐν αὐτῇ ὑπόμνημα.

KJVAnd 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:

JPSAnd there was found at Ahmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written: ‘A record.

ThomsonIn the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the holy house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, and the place where they offer sacrifices. Moreover he hath fixed the dimensions, the length sixty cubits and the breadth sixty cubits.

BrentonIn the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the holy house of God that was in Jerusalem, saying, Let the house be built, and the place where they sacrifice the sacrifices. (Also he appointed its elevation, in height sixty cubits; its breadth was of sixty cubits.)

GreekἘν ἔτει πρώτῳ Κύρου βασιλέως, Κύρος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔθηκε γνώμην περὶ οἴκου ἱεροῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· οἶκος οἰκοδομηθήτω, καὶ τόπος οὗ θυσιάζουσι τὰ θυσιάσματα· καὶ ἔθηκεν ἔπαρμα ὕψος πήχεις ἑξήκοντα, πλάτος αὐτοῦ πήχεων ἑξήκοντα·

KJVIn 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;

JPSIn 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;

ThomsonAnd there ore to be three strong stories of stone and one of wood; and the expense is to be defrayed out of the king’s house.

BrentonAnd let there be three strong layers of stone, and one layer of timber; and the expense shall be paid out of the house of the king.

GreekΚαὶ δόμοι λίθινοι κραταιοὶ τρεῖς, καὶ δόμος ξύλινος εἷς, καὶ ἡ δαπάνη ἐξ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως δοθήσεται.

KJVWith three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:

JPSwith three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber, and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house;

ThomsonAnd let the vessels of the house of God, both of silver and gold, which Nabuchodonosar took out of the house in Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon, be given, and go back to the temple at Jerusalem, to the place where they were deposited in the house of God.

BrentonAnd the silver and the gold vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor carried off from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried to Babylon, let them even be given, and be carried to the temple that is in Jerusalem, and put in the place where they were set in the house of God.

GreekΚαὶ τὰ σκεύη οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ τὰ ἀργυρᾶ καὶ τὰ χρυσᾶ, ἃ Ναβουχοδονόσορ ἐξήνεγκεν ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἐκόμισεν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα, καὶ δοθήτω καὶ ἀπελθέτω εἰς τὸν ναὸν τὸν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐπὶ τόπου οὗ ἐτέθη ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVAnd also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

JPSand also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought back unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place, and thou shalt put them in the house of God.’

ThomsonNow therefore you governors beyond the river, Satharbouzani, and you their fellow servants the Apharsachaians, who are beyond the river, keep at a distance from that place.

BrentonNow, ye rulers beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachæans, who are on the other side of the river, give these things, keeping far from that place.

GreekΝῦν δώσετε ἔπαρχοι πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ Σαθαρβουζαναῒ, καὶ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτῶν Ἀφαρσαχαῖοι οἱ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ μακρὰν ὄντες ἐκεῖθεν,

KJVNow therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

JPS’Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharesachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence;

ThomsonLet the work of the house of God alone. Let the rulers of the Jews, and the elders of the Jews build the house of God in its place.

BrentonNow let alone the work of the house of God: let the rulers of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build that house of God on its place.

Greekνῦν ἄφετε τὸ ἔργον οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ· οἱ ἀφηγούμενοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τῶν Ἰουδαίων οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκεῖνον οἰκοδομείτωσαν ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ.

KJVLet 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.

JPSlet 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 its place.

ThomsonFurthermore, by me a decree is made in regard to what you may do for the elders of ihe Jews, that the house of God may be built. Out of the king’s substance, the tributes beyond the river, let the expense be carefully paid to those men, that they may not be forced to stop;

BrentonAlso a decree has been made by me, if haply ye may do somewhat in concert with the elders of the Jews for the building of that house of God: to wit, out of the king's property, even the tributes beyond the river, let there be money to defray the expenses carefully granted to those men, so that they be not hindered.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ γνώμη ἐτέθη, μή ποτε τὶ ποιήσητε μετὰ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τῶν Ἰουδαίων τοῦ οἰκοδομηθῆναι οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκεῖνον· καὶ ἀπὸ ὑπαρχόντων βασιλέως τῶν φόρων πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἐπιμελῶς δαπάνη ἔστω διδομένη τοῖς ἀνδράσιν ἐκείνοις τὸ μὴ καταργηθῆναι.

