Ezra 6:2

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And there was found {H7912} at Achmetha {H307}, in the palace {H1001} that is in the province {H4083} of the Medes {H4076}, a {H2298} roll {H4040}, and therein {H1459} was a record {H1799} thus {H3652} written {H3790}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and there was found at Achm'ta, in the palace which is in the province of Media, a scroll on which was written the following: "Memorandum:

Berean Standard Bible

And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum:

American Standard Version

And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll, and therein was thus written for a record:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 6:2 details the providential discovery of King Cyrus's original decree concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Located in the royal archives at Achmetha, a summer palace in the province of the Medes, this crucial document, found as a "roll" containing an official "record," provided the legal validation necessary to counter the opposition and secure King Darius I's support for the continuation and completion of the sacred work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The immediate literary context of Ezra 6:2 is the direct response to King Darius I's command in [Ezra 6:1](/ezra/6-1 "Ezra 6:1 - Darius's Order to Search Archives") to search the royal archives for a decree from King Cyrus regarding the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This search was prompted by a letter from Tatnai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, and his colleagues, who questioned the authority of the Jews to undertake such a project, as detailed in [Ezra 5:6-17](/ezra/5-6 "Ezra 5:6-17 - Tatnai's Letter to Darius"). The successful discovery of the "roll" in this verse serves as the critical turning point, validating the claims of the Jewish elders and setting the stage for Darius's subsequent favorable decree in [Ezra 6:6-12](/ezra/6-6 "Ezra 6:6-12 - Darius's Decree Supporting the Temple"). This verse, therefore, acts as the narrative hinge, moving the plot from uncertainty and opposition to divine vindication and royal support for God's people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Achmetha, known historically as Ecbatana (modern Hamadan, Iran), served as a significant royal capital and a favored summer residence for the Achaemenid Persian kings, situated within the "province of the Medes." This geographical detail highlights the vast administrative reach and meticulous record-keeping practices of the Persian Empire under King Darius I (reigned 522-486 BC). While major archives were often housed in primary capitals like Susa or Babylon, the existence of such crucial documents in secondary royal centers like Ecbatana underscores the comprehensive nature of Persian bureaucracy. Royal decrees, once issued, held immense legal authority and were meticulously preserved, serving as binding law throughout the empire. The search and discovery of Cyrus's decree within these state archives was not a mere administrative formality but a legal necessity to ascertain the legitimacy of the Jews' temple reconstruction efforts and to guide the king's decision in a matter of significant imperial concern.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Ezra. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Providence**, demonstrating God's meticulous oversight and active involvement in the affairs of His people, even working through pagan rulers and their administrative systems. The discovery of the decree at the precise moment it was needed, in a specific location, underscores God's sovereign control over historical events to fulfill His purposes, echoing His earlier work through Cyrus in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree to Rebuild the Temple"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Legitimacy and Validation**. The "record" found was not a mere suggestion but a legally binding royal decree, providing irrefutable proof of the Jews' authorized work and validating their claims against the accusations of their adversaries, as seen in [Ezra 5:3-5](/ezra/5-3 "Ezra 5:3-5 - Tatnai's Challenge to the Jews"). Finally, it reinforces the **Continuity of God's Plan**, showing that the temple rebuilding was not a new, unauthorized venture but the ongoing execution of a divine mandate first initiated by Cyrus, ensuring the restoration of Jerusalem and its worship life, a foundational element of the post-exilic community's identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Achmetha (Hebrew, _'Aḥmĕtā'_):** This is the Hebrew transcription of the Old Persian "Hagmatana," known in Greek as Ecbatana. Located in modern-day Hamadan, Iran, Achmetha was one of the four royal capitals of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, serving primarily as a summer residence for the kings. Its mention here emphasizes the extensive and decentralized nature of Persian imperial record-keeping, suggesting that important documents were archived not only in primary administrative centers like Susa or Babylon but also in other royal palaces.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mĕgillāh'_):** This term refers to a scroll, the standard format for official documents, letters, and literary works in the ancient Near East. Scrolls were typically made from papyrus or prepared animal skins (parchment). The use of "roll" here indicates that the found document was a formal, written artifact, preserved in a manner befitting a royal decree or official state record.
* **record (Aramaic, _dikrôn'_):** This Aramaic word (used in the Aramaic section of Ezra, 4:8-6:18) denotes an official memorandum, a register, or a formal record. It implies a document of legal or administrative significance, not a casual note. The "record" was a precise and authoritative account of Cyrus's original decree, providing the necessary legal basis for the Jews' activities and confirming their claims to King Darius.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there was found at Achmetha":** This opening phrase immediately highlights the successful outcome of Darius's search order. The passive voice ("there was found") subtly emphasizes the providential nature of the discovery, suggesting that the finding was not merely a result of human effort but also of divine orchestration, ensuring the document appeared precisely when needed.
* **"in the palace that [is] in the province of the Medes":** This clause provides specific geographical and administrative details, pinpointing the exact location of the discovery within Achmetha. The "palace" signifies a royal residence, underscoring the official and authoritative nature of the archives where the document was stored. The "province of the Medes" further clarifies the imperial jurisdiction and the vastness of the Persian Empire's administrative reach.
* **"a roll, and therein [was] a record thus written":** This specifies the physical form and content of the discovered item. The "roll" (scroll) indicates a formal, durable document, designed for long-term preservation. The "record" (Aramaic _dikrôn_) denotes an official, legally binding memorandum or registry. The phrase "thus written" implies that the document contained the exact, authoritative text of Cyrus's decree, ready to be presented and acted upon, leaving no room for ambiguity or dispute.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 6:2 employs several subtle but significant **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Divine Hand** or **Providence**, where the seemingly coincidental discovery of the scroll at the precise moment it was needed underscores God's active and sovereign involvement in human affairs. The text presents the finding as a straightforward event, yet its timing and location are too perfect to be mere chance, implying a guiding divine hand. There is also a degree of **Irony** in the narrative: the vindication of God's people and the advancement of His temple project come not from a direct divine revelation to them, but through the administrative bureaucracy of a pagan empire, specifically through a document issued by one pagan king and found by another. This highlights God's ability to use any means, even secular governmental structures, to achieve His sacred purposes. The verse also serves as a point of **Foreshadowing**, as the discovery of this vital record immediately signals a positive turning point in the narrative, hinting at the favorable outcome and renewed support for the temple's reconstruction that will follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 6:2 powerfully illustrates the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and circumstances. Even when His people face opposition and their work seems stalled, God remains faithful to His covenant promises, orchestrating events behind the scenes. The discovery of Cyrus's decree, decades after its initial promulgation, in a distant royal archive, is a testament to God's meticulous providence. He works through the seemingly mundane administrative processes of a pagan empire to validate His people's claims and advance His divine agenda. This demonstrates that no human authority, no matter how powerful, can ultimately thwart God's will; rather, they can be unwitting instruments in His hands. This verse reassures believers that God is always at work, even when His activity is not immediately apparent, ensuring His purposes are brought to fruition.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Isaiah 45:1-4](/isaiah/45-1 "Isaiah 45:1-4 - Cyrus, God's Anointed")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The discovery of Cyrus's decree in Ezra 6:2 offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are unshakeable, and His timing is perfect, even when circumstances appear bleak or opposition seems insurmountable. Just as He providentially ensured the preservation and timely revelation of a crucial document for His people in ancient Persia, He continues to work in our lives, orchestrating events and validating His purposes through unexpected channels. This verse calls us to cultivate a deeper trust in God's faithfulness, to persevere in His work despite challenges, and to recognize that He often operates behind the scenes, using both the ordinary and the extraordinary to bring about His will. It teaches us to look beyond immediate obstacles and to rest in the assurance that God will ultimately vindicate His truth and bring His promises to fruition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the providential discovery in Ezra 6:2 encourage you when you face opposition or delays in fulfilling God's call on your life?**
* **Can you identify instances in your own life or in contemporary history where God seems to have worked "behind the scenes" through unexpected means to achieve His purposes?**
* **What "records" or promises from God's Word do you need to rediscover and hold onto with greater faith in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why was Cyrus's decree found in Achmetha (Ecbatana) and not in a more prominent Persian capital like Susa or Babylon?**

Answer: Achmetha, or Ecbatana, was one of the four royal capitals of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, serving particularly as a summer residence for the kings. The Persian Empire was vast, and its administrative system was highly organized and decentralized. Important documents and decrees were not exclusively stored in one central archive but could be found in various royal palaces and administrative centers across the empire. The discovery in Achmetha highlights the comprehensive nature of Persian record-keeping. Theologically, its location and timely discovery also underscore divine providence, as God ensured the document was found precisely where and when it was needed to advance His purposes for the temple's rebuilding.

**What was the specific significance of the terms "roll" and "record" in this verse?**

Answer: The term "roll" (Hebrew _megillah_) refers to a scroll, which was the standard physical format for official documents, letters, and literary works in the ancient Near East. Its mention indicates that the document was a formal, preserved artifact, not a casual note. The term "record" (Aramaic _dikrôn_) denotes an official memorandum, a register, or a formal legal document. Together, these terms emphasize that the discovered item was an authoritative, legally binding decree from King Cyrus, providing irrefutable proof of the Jews' authorization to rebuild the temple. It was not merely a historical curiosity but a document with active legal weight, crucial for the king's decision.

**How did the discovery of this record specifically impact the ongoing work of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem?**

Answer: The discovery of Cyrus's original decree was absolutely pivotal. It provided the irrefutable legal validation that King Darius I required to confirm the legitimacy of the Jews' temple rebuilding efforts, which had been challenged by local governors (as seen in [Ezra 5:6-17](/ezra/5-6 "Ezra 5:6-17 - Tatnai's Letter to Darius")). With this official "record" in hand, Darius was able to issue his own decree (detailed in [Ezra 6:6-12](/ezra/6-6 "Ezra 6:6-12 - Darius's Decree Supporting the Temple")), not only reaffirming Cyrus's authorization but also providing royal support, protection, and even financial assistance for the completion of the temple. This discovery removed the legal obstacles and ensured the successful and unhindered completion of the sacred structure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 6:2, with its focus on the providential discovery of a crucial decree, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the overarching plan of God for humanity's redemption through Jesus Christ. Just as a hidden "record" was revealed at the appointed time to validate the temple's rebuilding, so too was God's eternal "record" or decree concerning salvation revealed and brought to fruition in the person and work of Jesus. The temple, whose rebuilding was validated by this decree, ultimately pointed to Christ Himself, who declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")," referring to the temple of His body. The meticulous care with which God ensured the discovery of Cyrus's decree foreshadows His even greater, perfect orchestration of history to bring about the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of His Son, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through Christ, God's ultimate and eternal plan for reconciliation and the establishment of His true spiritual temple—the Church, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with [Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ, the Chief Cornerstone")—is fully realized. The "record" of salvation, written in eternity, was perfectly executed in time through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, ensuring that God's redemptive purposes will never be thwarted, but will stand forever, just as [His word will not return to Him empty](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose").

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.