Ezra 6:12

“And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there, etc.] Whose name is not only called upon there, and that called by his name; but who grants his presence, and causes his Shechinah, or divine Majesty, to dwell there, as in Solomon’s temple, which Darius had some knowledge of: destroy all kings and people; let them be who they will, high or low: that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God, which is at Jerusalem; this he said to deter from hindering the building of it now, and from attempting to destroy it hereafter: I Darius have made a decree, let it be done with speed; be carried immediately into execution, especially with respect to the disbursement for the…”

“Destroy all - A similar malediction is found at the end of the great inscription of this same king Darius at Behistun: If anyone injures the tablet which he has set up, he prays that Ormazd will be their enemy, and that they may have no offspring, and that whatever they do, Ormazd may curse it for them. To alter and to destroy this house - i. e., to alter the decree, and then proceed to destroy the house. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Destroy - Tho' this temple was at length most justly destroyed by the righteous hand of God, yet perhaps the Romans, who were the instruments of that destruction, felt the effects of this curse. For that empire sensibly declined ever after, 'till it was wholly destroyed. Ezra 6:14”

“caused: Exo 20:24; Deu 12:5, Deu 12:11, Deu 16:2; Kg1 9:3; Ch2 7:16; Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14 destroy: Psa 5:10, Psa 21:8-10, Psa 137:8, Psa 137:9; Isa 60:12; Oba 1:10; Zac 12:2-4; Act 5:38, Act 5:39, Act 9:5; Rev 19:14-21 I Darius: Est 3:14, Est 3:15, Est 8:14 speed: Ezr 6:13; Ecc 9:10 Ezra 6:13”