Ezra 6:11
Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
Original Language Analysis
מִן
Also
H4481
מִן
Also
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
שִׂ֣ים
I have made
H7761
שִׂ֣ים
I have made
Strong's:
H7761
Word #:
2 of 22
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
טְעֵם֒
a decree
H2942
טְעֵם֒
a decree
Strong's:
H2942
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
4 of 22
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
כָל
that whosoever
H3606
כָל
that whosoever
Strong's:
H3606
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּ֤י
H1768
דִּ֤י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
7 of 22
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
מִן
Also
H4481
מִן
Also
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
וּבַיְתֵ֛הּ
and let his house
H1005
וּבַיְתֵ֛הּ
and let his house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
14 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִתְמְחֵ֣א
let him be hanged
H4223
יִתְמְחֵ֣א
let him be hanged
Strong's:
H4223
Word #:
16 of 22
to strike in pieces; also to arrest; specifically to impale
עַל
for
H5922
עַל
for
Strong's:
H5922
Word #:
17 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּבַיְתֵ֛הּ
and let his house
H1005
וּבַיְתֵ֛הּ
and let his house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
18 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Daniel 3:29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.Daniel 2:5The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.Ezra 7:26And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Historical Context
Ancient imperial decrees commonly included severe penalties for violation—crucifixion, impalement, or hanging were standard capital punishments. The house becoming a dunghill added permanent disgrace to execution. Such harsh penalties demonstrated decree seriousness and deterred opposition. While Christians don't endorse cruel punishments, Scripture records that God used contemporary penal practices to protect His people and work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of pagan penal systems to protect His work demonstrate sovereignty over even harsh historical realities?
- What does the severe penalty protecting worship restoration teach about the seriousness of God's purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
The penalty decree—'whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon'—imposes severe punishment for violation. This brutal enforcement protected the restoration work from interference. The additional curse 'and let his house be made a dunghill for this' threatens ultimate shame. God's purposes are so important that He providentially arranges even severe penalties to protect His work.