Ezra 3:7

Preparations for Rebuilding the Temple

3:7 So they provided money ¹  for the masons and carpenters, and food, beverages, and olive oil for the people of Sidon ²  and Tyre, ³  so that they would bring cedar timber from Lebanon to the seaport ⁴  at Joppa, in accord with the edict of King Cyrus of Persia.

Ezra 6:22

6:22 They observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, for the Lord had given them joy and had changed the opinion ⁵  of the king of Assyria ⁶  toward them, so that he assisted ⁷  them in the work on the temple of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 7:24

7:24 Furthermore, be aware of the fact ⁸  that you have no authority to impose tax, tribute, or toll on any of the priests, the Levites, the musicians, the doorkeepers, the temple servants, or the attendants at the temple of this God.

¹ tn Heb “silver.”

² map For location see Map1-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.

³ map For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.

⁴ tn Heb “to the sea”

⁵ tn Heb “heart.”

⁶ sn The expression “king of Assyria” is anachronistic, since Assyria fell in 612 b.c., long before the events of this chapter. Perhaps the expression is intended subtly to contrast earlier kings of Assyria who were hostile toward Israel with this Persian king who showed them favor.

⁷ tn Heb “to strengthen their hands.”

⁹ tn Aram “we are making known to you.”