Ezra 6:4

6:4 with three layers of large stones ¹  and one ²  layer of timber. The expense is to be subsidized ³  by the royal treasury. ⁴ 

Ezra 5:8

5:8 Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. It is being built with large stones, ⁵  and timbers are being placed in the walls. This work is being done with all diligence and is prospering in their hands.

Ezra 6:11

6:11 “I hereby give orders that if anyone changes this directive a beam is to be pulled out from his house and he is to be raised up and impaled ⁶  on it, and his house is to be reduced ⁷  to a rubbish heap ⁸  for this indiscretion. ⁹ 

[6:4]  ¹ tn Aram “stones of rolling.”

[6:4]  ² tc The translation follows the LXX reading חַד (khad, “one”) rather than the MT חֲדַת (khadat, “new”). If the MT reading “new” is understood to mean freshly cut timber that has not yet been seasoned it would seem to be an odd choice for construction material.

[6:4]  ³ tn Aram “let be given.”

[6:4]  ⁴ tn Aram “house.”

[5:8]  ⁵ tn Aram “stones of rolling.” The reference is apparently to stones too large to carry.

[6:11]  ⁹ sn The practice referred to in v. 11 has been understood in various ways: hanging (cf. 1 Esd 6:32 and KJV); flogging (cf. NEB, NLT); impalement (BDB 1091 s.v. זְקַף; HALOT 1914 s.v. מחא hitpe; cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV). The latter seems the most likely.

[6:11]  ¹⁰ tn Aram “made.”

[6:11]  ¹¹ tn Aram “a dunghill.”

[6:11]  ¹² tn Aram “for this.”