Biblical references
Text: World English Bible (public domain). The ESV and NKJV are the preferred study translations and are referenced, not reproduced.
1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched. 2 A scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record: 3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid, with its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits; 4 with three courses of great stones and a course of new timber. Let the expenses be given out of the king’s house. 5 Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, everything to its place. You shall put them in God’s house. 6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there. 7 Leave 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 its place. 8 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. 9 That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons. 11 I have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. 12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.
Connection: The memorandum records Cyrus's first-year decree (cf. Ezra 1:2–4). (confidence: high)
Biblical account
Layer: Biblical text
Darius had the archives searched; at Achmetha in Media a scroll recorded Cyrus's first-year decree for the house (sixty cubits high and wide, three courses of great stones and one of timber, costs from the king's house, the vessels restored). Darius ordered Tattenai and his colleagues to keep away, to fund the work from the tribute of Beyond the River, to supply daily sacrifices so the priests might pray for the king and his sons, and threatened impalement on a beam for anyone altering the decree.
Historical overview
Layer: Historical reconstruction · Period: Achaemenid Persian rule over Judah
Darius I became king in 522 after killing Bardiya (Behistun) and was recognised in Babylonia from early 521. Haggai and Zechariah date their prophecies about the rebuilding to his second year (Hag 1:1; Zech 1:1).[1]
- Darius I (the Great): Issuer[1]
Kingdoms: Achaemenid Persian Empire, Kingdom of Judah
Date and chronology derivation
Ranges are computed by the project's deterministic chronology engine from the biblical statements and each model's reign anchors. They are reconstructions, not independent dates.
520 BC – 515 BC
Model-independent (applies under every chronology model) · precision: undated
How this range was derived
Earliest bound
- “In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month” — Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC) in regnal year reign of Darius I (the Great) (year 2) [reckoned accession, nisan new year] (Haggai 1:1)[1]Assumption: Babylonian Nisan-based regnal years (as for Ezra 6:15): year 2 = 3 April 520 – 22 March 519 (Parker & Dubberstein table). Month VI began 29 August 520, so 1/VI = 29 Aug and 24/VI (Hag 1:15) = 21 Sep 520.
- “At the same time Tattenai … came to them” — Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17) after Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC) (Ezra 5:3)
- “Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made” — Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17) before Darius I confirms Cyrus's decree and orders the Temple completed (Ezra 6:1–12) (Ezra 6:1)
Latest bound
- “This house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king” — The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15) in regnal year reign of Darius I (the Great) (year 6) [reckoned accession, nisan new year] (Ezra 6:15)[1]Assumption: Babylonian Nisan-based years: year 6 = spring 516 – spring 515, so Adar falls in Feb–Mar 515 (Parker & Dubberstein table).
- “They built and finished it, according to … the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes” — Darius I confirms Cyrus's decree and orders the Temple completed (Ezra 6:1–12) before The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15) (Ezra 6:14–15)
What else was happening? (model-independent)
- Daniel's refusal of the king's food and the ten-day test (Dan 1:8–16): 606 BC – ?
- Nebuchadnezzar's golden image on the plain of Dura (Dan 3:1–7): 603 BC – ?
- Nebuchadnezzar's decree honouring the God of the three Judeans (Dan 3:28–30): 603 BC – ?
- The refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Dan 3:8–27): 603 BC – ?
- The thirty-day decree and Daniel in the lions' den (Dan 6:4–23): 539 BC – ?
- Darius appoints 120 satraps and three chief officials (Dan 6:1–3, 28): 539 BC – ?
- The accusers punished; Darius's decree honouring the God of Daniel (Dan 6:24–27): 539 BC – ?
- The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15): 516 BC – 515 BC
- Darius I (the Great) (reign): 522 BC – 486 BC
- Gedaliah governs from Mizpah and is assassinated (2 Kgs 25:22–26): 589 BC – ?
- Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17): 520 BC – 515 BC
- Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC): 520 BC – 519 BC
- Opposition from the people of the land; the Temple work ceases until Darius's second year (Ezra 4:1–5, 24): 537 BC – 519 BC
- Accusations to Ahasuerus and the Rehum–Shimshai letter to Artaxerxes; the city's rebuilding stopped (Ezra 4:6–23): 537 BC – ?
- The returned exiles keep the Passover after the Temple's dedication (Ezra 6:19–22): 516 BC – 515 BC
- Haggai's oracles of 24/IX, Darius year 2: "from this day I will bless you"; Zerubbabel the signet: 520 BC – 519 BC
- Haggai's oracle on the latter glory of the house (21/VII, Darius year 2): 520 BC – 519 BC
- Zechariah's first oracle: the call to return (8th month, Darius year 2): 520 BC – 519 BC
- Zechariah's night visions (24 Shebat, Darius year 2; Zech 1:7–6:8): 520 BC – 519 BC
- Crowns made from the exiles' gifts and set on Joshua; the oracle of the Branch (Zech 6:9–15): 520 BC – 515 BC
- The Bethel delegation and the question of fasting; Zechariah's answer (4/IX, Darius year 4): 518 BC – 517 BC
- The first "burden" of Zechariah 9–11 (undated oracle collection): 518 BC – ?
- The second "burden" of Zechariah 12–14 (undated oracle collection): 518 BC – ?
Ancient and modern geography
Location confidence assumes the event as described. Whether it occurred is assessed in the claims below.
| Place | Connection to this event | Location identification |
|---|---|---|
| JerusalemJerusalem (Old City / City of David) | Object of the decreeLocation confidence: certain | Pleiades representative point: certain[2] |
| Ecbatana (Achmetha)Hamadan | Archive where the memorandum was foundLocation confidence: certain | Hamadan (Pleiades 903021): certain[3] |
Claims, evidence and classifications
Each claim is classified on its own. A classification describes the evidence for that specific claim, not for the event as a whole.
Darius I reigned from 522/521 to 486 BC, so his second and sixth years fall in 520/519 and 516/515.
Babylonian contracts dated by Darius from early 521 to late 486, with a gap during the revolts, fix his regnal years.
Supporting
- Darius I recognised in Babylonia from Feb 521 (possibly Dec 522); died Nov 486; year 1 began Nisan 521.[1]Strength: direct·pp. 12–15; table·Claim checked
Limitations of this classification: The decree itself is attested only in Ezra.
Research date 2026-10-13
Achmetha (Ezra 6:2) is Ecbatana (modern Hamadan), a Persian royal residence.
Pleiades associates Achmeta, Hagmatana and Ecbatana with Hamadan; Ryle explains the Aramaic form and the summer residence; Josephus names Ecbatana in Media independently of the Hebrew form.
Supporting
Research date 2026-10-13
The Aramaic memorandum of Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:3–5) is an authentic Persian archival record.
Keil and Ryle accept it; Ryle suggests the records had been moved from Babylon to Ecbatana. De Vaux (via Guzik) argues that a forger in Palestine would not have known that Cyrus left Babylon for Ecbatana in spring 538. Batten notes that the Hebrew (1:2–4) and Aramaic (6:3–5) versions differ materially — "one or both must be wrong" — and that Tattenai's report and the decree agree too closely to be independent. No copy outside Ezra survives.
Supporting
Challenging
- The two versions differ materially; one or both must be wrong; the report and decree are dependent.[7]Strength: indirect·pp. 59–60, 143·Claim checked
Context
- Cyrus returned the images of the gods and their peoples to abandoned sanctuaries — a general policy of restoring cults.[8]Strength: direct·lines 32–33·Claim checked
Limitations of this classification: de Vaux (1937) not read directly; known through Guzik.
Research date 2026-10-13
Persian kings supported local cults with grants and expected prayers for the king.
The Cyrus Cylinder records Cyrus restoring gods to their shrines and asking them to pray for him; Guzik (after Yamauchi) cites a Greek–Lycian–Aramaic cult charter from Xanthos (found 1973) under Persian rule. The Xanthos text was not read in this session.
Supporting
Limitations of this classification: Xanthos trilingual not read.
Research date 2026-10-13
Evidence by type
The same evidence regrouped by kind of source. Each item names the claims it bears on.
Archaeological evidence
None recorded for this event.
Scientific findings
None recorded for this event.
Ancient documents
- The book was found at Ecbatana, in Media.[5]Bears on: supporting — “Achmetha (Ezra 6:2) is Ecbatana (modern Hamadan), a Persian royal resi…”
- Cyrus returned the images of the gods and their peoples to abandoned sanctuaries — a general policy of restoring cults.[8]Bears on: context — “The Aramaic memorandum of Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:3–5) is an authentic …”
- Gods returned to their sanctuaries; "May all the gods whom I settled in their sacred centers ask daily of Bêl and Nâbu that my days be long".[8]Bears on: supporting — “Persian kings supported local cults with grants and expected prayers f…”
Modern news and announcements
None recorded for this event.
Reference works and summaries
- Darius I recognised in Babylonia from Feb 521 (possibly Dec 522); died Nov 486; year 1 began Nisan 521.[1]Bears on: supporting — “Darius I reigned from 522/521 to 486 BC, so his second and sixth years…”
- Ecbatana, Hagmatana, Achmeta, Hamadan (certain).[3]Bears on: supporting — “Achmetha (Ezra 6:2) is Ecbatana (modern Hamadan), a Persian royal resi…”
- Achmetha is the Aramaic transliteration of Ecbatana, the Persian summer residence.[4]Bears on: supporting — “Achmetha (Ezra 6:2) is Ecbatana (modern Hamadan), a Persian royal resi…”
- Records perhaps transferred from Babylon to Ecbatana; the enquiry at Babylon led to Ecbatana.[4]Bears on: supporting — “The Aramaic memorandum of Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:3–5) is an authentic …”
- The two versions differ materially; one or both must be wrong; the report and decree are dependent.[7]Bears on: challenging — “The Aramaic memorandum of Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:3–5) is an authentic …”
Historical disputes and competing reconstructions
Disputed claims: The Aramaic memorandum of Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:3–5) is an authentic Persian archival record.
