Ezra 6:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also {H4481} I have made {H7761} a decree {H2942}, that whosoever {H3606}{H606} shall alter {H8133} this {H1836} word {H6600}, let timber {H636} be pulled down {H5256} from {H4481} his house {H1005}, and being set up {H2211}, let him be hanged {H4223} thereon {H5922}; and let his house {H1005} be made {H5648} a dunghill {H5122} for {H5922} this {H1836}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I also order that if anyone defies this order, a beam is to be pulled from his house; and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. His house is to be reduced to rubble.

Berean Standard Bible

I also decree that if any man interferes with this directive, a beam is to be torn from his house and raised up, and he is to be impaled on it. And his own house shall be made a pile of rubble for this offense.

American Standard Version

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 6:11 records a formidable decree issued by King Darius I of Persia, unequivocally affirming the royal mandate for the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This verse details exceptionally severe penalties for any individual who would dare to obstruct, alter, or interfere with the king's command regarding the sacred temple project, thereby underscoring the absolute authority backing the divine work and the king's commitment to its completion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 6:11 concludes a pivotal section in the book of Ezra where the Persian king Darius I confirms and expands upon the earlier decree of King Cyrus. Following years of opposition and a cessation of temple construction, the Jewish leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua resumed the work, prompting local Persian governors to question their authority. An appeal was made to Darius, who ordered a search of the royal archives. The original decree of Cyrus, authorizing the temple's reconstruction and providing for its expenses, was discovered in Ecbatana ([Ezra 6:1-5](/ezra/6-1 "Ezra 6:1-5 - Darius finds Cyrus's Decree")). Darius not only ratified Cyrus's decree but also issued his own powerful edict, commanding the governors to cease interference, provide funds from the royal treasury, and supply necessary sacrifices ([Ezra 6:6-10](/ezra/6-6 "Ezra 6:6-10 - Darius's Decree and Provisions")). Verse 11, therefore, serves as the climactic and most forceful deterrent within Darius's decree, ensuring that the temple work would proceed unimpeded by instilling fear of extreme consequences for any opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Persian Empire was renowned for its administrative efficiency and the absolute authority of its monarchs. Royal decrees, once issued, were considered immutable and carried the full weight of imperial law. Darius I (522-486 BC) was a powerful and organized ruler who consolidated the empire and respected local customs and religions as long as they did not threaten imperial stability. The type of capital punishment described—being "hanged thereon"—likely refers to impalement or crucifixion, a brutal form of execution practiced by various ancient Near Eastern empires, including the Persians, designed for maximum public deterrence. The act of tearing down timber from one's own house and using it for their execution was a profound act of public shaming and a symbolic inversion of one's own security. Furthermore, making a house a "dunghill" (a refuse heap) was the ultimate act of defilement and public disgrace, rendering the property uninhabitable and a permanent monument to the owner's ignominy, serving as a powerful warning to others.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates global events and uses even pagan rulers like Darius to accomplish His redemptive purposes, ensuring the restoration of His people and the re-establishment of temple worship in Jerusalem. Darius's decree, with its severe penalties, highlights God's protective hand over His chosen people and His unwavering commitment to His plans, aligning with the truth that "[the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like channels of water; he turns it wherever he will](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")" ([Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")). Secondly, it underscores the **Absolute Nature of Royal Authority and Law** in the ancient world; the king's word was law, and challenging it invited dire consequences. This mirrors, in a human sense, the unchallengeable authority of God's own decrees. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Protection of God's Work and People**, as the harsh penalties serve as a potent deterrent against any opposition to the temple's construction, signifying the immense divine importance placed on the temple as the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Alter (Aramaic, _shᵉnā'_):** This verb means "to change," "to deviate," or "to violate." In this context, it signifies any attempt to modify, disregard, or undermine the king's decree concerning the temple's rebuilding. It implies not just a minor adjustment but a fundamental subversion of the royal command, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of the edict and, by extension, the divine will it served.
* **Hanged (Aramaic, _zᵉqîp_):** This term literally means "to lift up" or "to set up," but in the context of capital punishment, it refers to impalement or crucifixion. This was a particularly gruesome and public form of execution, designed not only to end life but also to inflict maximum suffering, humiliation, and serve as a stark warning to others. The use of timber "pulled down from his house" adds a layer of ironic self-destruction and public disgrace, as the very materials of one's security become the instrument of one's demise.
* **Dunghill (Aramaic, _nᵉwālāh_ or related root for "refuse/filth"):** This word denotes a place of refuse, excrement, or utter defilement. To make a house a dunghill signifies its complete degradation, rendering it permanently uninhabitable, ritually impure, and a public symbol of contempt and disgrace. It was the ultimate act of desecration and a permanent mark of shame, ensuring that the offender's legacy would be one of utter vileness and rejection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also I have made a decree,"**: This opening phrase establishes the absolute authority of Darius's pronouncement. It is a formal, legal declaration from the highest power in the empire, signifying that what follows is not merely a suggestion but an unalterable, binding law with the full force of the Persian state behind it. The use of "I" emphasizes the personal commitment and power of the king.
* **"that whosoever shall alter this word,"**: This clause defines the specific offense: any attempt to change, violate, or obstruct the king's "word" or decree. The term "whosoever" indicates that the decree applies universally to anyone, regardless of status or position, who dares to interfere with the temple project. This highlights the sacredness of the royal command and, implicitly, the divine work it facilitates.
* **"let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon;"**: This specifies the first part of the severe punishment. The offender's own house, a symbol of security, family, and legacy, is to be dismantled, and its very timbers used as the instrument of their public execution (impalement/crucifixion). This is a profound act of public shaming and a symbolic reversal of fortune, where one's own resources are turned against them, ensuring a humiliating and painful death.
* **"and let his house be made a dunghill for this."**: This outlines the second, equally devastating, part of the penalty. The remainder of the offender's property is to be utterly defiled and turned into a public refuse heap. This ensures not only the destruction of the individual but also the permanent disgrace of their family and property, rendering it ritually impure, uninhabitable, and a lasting symbol of their ignominy and the consequences of opposing royal (and divine) will.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 6:11 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the absolute authority and severe consequences of Darius's decree. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the extreme nature of the punishment—dismantling one's house, using its timber for execution, and turning the remainder into a dunghill—is used to emphasize the gravity of the offense and the king's unwavering resolve. This exaggeration serves as a potent **Deterrent**, designed to instill fear and prevent any future interference with the temple project. The verse also uses powerful **Symbolism**: the "timber pulled down from his house" symbolizes the self-destruction and ironic reversal of fortune for those who oppose God's work, as their own security becomes their undoing. The "dunghill" is a stark symbol of utter disgrace, defilement, and public contempt, ensuring that the offender's legacy is one of impurity and rejection. The formal, declarative tone of the "decree" itself reflects **Legal Language** and the absolute nature of a **Royal Edict**, leaving no room for negotiation or misunderstanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 6:11 provides a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His purposes and His sovereign hand in orchestrating human affairs, even through the decrees of pagan kings. The severity of Darius's edict, far from being merely a display of human tyranny, serves as a dramatic illustration of how God can use earthly authorities to protect and advance His divine agenda. It underscores the seriousness with which God views any opposition to His work, whether it comes from human adversaries or spiritual forces. This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in history, ensuring that His plans for His people and His kingdom will ultimately prevail, even against formidable obstacles. It encourages believers to trust in God's providence, knowing that He will defend His church and ensure the completion of His redemptive work, just as He protected the rebuilding of His temple.

* [Nehemiah 2:19-20](/nehemiah/2-19 "Nehemiah 2:19-20 - Opposition to Rebuilding")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - The Lord Builds the House")
* [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer live under the direct decrees of Persian kings, Ezra 6:11 offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It calls us to reflect on the absolute sovereignty of God, who is able to use any means, even the stern decrees of secular rulers, to accomplish His will. This should instill in us a deep confidence that God's purposes for His church and His kingdom will ultimately prevail, regardless of the opposition we face. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views interference with His work. For us, this means faithfully participating in the building of God's spiritual temple—the Church—through evangelism, discipleship, and service, knowing that our labor is not in vain and that God Himself protects His work. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any attitudes or actions that might inadvertently "alter" or obstruct God's will in our lives or communities, encouraging us to align ourselves fully with His divine purposes and trust in His protective hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Darius's extreme decree strengthen your faith in God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and circumstances?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, inadvertently "alter" or hinder God's work today, and how can we better align ourselves with His purposes?**
* **What specific "work of God" in your life or community do you believe God is protecting and ensuring, and how does this verse encourage your participation in it?**

### FAQ
**Why was Darius's decree so exceptionally harsh, particularly the part about the house becoming a dunghill?**

Answer: Darius's decree was exceptionally harsh for several reasons, reflecting both Persian imperial policy and the profound importance of the temple project. First, it underscored the absolute and unalterable nature of a royal edict in the Persian Empire; any deviation was seen as a direct challenge to the king's authority. Second, the severity was intended as a powerful deterrent to ensure no one would dare to interfere with the temple's rebuilding again, after previous delays. Third, the specific punishments—being hanged on timber from one's own house and having the house turned into a dunghill—were designed for maximum public humiliation, disgrace, and defilement. Making a house a "dunghill" meant it was rendered permanently uninhabitable, ritually impure, and a public monument to the offender's ignominy, serving as a lasting warning to others about the dire consequences of opposing the king's (and implicitly, God's) will. This extreme measure highlights the strategic importance Darius placed on maintaining order and fulfilling imperial decrees, especially those concerning religious structures that could affect regional stability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 6:11, with its severe penalties for those who would "alter" the decree and its mention of being "hanged on timber," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The image of one being "hanged thereon" powerfully foreshadows the ultimate execution of Jesus Christ, who was "hanged on a tree" ([Acts 5:30](/acts/5-30 "Acts 5:30 - Jesus Hanged on a Tree"); [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), bearing the curse of the Law for humanity. While Darius's decree brought judgment upon those who opposed the building of a physical temple, Christ's crucifixion was the ultimate act of God's justice and mercy, where He bore the "dunghill" of our sin and shame, becoming a curse for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, just as Darius's decree protected the rebuilding of the physical temple, God's ultimate purpose is to build His spiritual temple, the Church, of which Christ is the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone of the Church")). Any attempt to "alter" God's ultimate "word"—His Son, Jesus Christ, and the gospel message—will face eternal consequences, for Christ is the unalterable truth and the final revelation of God's will ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). The severity of judgment in Ezra 6:11 thus points to the even greater judgment awaiting those who reject or pervert the work of God in Christ, who is the true temple and the one through whom all of God's purposes are perfectly fulfilled.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 2:5

The 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.

Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 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.

Ezra 7:26

And 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.

2 Kings 9:37

And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; [so] that they shall not say, This [is] Jezebel.

Esther 7:10

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

2 Kings 10:27

And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

Esther 5:4

And Esther answered, If [it seem] good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.