And this temple was completedThe completion of the temple marks a significant moment in Jewish history, fulfilling the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah who encouraged the people to rebuild. The temple's completion signifies the restoration of worship and the presence of God among His people. This event is a fulfillment of God's promise to restore Israel after the Babylonian exile.
on the third day of the month of Adar,
The month of Adar corresponds to February-March in the Gregorian calendar. The specific mention of the third day highlights the precision and care in recording historical events in the Bible. Adar is the last month of the Jewish calendar, symbolizing the end of a period and the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites. This timing also aligns with the Jewish festival of Purim, a celebration of deliverance and divine providence.
in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
King Darius I of Persia reigned from 522 to 486 BC. The sixth year of his reign would be around 516 BC. Darius played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the temple by supporting the Jewish efforts and providing resources, as recorded inEzra 6:1-12. His reign is marked by administrative efficiency and support for local customs and religions, which facilitated the completion of the temple. This period is significant as it marks the end of the 70-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12), demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The TempleThe central focus of this verse, the temple in Jerusalem, represents the physical and spiritual center of Jewish worship and identity. Its completion marks a significant moment in the restoration of the Jewish people after the Babylonian exile.
2.
The Third Day of the Month of AdarThis date signifies the completion of the temple, which is a time of celebration and fulfillment of God's promises. Adar is the twelfth month in the Hebrew calendar, often associated with joy and deliverance.
3.
The Sixth Year of the Reign of King DariusKing Darius of Persia played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the temple by supporting the Jewish efforts and providing resources. His reign is marked by a policy of tolerance and support for the Jewish people.
4.
The Jewish ReturneesThe Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem were instrumental in rebuilding the temple. Their perseverance and faithfulness are key themes in the book of Ezra.
5.
Prophets Haggai and ZechariahThough not mentioned in this specific verse, these prophets encouraged the people to complete the temple, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God’s commands.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in FulfillmentThe completion of the temple is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Believers can trust that God will accomplish His purposes in His perfect timing.
The Importance of ObedienceThe perseverance of the Jewish returnees in completing the temple despite opposition highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Christians are called to remain faithful in their tasks, trusting in God's provision.
Role of Leadership and SupportKing Darius's support underscores the importance of godly leadership and the role of external support in accomplishing God's work. Believers should pray for and support leaders who align with God's purposes.
Spiritual Renewal and WorshipThe temple's completion signifies a renewal of worship and spiritual life for the Jewish people. Christians are reminded of the importance of maintaining a vibrant spiritual life centered on worship and devotion to God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ezra 6:15?
2.How does Ezra 6:15 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
3.What role did obedience play in completing the temple as described in Ezra 6:15?
4.How does Ezra 6:15 connect to God's covenant with Israel in the Old Testament?
5.What can we learn from the perseverance shown in Ezra 6:15 for our faith?
6.How can we apply the dedication seen in Ezra 6:15 to our church projects?
7.How does Ezra 6:15 confirm the historical accuracy of the Second Temple's completion date?
8.What archaeological evidence supports the timeline mentioned in Ezra 6:15?
9.Why is the completion of the temple in Ezra 6:15 significant for Jewish identity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 6?
11.What did Jesus mean by "Destroy this temple"?
12.Is there any archaeological or historical evidence corroborating Ezra’s account of widespread repentance or public assembly in Ezra 9:5–6?
13.How do Malachi 1:6–8’s denunciations of flawed sacrifices align with other Old Testament laws on offerings?
14.In Zechariah 7:1–3, how does the timeline of the fourth year of King Darius align with known Persian historical records?What Does Ezra 6:15 Mean
And this temple was completed• The work that began under Cyrus (Ezra 1:2–3) finally reaches the finish line. God’s promise through Isaiah that Jerusalem would be rebuilt (Isaiah 44:28) is now a visible reality, underscoring that the Lord always brings His purposes to completion (Philippians 1:6).
• The restoration serves as a fresh start for worship, just as Solomon’s temple once symbolized God’s covenant faithfulness (1 Kings 8:13).
• The builders “prospered through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah” (Ezra 6:14). Their preaching encouraged obedience, reminding us that God’s Word energizes God’s work (Haggai 1:8–14;Zechariah 4:6–9).
on the third day• Specific dating shows historical precision. Luke makes a similar point by dating the ministries of Jesus and John (Luke 3:1–2); Scripture anchors faith in verifiable events.
• “Third day” language often points to decisive moments—Abraham lifted his eyes on the third day (Genesis 22:4), Hezekiah’s healing was confirmed on the third day (2 Kings 20:5), and Christ rose on the third day (Luke 24:46). Here the phrase crowns the temple’s new life, hinting at God’s pattern of bringing restoration at just the right moment.
of the month of Adar• Adar is the twelfth month (Esther 3:7), roughly February–March. Finishing in the last month of the year prepares the people to celebrate Passover the very next month (Ezra 6:19), linking physical restoration to spiritual renewal.
• Adar is also the month of Israel’s deliverance in Esther’s day (Esther 9:1). The temple’s completion in the same month highlights the Lord’s repeated acts of rescue and provision.
in the sixth year• The sixth year of Darius I corresponds to 515 BC, exactly seventy years after the temple’s destruction in 586 BC, fulfilling Jeremiah’s seventy-year prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11–12;2 Chronicles 36:21).
• God’s timing is meticulous. He began stirring the exiles in the “first year of Cyrus” (Ezra 1:1) and kept the project moving through opposition (Ezra 4:24–5:2). The interval reminds us that delays do not cancel divine intentions (Habakkuk 2:3).
of the reign of King Darius• Darius, though a pagan ruler, becomes an instrument in God’s hand (Proverbs 21:1). He not only reaffirms Cyrus’s decree but finances the work from royal revenues (Ezra 6:8–10).
• The mention of his reign signals stability; after the upheavals of previous kings (Ezra 4:5–7), God provides a leader who safeguards His people’s mission, much like He later uses Artaxerxes to assist Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:4-8).
summaryEzra 6:15 records more than a construction milestone; it showcases God’s faithfulness, precision, and sovereign control. The temple finished exactly when, where, and how the Lord intended—under prophetic encouragement, financed by a foreign king, and timed to the very day. Every detail underscores that the God who begins a good work ensures its completion, inviting His people to trust Him for every unfinished task in their own lives today.
(15)
The third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year.--The event around which this part of the history revolves is dated with due care; it was on the third day of the last month of the ecclesiastical year, B.C. 516-515. Haggai (
Haggai 1:15) gives the exact date of the re-commencement: the time therefore was four years five months and ten days. But, dating from the first foundation (
Ezra 3:10), no less than twenty-one years had elapsed.
Verse 15. -
The house was finished on the third day of the month Adar. Haggai (
Haggai 1:15) gives the exact day of the recommencement of the work as the twenty-fourth of Elul in Darius's second year. Ezra here gives the exact day of the completion. From Zerubbabel's laying of the foundation (
Ezra 3:10), the time that had elapsed was twenty-one years. From the recommencement under the inspiriting influence of the two prophets, the time was only four years, five months, and ten days. DEDICATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE (
Ezra 6:16-18). Following the example of Solomon, who had solemnly "dedicated" the first temple (
1 Kings 8:63), and had offered on the occasion a sacrifice unexampled for its magnitude in the whole of Jewish history (
ibid.), Zerubbabel now, under the advice of two prophets, inaugurated the new building with a similar ceremony. In "the day of small things" it was not possible for him to emulate Solomon's magnificence in respect of the number of victims. Solomon had sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Zerubbabel's means only enabled him to make an offering of 712 animals, more than half of them lambs. He did, however, according to his ability; and God, who accepts all our endeavours according to that we have, and not according to that we have not, was content to receive graciously the humble offering made to him, and to bless the building thus inaugurated with a glory unknown to the first temple. The Lord himself, the Messenger of the covenant, so long sought by his people, suddenly came to this temple (
Malachi 3:1) - came to it, and frequented it, and taught in it, and gave it a dignity and a majesty far beyond the first temple, which possessed indeed the Shechinah, but was once, and once only, vouchsafed a brief manifestation of the actual Divine presence (
2 Chronicles 7:1).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And thisדְנָ֔ה(ḏə·nāh)Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836:Thistempleבַּיְתָ֣ה(bay·ṯāh)Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1005:A housewas completedוְשֵׁיצִיא֙(wə·šê·ṣî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3319:To bring out, finishonעַ֛ד(‘aḏ)Preposition
Strong's 5705:Even to, untilthe thirdתְּלָתָ֖ה(tə·lā·ṯāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8532:Three, thirddayי֥וֹם(yō·wm)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3118:A dayof the monthלִירַ֣ח(lî·raḥ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3393:A monthof Adar,אֲדָ֑ר(’ă·ḏār)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 144:The twelfth month in the Jewish calendarin the sixthשֵׁ֔ת(šêṯ)Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8353:Sixyearשְׁנַת־(šə·naṯ-)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140:A yearof the reignלְמַלְכ֖וּת(lə·mal·ḵūṯ)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4437:Royalty, reign, kingdomof Kingמַלְכָּֽא׃(mal·kā)Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430:A kingDarius.דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ(dā·rə·yā·weš)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1868:Darius -- two person kings
Links
Ezra 6:15 NIVEzra 6:15 NLTEzra 6:15 ESVEzra 6:15 NASBEzra 6:15 KJV
Ezra 6:15 BibleApps.comEzra 6:15 Biblia ParalelaEzra 6:15 Chinese BibleEzra 6:15 French BibleEzra 6:15 Catholic Bible
OT History: Ezra 6:15 This house was finished on the third (Ezr. Ez) 
