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⇱ Ezra 6:4 with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.

Bible > Ezra > Chapter 6 > Verse 4
◄ Ezra 6:4 ►
New International Version
with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury.

New Living Translation
Every three layers of specially prepared stones will be topped by a layer of timber. All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury.

English Standard Version
with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.

Berean Standard Bible
with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.

King James Bible
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the king's house:

New King James Version
with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king’s treasury.

New American Standard Bible
with three layers of large stones and one layer of timber. And the cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.

NASB 1995
with three layers of huge stones and one layer of timbers. And let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.

NASB 1977
with three layers of huge stones, and one layer of timbers. And let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.

Legacy Standard Bible
with three layers of huge stones and one layer of timbers. And let the cost be given from the royal treasury.

Amplified Bible
with three layers of huge stones and one layer of timbers. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.

Christian Standard Bible
with three layers of cut stones and one of timber. The cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
with three layers of cut stones and one of timber. The cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.

American Standard Version
with three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house.

Contemporary English Version
with one row of wooden beams for each three rows of large stones. The royal treasury will pay for everything.

English Revised Version
with three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
with three rows of large stones and a row of wood. The king's palace will pay for it.

Good News Translation
The walls are to be built with one layer of wood on top of each three layers of stone. All expenses are to be paid by the royal treasury.

International Standard Version
constructed with three layers of foundation stone interlaced with a row of new timber, the expenses for which are to be paid from the king's treasury.

NET Bible
with three layers of large stones and one layer of timber. The expense is to be subsidized by the royal treasury.

New Heart English Bible
with three layers of great stones, and one layer of timber. And let the expenses be given out of the king's house.

Webster's Bible Translation
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.

World English Bible
with three courses of great stones and a course of new timber. Let the expenses be given out of the king’s house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new wood, and let the outlay be given out of the king’s house.

Young's Literal Translation
three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new wood, and the outlay let be given out of the king's house.

Smith's Literal Translation
And three layers of stone of magnitude: and a layer of new wood: and the outgoing shall be given from the king's house:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Three rows of unpolished stones, and so rows of new timber: and the charges shall be given out of the king's house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
with three rows of rough stones, and so as to have rows of new timber, and that the expenses shall be given from the house of the king.

New American Bible
It shall have three courses of cut stone for each one of timber. The costs are to be borne by the royal house.

New Revised Standard Version
with three courses of hewn stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
With three rows of great stones and doors of new timber: and let the expenses be paid out of the king's house;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A square of three stones and a door of new wood; also the expense is given from the house of the King.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
with three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber, and let the expenses be given out of the king's house;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And let there be three strong layers of stone, and one layer of timber; and the expense shall be paid out of the house of the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Darius
…3In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, 4with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury. 5Furthermore, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, must also be returned to the temple in Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God.…

Cross References
1 Kings 6:36
Solomon built the inner courtyard with three rows of dressed stone and one row of trimmed cedar beams.

1 Kings 7:12
The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 6:36-37
Solomon built the inner courtyard with three rows of dressed stone and one row of trimmed cedar beams. / The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.

2 Chronicles 3:3
The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard.

1 Kings 6:9-10
So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar. / He built chambers all along the temple, each five cubits high and attached to the temple with beams of cedar.

1 Kings 5:17-18
And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones. / So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.

1 Kings 6:15-18
He lined the interior walls with cedar paneling from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and he covered the floor with cypress boards. / He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. / And the main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. ...

1 Kings 6:5-6
Against the walls of the temple and the inner sanctuary, Solomon built a chambered structure around the temple, in which he constructed the side rooms. / The bottom floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits, and the third floor seven cubits. He also placed offset ledges around the outside of the temple, so that nothing would be inserted into its walls.

1 Kings 6:2
The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high.

1 Kings 6:7
The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

1 Kings 6:14
So Solomon built the temple and finished it.

1 Kings 6:38
In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in every detail and according to every specification. So he built the temple in seven years.

1 Kings 7:9-12
All these buildings were constructed with costly stones, cut to size and trimmed with saws inside and out from the foundation to the eaves, and from the outside to the great courtyard. / The foundations were laid with large, costly stones, some ten cubits long and some eight cubits long. / Above these were costly stones, cut to size, and cedar beams. ...

1 Kings 6:8
The entrance to the bottom floor was on the south side of the temple. A stairway led up to the middle level, and from there to the third floor.

