Ezra 6:1

Authorized King James Version

Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֵּאדַ֛יִן
Then
then (of time)
#2
דָּֽרְיָ֥וֶשׁ
Darius
darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
#3
מַלְכָּ֖א
the king
a king
#4
שָׂ֣ם
made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#5
טְעֵ֑ם
a decree
properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)
#6
וּבַקַּ֣רוּ׀
and search
properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e., (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider
#7
בְּבֵ֣ית
was made in the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#8
סִפְרַיָּ֗א
of the rolls
a book
#9
דִּ֧י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#10
גִנְזַיָּ֛א
the treasures
treasure
#11
מְהַֽחֲתִ֥ין
were laid up
to descend; causatively, to bring away, deposit, depose
#12
תַּמָּ֖ה
where
there
#13
בְּבָבֶֽל׃
in Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection