Ezra — Chapter 6

The decree of Cyrus fixed the height and breadth of the new Temple at sixty cubits. Lapide notes that Solomon's Temple was 120 cubits high — twice as tall. Cyrus deliberately restricted the size so the Jews could not use the Temple as a fortress from which to rebel.

The ancients of the Jews built, and they prospered according to the prophecy of Aggeus the prophet and Zacharias the son of Addo. The Temple was built by the command of the God of Israel and by the permission of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. Lapide distinguishes: the inner Temple proper was completed in year six of Darius (v. 15), but the courts, porticoes, and ornaments were completed under Artaxerxes.

The house of God was completed on the third day of the month Adar, which is the sixth year of the reign of king Darius. Lapide notes that by year nine of Darius all the courts, porticoes, and ornaments were also finished, following Josephus.

And the children of Israel of the captivity kept the phase, on the fourteenth day of the first month. The returned exiles celebrate the Passover: priests and Levites purified as one, all clean to slay the Pasch for all the children of the return and for all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to seek the Lord God of Israel. Lapide notes the continuity of Israel's worship and its typological significance for the Eucharist.

And they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assur to them, that he should help their hands in the work of the house of the Lord God of Israel. Lapide: \"the king of Assur\" here is Darius, so called because the Assyrians were formerly the world-rulers and monarchs, but now fell under the Persian monarchy of Darius.