1 Kings 6:36-38
Solomon built the inner courtyard with three rows of dressed stone and one row of trimmed cedar beams. / The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv. / In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in every detail and according to every specification. So he built the temple in seven years.


1 Kings 6:36
And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

the expenses

Ezra 7:20-23
And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house…

Psalm 68:29
Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Jump to Previous
Cost Course Courses Expenses Great House Huge King's Layers Lines Money Necessary New Outlay Paid Rolled Row Rows Royal Stones Store-House Supports Three Timber Timbers Treasury Wood
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Cost Course Courses Expenses Great House Huge King's Layers Lines Money Necessary New Outlay Paid Rolled Row Rows Royal Stones Store-House Supports Three Timber Timbers Treasury Wood
Ezra 6
1. Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, makes a new decree for building
13. By the help of Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai the temple is finished
16. The feast of the dedication is kept
19. and the Passover














with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers
This construction method reflects the architectural practices of the Persian period, emphasizing stability and durability. The use of cut stones signifies a commitment to quality and permanence, while the inclusion of timber layers may have been for structural flexibility or aesthetic purposes. This design mirrors the construction of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:36), indicating continuity in sacred architecture. The number three often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in biblical numerology, while wood can symbolize humanity or mortality, suggesting a blend of divine and human elements in the temple's construction.

The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury
This provision underscores the Persian king's support for the Jewish community and the rebuilding of the temple, highlighting God's sovereignty in using foreign rulers to fulfill His purposes. It reflects the policy of the Persian Empire to support local religious practices to maintain peace and loyalty among conquered peoples. This financial backing from the royal treasury fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 44:28, where God declares that Cyrus will decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. It also prefigures the ultimate provision of God through Christ, who pays the cost for humanity's redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Darius
The Persian king who issued the decree to continue the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, ensuring that the costs were covered by the royal treasury.

2. The Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Jewish people, which was being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile.

3. The Jewish Exiles
The people of Israel who returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple and restore their community.

4. The Royal Treasury
The source of funding for the temple's reconstruction, highlighting the support from the Persian empire.

5. The Builders
The workers and leaders, including Zerubbabel and Jeshua, who were responsible for the physical reconstruction of the temple.
Teaching Points
God's Provision
Just as God provided for the temple's reconstruction through King Darius, He provides for our needs today. Trust in His provision and faithfulness.

The Importance of Worship
The temple was central to Jewish worship. Prioritize worship in your life, ensuring that God remains at the center of your daily activities.

Obedience to God's Commands
The rebuilding of the temple was a response to God's command. Reflect on areas in your life where you need to be obedient to God's instructions.

Community and Cooperation
The rebuilding effort required cooperation among the Jewish exiles. Engage in community efforts and support one another in fulfilling God's purposes.

Faith in Action
The physical act of rebuilding the temple was an expression of faith. Consider how you can put your faith into action in tangible ways.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezra 6:4?

2. How does Ezra 6:4 emphasize the importance of following God's detailed instructions?

3. What does the use of "three layers of cut stones" symbolize in worship?

4. How can we ensure our church projects align with biblical principles like in Ezra 6:4?

5. What scriptural connections exist between Ezra 6:4 and Solomon's temple construction?

6. How can Ezra 6:4 inspire us to prioritize excellence in our spiritual endeavors?

7. How does Ezra 6:4 reflect the historical accuracy of the Bible's account of temple construction?

8. What does Ezra 6:4 reveal about God's provision and sovereignty in rebuilding the temple?

9. How does the use of "three layers of cut stones" in Ezra 6:4 symbolize divine order?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 6?

11. Do the specified Temple dimensions in Ezra 6:3–4 conflict with other biblical passages and known historical structures?

12. Is there sufficient archaeological evidence to confirm that the returned exiles had the resources to rebuild the Temple at the time Haggai 1:2-8 demands?

13. Nehemiah 4:6: Is it physically plausible for the wall to reach 'half its height' so quickly with the limited manpower described?

14. 1 Chronicles 26:20-28: Why is there no historical or archaeological record of such vast temple treasuries despite the detailed inventory here?
What Does Ezra 6:4 Mean
Setting the Stage

“Furthermore, the cost is to be paid from the royal treasury.” (Ezra 6:4)

• Ezra records the exact wording of the Persian decree located in the archives at Ecbatana (Ezra 6:1–3).

