BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezra› Chapter 6› Verse 10

Ezra 6:10

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ezra 6:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
Ezra 6:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezra 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7let 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.
8Moreover 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.
9And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven; [also] wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
10that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
11Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:
12and the God that hath caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples that shall put forth their hand to alter [the same], to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
13Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, because that Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.
← Ezra 6:9Ezra 6:11 →
← Full Chapter 6 Ezra Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, etc.] Such as will be acceptable to him, (<010821>Genesis 8:21) and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons; prayer being wont to be made at the time of the morning and evening incense; and the Jews used to pray for other people besides themselves, and especially when desired, and particularly for kings and civil magistrates, to whom they were subject, (see <242907>Jeremiah 29:7 <540201>1 Timothy 2:1,2), the sons of Darius Hystaspis, for whose life, as well as his own, he would have prayer made, were, according to Herodotus f63, three by his first wife, the daughter of Gobryas, before he began to reign, the eldest…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:10 pray for the welfare of the king and his sons: In the Cyrus Cylinder (a Persian account of Cyrus’s defeat of Babylon), King Cyrus requests, “May all the gods whom I have resettled in their sacred cities ask [the Babylonian gods] Bel and Nebo daily for a long life for me” (see 1:1-4).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sweet savours: Chal, rest, Gen 8:21; Lev 1:9, Lev 1:13; Eph 5:2 pray: Ezr 7:23; Jer 29:7; Ti1 2:1, Ti1 2:2 Ezra 6:11”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezra 6 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification