Ezra 6:12
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
Original Language Analysis
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
2 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
שְׁמֵ֣הּ
that hath caused his name
H8036
שְׁמֵ֣הּ
that hath caused his name
Strong's:
H8036
Word #:
4 of 25
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
כָּל
all
H3606
כָּל
all
Strong's:
H3606
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְעַם֙
and people
H5972
וְעַם֙
and people
Strong's:
H5972
Word #:
9 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
דִּ֣י׀
H1768
דִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
10 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
יִשְׁלַ֣ח
that shall put
H7972
יִשְׁלַ֣ח
that shall put
Strong's:
H7972
Word #:
11 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בֵּית
house
H1005
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
15 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
18 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
דָֽרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙
Darius
H1868
דָֽרְיָ֙וֶשׁ֙
Darius
Strong's:
H1868
Word #:
21 of 25
darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
שָׂ֣מֶת
have made
H7761
שָׂ֣מֶת
have made
Strong's:
H7761
Word #:
22 of 25
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
1 Kings 9:3And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.Deuteronomy 12:5But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:Exodus 20:24An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.Deuteronomy 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:Isaiah 60:12For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.Acts 9:5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.Psalms 5:10Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.Deuteronomy 16:2Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.2 Chronicles 7:16For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
Historical Context
The phrase 'caused his name to dwell there' echoes Deuteronomy's theology of divine presence in chosen place (Deuteronomy 12:11). That a Persian king used this specific language suggests Jewish theological influence. The curse's invocation of divine judgment shows Darius took seriously the spiritual dimension of his decree. Whether genuine faith or diplomatic respect, his language honored Israel's God and protected temple restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does a pagan king's confession of God's unique dwelling place demonstrate truth's power to compel acknowledgment?
- What does Darius's self-imprecation teach about the seriousness of covenants and the fear of divine judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
The concluding curse—'the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem'—invokes divine judgment on future violators. Darius acknowledges Jerusalem's unique status as place where God's name dwells. This confession from a pagan king demonstrates that God's reputation extends beyond Israel. The self-imprecation shows Darius understood the seriousness of opposing God's purposes.