• The command confirms that God, who “stirs up the spirit of kings” (Proverbs 21:1; Ezra 1:1), has moved Darius to endorse and finance the work just as He earlier moved Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28).

• The temple had been stalled by opposition (Ezra 4), yet God’s purpose stood firm, echoing His promise in Haggai 2:4–9 that the “glory of this latter house” would surpass the former.

Three Layers of Cut Stones

“And three rows of large stones…” (Ezra 6:4)

• Ancient builders laid massive, dressed stones in repeating tiers for stability (compare 1 Kings 6:36: “three courses of hewn stone”).

• God had specified solid stone foundations for His dwelling place before (1 Kings 5:17), underscoring permanence.

• For the returned exiles, these stones testified that the Lord’s covenant promises were as unshakable as the structure itself (Psalm 18:2; Matthew 16:18).

One Layer of Timbers

“…and one of timber.” (Ezra 6:4)

• Cedar and cypress beams—floated down from Lebanon in Solomon’s day (1 Kings 5:6–9)—are now ordered again (Ezra 3:7; Nehemiah 2:8).

• Wood atop stone created a flexible band that absorbed stress, protecting the masonry during quakes. God’s design blends strength with resilience, mirroring His care for His people (Isaiah 41:10).

• Timber also carried symbolic warmth: in Haggai 1:8 the Lord commands, “Go up to the hills and bring wood…that I may take pleasure in it.” The people’s obedience in supplying lumber displayed renewed devotion.

Paid from the Royal Treasury

“The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.” (Ezra 6:4)

• Pagan funds bankroll God’s house—an unmistakable declaration that “the earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1).

• Darius orders ongoing support (Ezra 6:8–10), paralleling Artaxerxes’ later grants to Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 7:21–24; Nehemiah 2:7–9).

• The exiles need not beg or tax themselves into ruin; God supplies abundantly, just as He later moved Magi from foreign lands to finance the worship of the infant Christ (Matthew 2:11).

Why These Details Matter

• They prove God’s meticulous faithfulness: every prophecy about the temple’s rebuilding (Jeremiah 29:10; Isaiah 44:28) comes to pass in precise detail.

• They reassure believers that opposition cannot overturn divine decree (Romans 8:31).

• They foreshadow the living temple—the Church—built on Christ the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20–22):

– Stone speaks of unyielding truth.

– Timber speaks of life and growth.

– Royal funding anticipates the grace freely lavished on us (Ephesians 1:7–8).

summary

Ezra 6:4 records a royal order for a temple built of three sturdy stone courses capped by a timber layer, entirely financed by Persia. Every element—stone for permanence, timber for flexibility, royal gold for provision—demonstrates the Lord’s sovereign ability to keep His promises, protect His people, and supply their every need, all while putting His glory on display before the nations.

Verse 4. - With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber. The Septuagint interpreter understood by this that the new temple was to be four storeys high, three storeys being built of stone, and one of timber. The two wings of the temple of Solomon were undoubtedly three storeys high (1 Kings 6:6). But it is perhaps doubtful whether the word nidbak ever means "storey." Most commentators suppose three courses of stone, and then a course of timber, repeated from foundation to summit; but there is no known example of such a mode of building. The expences were to be given out of the king's house, defrayed, i.e., out of the royal revenue; but either this intention of Cyrus was not carried out, or it was understood to apply only to the materials. Large sums were subscribed by the Jews themselves towards the building (Ezra 2:69), and large payments were made by them to the persons employed upon the work (Ezra 3:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
with three
תְּלָתָ֔א (tə·lā·ṯā)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8532: Three, third

layers
נִדְבָּכִ֞ין (niḏ·bā·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5073: A row or layer, course

of
דִּי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

cut stones
אֶ֤בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 69: A stone

and one
חֲדַ֑ת (ḥă·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2323: New

of
דִּי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

timbers.
אָ֣ע (’ā‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 636: A tree, wood

The costs
וְנִ֨פְקְתָ֔א (wə·nip̄·qə·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 5313: An outgo, expense

are to be paid
תִּתְיְהִֽב׃ (tiṯ·yə·hiḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

the royal
מַלְכָּ֖א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

treasury.
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house


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OT History: Ezra 6:4 With three courses of great stones (Ezr. Ez)