Ezra 6:3

In 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;

Ezra 6:3 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezra records the return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon and the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. This verse quotes the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, issued in the first year of his reign, about 538 BC. The decree allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the house of God that the Babylonians had destroyed in 586 BC.

Meaning

The decree calls the temple “the house of God” and “the place where they offered sacrifices,” showing that its main purpose was worship and atonement. The command to lay strong foundations and the dimensions of sixty cubits in height and breadth, about ninety feet, indicate a large and solid structure. These details show that the temple was to be built with care and dignity.

Biblical connections

This decree fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 44:28, where God names Cyrus as the one who would say of Jerusalem, “She shall be built,” and of the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.” It also connects to Ezra 1:1-4, which records Cyrus’s earlier proclamation for the return. The discovery of this decree in the official records during Darius’s reign, as noted in Ezra 6:1-2, confirmed the Jews’ right to rebuild.

Application

God worked through a pagan king to accomplish His purposes, showing His sovereignty over rulers and history. The emphasis on strong foundations reminds believers to build their spiritual lives on the solid base of faith and obedience to God’s Word. Just as the temple was central to Israel’s worship, God’s presence should be central in the lives of His people.

Reflection

The temple and its sacrifices point forward to Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, and to the church as the spiritual temple. This verse encourages believers to honor God with their best, offering worship that is sincere and well-founded. God’s faithfulness in restoring His people and His house assures us that He will complete His work in our lives.