With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
Build it with three layers of large stones and one layer of new timber, and let all the costs be paid from the king's treasury.
This verse describes King Cyrus's detailed instructions for rebuilding the temple, including specific construction materials and his promise to fund the entire project from his royal treasury.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ezra, this verse is part of a royal decree from King Darius of Persia, which reaffirmed the earlier edict by King Cyrus allowing the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. This decree specified the materials needed, such as stones and timber, and mandated that the costs be covered from the king's treasury, reflecting the Persian policy of supporting the religious rebuilding efforts of subject peoples. It occurred during a period of opposition from local authorities, ensuring that the Temple reconstruction could proceed with imperial backing.
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