KJVMoreover 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.

JPSMoreover I make a decree concerning what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God; that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered.

Thomsonand whatever they may stand in need of, such as young bulls and rams and lambs for whole burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the order of the priests at Jerusalem—let whatever they ask be given them day by day,

BrentonAnd whatever need there may be, ye shall give both the young of bulls and rams, and lambs for whole-burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, oil:—let it be given them according to the word of the priests that are in Jerusalem, day by day whatsoever they shall ask;

GreekΚαὶ ὃ ἂν ὑστέρημα, καὶ υἱοὺς βοῶν καὶ κριῶν, καὶ ἀμνοὺς εἰς ὁλοκαυτώσεις τῷ Θεῷ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, πυροὺς, ἅλας, οἶνον, ἔλαιον, κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα ἱερέων τῶν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἔστω διδόμενον αὐτοῖς, ἡμέραν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωσιν,

KJVAnd 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:

JPSAnd that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

Thomsonthat they may offer continually to the God of heaven sweet smelling sacrifices, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

Brentonthat they may offer sweet savours to the God of heaven, and that they may pray for the life of the king and his sons.

Greekἵνα ὦσιν εὐωδίας προσφέροντες τῷ Θεῷ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, καὶ προσεύχωνται εἰς ζωὴν τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ υἱῶν αὐτοῦ.

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

JPSthat they may offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

ThomsonMoreover by me a decree is made, that if any man counteract this mandate, a beam be taken from his house, and that he being suspended, be executed thereon, and his house confiscated.

BrentonAnd a decree has been made by me, that every man who shall alter this word, timber shall be pulled down from his house, and let him be lifted up and slain upon it, and his house shall be confiscated.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ ἐτέθη γνώμη, ὅτι πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἀλλάξει τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, καθαιρεθήσεται ξύλον ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὠρθωμένος πληγήσεται ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ τὸ κατʼ ἐμὲ ποιηθήσεται.

KJVAlso 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.

JPSAlso I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this;

ThomsonAnd may the God whose name dwelleth there, destroy every king and people who shall stretch forth their hands to alter or destroy the house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have passed the decree. Let it be strictly observed.

BrentonAnd may the God whose name dwells there, overthrow every king and people who shall stretch out his hand to alter or destroy the house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be diligently attended to.

GreekΚαὶ ὁ Θεὸς οὗ κατασκηνοῖ τὸ ὄνομα ἐκεῖ, καταστρέψαι πάντα βασιλέα καὶ λαὸν ὃς ἐκτενεῖ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἀλλάξαι ἢ ἀφανίσαι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· ἐγὼ Δαρεῖος ἔθηκα γνώμην, ἐπιμελῶς ἔσται.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSand may the God that hath caused His name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples, that shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.’

ThomsonUpon this Thanthani the chief governor on this side the river, and Satharbouzani and his fellow servants conformed strictly to what Darius the king sent.

BrentonThen Thanthanai the governor on this side beyond the river, Satharbuzanai, and his fellow-servants, according to that which king Darius sent, so they did diligently.

GreekΤότε Θανθαναῒ ὁ ἔπαρχος πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, Σαθαρβουζαναῒ, καὶ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ, πρὸς ὃ ἀπέστειλε Δαρεῖος βασιλεὺς, οὕτως ἐποίησαν ἐπιμελῶς.

KJVThen Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

JPSThen Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had thus sent, acted with all diligence.

ThomsonAnd the elders of the Jews and the Levites went on with the building by the prophesying of Aggaius the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo, and they rebuilt and fitted it up again by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus and Darius, and Arthasastha, kings of Persia;

BrentonAnd the elders of the Jews and the Levites built, at the prophecy of Aggæus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo: and they built up, and finished it, by the decree of the God of Israel, and by the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Arthasastha, kings of the Persians.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τῶν Ἰουδαίων ᾠκοδομοῦσαν καὶ οἱ Λευῖται ἐν προφητείᾳ Ἀγγαίου τοῦ προφήτου, καὶ Ζαχαρίου υἱοῦ Ἀδδώ· καὶ ἀνῳκοδόμησαν καὶ κατηρτίσαντο ἀπὸ γνώμης Θεοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἀπὸ γνώμης Κύρου, καὶ Δαρείου, καὶ Ἀρθασασθὰ βασιλέων Περσῶν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

