Ezra 6:8

River

⁶ Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:

⁷ Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

⁹ And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:

¹⁰ That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered.
KJV: Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
WEB: Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered.
ASV: Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king`s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence unto these men, that they be not hindered.
DARBY: Moreover, I give orders what ye shall do to these elders of the Jews, for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, of the tribute beyond the river, expenses be diligently given to these men, that they be not hindered.
BLB: And a decree is made by me for what it is that you⁺ shall do for the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: Of the riches of the king that [are] of the tribute beyond the river, let the expense be paid diligently and given to these men, so that they are not hindered.

ÅB: Og jeg har gitt befaling om hvordan dere skal gå fram mot disse jødenes eldste, så dette Guds hus kan bli bygget: Av de inntekter som kongen har av skatten fra landet hinsides elven, skal omkostningene nøyaktig utredes til disse menn, så arbeidet ikke skal bli hindret.
OTB: Videre utsteder jeg en befaling angående hva dere skal gjøre for disse jødiske eldste i gjenoppbyggingen av dette Guds hus: Den fulle kostnaden skal betales til disse mennene fra den kongelige skattkisten, fra skattene i provinsene bortenfor elven, uten forsinkelse.
B1930: Og jeg har gitt befaling om hvorledes I skal gå frem mot disse jødenes eldste, så dette Guds hus kan bli bygget: Av de inntekter som kongen har av skatten fra landet hinsides elven, skal omkostningene nøiaktig utredes til disse menn, så arbeidet ikke skal bli hindret.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ezra 6:4
With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
Read in context
Ezra 7:15–22
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
Read in context
Haggai 2:8
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
Read in context
Ezra 4:20–21
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
Read in context
Ezra 4:16
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
Read in context
Ezra 4:23
Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
Read in context
Psalms 68:29–31
Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
Read in context
Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
Read in context