c. 520–517 BC
D. Guzik (517)
Between the resumption of work in Darius's second year and the completion in his sixth.[9]
Authentic memorandum from the Ecbatana archive
C. F. Keil (1873); H. E. Ryle (1893); R. de Vaux (via Guzik)
Its location fits Cyrus's movements in 538; its specifications differ in purpose from the proclamation of Ezra 1.[4, 6, 10]
At least one of the two versions is not original
L. W. Batten (1913)
The Hebrew and Aramaic versions cannot both be originals.[7]
Related passages and events
| From | Relationship | To | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| this event | Followed byhigh · Biblical text | The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15) | The Temple was finished under the decree (Ezra 6:14–15). |
| this event | Thematic parallelhigh · Biblical text | Haggai 1:1 | Haggai's call to rebuild in Darius's second year. |
| this event | Preceded byhigh · Biblical text | Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17) | Darius searched the archives in response to Tattenai's letter. |
| this event | Direct referencehigh · Biblical text | Cyrus's proclamation permitting the return and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1; 6:3–5) | The memorandum records Cyrus's first-year decree (cf. Ezra 1:2–4). |
| this event | Thematic parallelmedium · External evidence | Cyrus Cylinder (text) | Royal support for restoring local cults and requests for prayers for the king.[8] |
Prophetic relationships
No prophecy or proposed-fulfillment relationships have been recorded for this event.
Unanswered questions and research gaps
- The Ecbatana archive and the Aramaic letters in Ezra 4–6 not researched from modern studies.
- Bickerman and de Vaux on the authenticity of the Cyrus edicts not read directly.
- Xanthos trilingual not read.
- Ecbatana (Achmetha) not yet entered as a place record.
Research process
2 logged searches
| Date | Query | Where | Useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 | Parker & Dubberstein: Darius I, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I evidence and year tables | local text | 1 |
| 2026-10-13 | Ezra 6 unit: Pleiades Ecbatana; Ryle, Keil, Batten on 6:1–12; Josephus Ant. 11.4.6; Enduring Word Ezra 6 | local text | 4 |
Sources
- 1.Parker, Richard A., Dubberstein, Waldo H.. Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C.–A.D. 45 (SAOC 24). University of Chicago Press (Oriental Institute). archive.orgClaim checkedAcademic monographRead through the Internet Archive OCR text of the Oriental Institute PDF; OCR has digit errors (e.g. "589" for 539) checked against context. The 1956 revised edition was not consulted.Verification log
- 2.Pleiades contributors. Ierusalem/Hierosolyma — Pleiades place 687928. Pleiades (pleiades.stoa.org). pleiades.stoa.orgClaim checkedInstitutional databaseRepresentative point read from the Pleiades JSON record: lon 35.234978, lat 31.7771895.Verification log
- 3.Pleiades contributors. Ecbatana / Hagmatana / Achmeta (Hamadan) — Pleiades place 903021. Pleiades (pleiades.stoa.org). pleiades.stoa.orgClaim checkedInstitutional databaseRepresentative point read from the Pleiades JSON record: lon 48.51641, lat 34.80556.Verification log
- 4.Ryle, Herbert Edward. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, with Introduction, Notes and Maps (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges). Cambridge University Press, 1893. archive.orgClaim checkedScholarly commentaryRead through the Internet Archive OCR text.Verification log
- 5.Josephus, Whiston, William (trans.). Josephus, Antiquities 11.4.6–7 (trans. W. Whiston). Project Gutenberg #2848. www.gutenberg.orgClaim checkedAncient primary textVerification log
- 6.Guzik, David. Ezra 6 — Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Enduring Word. enduringword.comClaim checkedTheological commentaryInterpretive resource — not historical corroboration.Verification log
- 7.Batten, Loring W.. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (International Critical Commentary). T. & T. Clark / Scribner, 1913. archive.orgClaim checkedScholarly commentaryRead through the Internet Archive OCR text.Verification log
- 8.Cogan, Mordechai (trans., COS 2003), Schaudig, Hanspeter (edition), van der Spek, R. J.. Cyrus Cylinder — English translation on Livius.org. Livius.org. www.livius.orgClaim checkedAncient primary textPage states only that the cylinder is in the British Museum.Verification log
- 9.Guzik, David. Daniel 9 — Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Enduring Word. enduringword.comClaim checkedTheological commentaryInterpretive resource — not historical corroboration.Verification log
- 10.Keil, C. F., Taylor, Sophia (trans.). Biblical Commentary on the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (Clark's Foreign Theological Library). T. & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1873. archive.orgClaim checkedScholarly commentaryRead through the Internet Archive OCR text.Verification log