Ezra 3:3

3:3 They established the altar on its foundations, even though they were in terror of the local peoples, ¹  and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and the evening offerings.

Ezra 4:5

4:5 They were hiring advisers to oppose them, so as to frustrate their plans, throughout the time ²  of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius ³  of Persia. ⁴ 

Ezra 3:7

Preparations for Rebuilding the Temple

3:7 So they provided money ⁵  for the masons and carpenters, and food, beverages, and olive oil for the people of Sidon ⁶  and Tyre, ⁷  so that they would bring cedar timber from Lebanon to the seaport ⁸  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 ⁹  of the king of Assyria ¹⁰  toward them, so that he assisted ¹¹  them in the work on the temple of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 7:24

7:24 Furthermore, be aware of the fact ¹²  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.

[3:3]  ¹ tn Heb “the peoples of the lands.”

[4:5]  ² tn Heb “all the days of.”

[4:5]  ³ sn Darius ruled Persia ca. 522-486 B.C.

[4:5]  ⁴ sn The purpose of the opening verses of this chapter is to summarize why the Jews returning from the exile were unable to complete the rebuilding of the temple more quickly than they did. The delay was due not to disinterest on their part but to the repeated obstacles that had been placed in their path by determined foes.

[3:7]  ³ tn Heb “silver.”

[3:7]  ⁴ map For location see Map1 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.

[3:7]  ⁵ map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.

[3:7]  ⁶ tn Heb “to the sea”

[6:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “heart.”

[6:22]  ⁵ 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.

[6:22]  ⁶ tn Heb “to strengthen their hands.”

[7:24]  ⁵ tn Aram “we are making known to you.”