Thomsonand having finished the house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of king Darius,

BrentonAnd they finished this house by the third day of the month Adar, which is the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

GreekΚαὶ ἐτέλεσαν τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον ἕως ἡμέρας τρίτης μηνὸς Ἀδὰρ, ὅ ἐστιν ἔτος ἕκτον τῆς βασιλείας Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

Thomsonthe children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of the house of God with joy,

BrentonAnd the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of the house of God with gladness.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ οἱ Λευῖται, καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι υἱῶν ἀποικεσίας ἐγκαίνια τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ.

KJVAnd the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,

JPSAnd the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.

Thomsonand offered for the dedication of the house of God, a hundred young bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and twelve he-goats, for a sin offering, for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

BrentonAnd they offered for the dedication of the house of God a hundred calves, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, twelve kids of the goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ προσήνεγκαν εἰς τὰ ἐγκαίνια τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ μόσχους ἑκατὸν, κριοὺς διακοσίους, ἀμνοὺς τετρακοσίους, χιμάῤῥους αἰγῶν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτίας ὑπὲρ παντὸς Ἰσραὴλ δώδεκα εἰς ἀριθμὸν φυλῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

JPSAnd they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

ThomsonAnd they set the priests in their courses, and the Levites in their divisions over the service of God at Jerusalem, according to the writing of the book of Moses.

BrentonAnd they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their separate orders, for the services of God in Jerusalem, according to the writing of the book of Moses.

GreekΚαὶ ἔστησαν τοὺς ἱερεῖς ἐν διαιρέσεσιν αὐτῶν, καὶ τοὺς Λευίτας ἐν μερισμοῖς αὐτῶν, ἐπὶ δουλείας Θεοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, κατὰ τὴν γραφὴν βίβλου Μωυσῆ.

KJVAnd they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

JPSAnd they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

ThomsonAnd on the fourteenth day of the first month, the children of the captivity kept the passover.

BrentonAnd the children of the captivity kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῆς ἀποικεσίας τὸ πάσχα τῇ τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς τοῦ πρώτου.

KJVAnd the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

JPSAnd the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

ThomsonFor the priests and the Levites had purified themselves till all were pure. And the Levites killed the paschal lambs for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren, the priests, and for themselves.

BrentonFor the priests and Levites were purified, all were clean to a man, and they slew the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

GreekὍτι ἐκαθαρίσθησαν οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ Λευῖται, ἕως εἷς πάντες καθαροί· καὶ ἔσφαξαν τὸ πάσχα τοῖς πᾶσιν υἱοῖς τῆς ἀποικεσίας καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτῶν τοῖς ἱερεῦσι καὶ ἑαυτοῖς.

KJVFor the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

JPSFor the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were pure; and they killed the passover lamb for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

ThomsonSo the children of Israel who were of the captivity, and everyone who had separated himself from the impurity of the nations of the land and had come to them to seek the Lord God of Israel, ate the passover,

BrentonAnd the children of Israel ate the passover, even they that were of the captivity, and every one who separated himself to them from the uncleanness of the nations of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἔφαγον υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὸ πάσχα, οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀποικεσίας, καὶ πᾶς ὁ χωριζόμενος τῆς ἀκαθαρσίας ἐθνῶν τῆς γῆς πρὸς αὐτοῦς, τοῦ ἐκζητῆσαι Κύριον Θεὸν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

JPSAnd the children of Israel, that were come back out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, did eat,

Thomsonand kept the festival of unleavened bread seven days, with joy; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assur to them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the house of the God of Israel.

BrentonAnd they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with gladness, because the Lord made them glad, and he turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the works of the house of the God of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν τὴν ἑορτὴν τῶν ἀζύμων ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ, ὅτι εὔφρανεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος, καὶ ἐπέστρεψε καρδίαν βασιλέως Ἀσσοὺρ ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς κραταιῶσαι τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἐν ἔργοις οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

JPSand kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the LORD had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.