Ezra 6:2
And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִשְׁתְּכַ֣ח
And there was found
H7912
וְהִשְׁתְּכַ֣ח
And there was found
Strong's:
H7912
Word #:
1 of 12
to discover (literally or figuratively)
בְּאַחְמְתָ֗א
at Achmetha
H307
בְּאַחְמְתָ֗א
at Achmetha
Strong's:
H307
Word #:
2 of 12
achmetha (i.e., ecbatana), the summer capital of persia
דִּ֛י
H1768
דִּ֛י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
4 of 12
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
מְדִינְתָּ֖ה
that is in the province
H4083
מְדִינְתָּ֖ה
that is in the province
Strong's:
H4083
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
חֲדָ֑ה
a
H2298
חֲדָ֑ה
a
Strong's:
H2298
Word #:
8 of 12
as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once
Historical Context
Achmetha (Ecbatana) served as Persian summer capital due to cooler mountain climate. The palace archives preserved important state documents. The decree's specific location there rather than in Babylon or Persepolis suggests it was filed when issued during Cyrus's early reign. Archaeological excavation of Ecbatana has been limited, but Persian palace remains confirm elaborate governmental complexes with administrative functions.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the specific geographical detail teach about biblical text's historical reliability and concern for verifiable facts?
- How does God's timing in revealing the decree precisely when needed demonstrate His sovereign control over historical processes?
Analysis & Commentary
The decree's discovery 'at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes' specifies precise location. This geographical precision enhances historical credibility. The roll (scroll) containing Cyrus's decree provided documentary proof validating Jewish authorization. Ancient rulers' decrees had legal force—finding it meant Darius must honor his predecessor's commitment. God orchestrated history so that truth would be officially discovered and validated at the exact moment needed.