Ezra 6:4

“With three rows of great stones, etc.] Which Jarchi interprets of the walls of it, and these stones of marble; and so Ben Melech: and a row of new timber; of cedar wood upon the rows of stone, (see <110636>1 Kings 6:36) or for the lining and wainscoting the walls: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house; treasury, or exchequer; but it does not appear that this part of the decree was observed, at least hitherto; but the Jews built at their own expense, and perhaps did not exactly observe the directions given as to the dimensions of the house.”

“The word translated “row” occurs only in this passage. Some regard it as a “course,” and suppose that after every three courses of stone there followed a course of timber. Others understand three “storeys” of stone, with a fourth “storey” of woodwork on the summit (compare 1 Kings 6:5-6). Others consider that Cyrus intended to limit the thickness of the walls, which were not to exceed a breadth of three rows of stone, with an inner wooden wainscotting. Let the expenses be given out of the king’s house - i. e., “out of the Persian revenue,” a portion of the decree which was probably not observed during the later years of Cyrus and during the reign of Cambyses, and hence the burthen fell upon…”

“6:4 All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury. Although it seems surprising that the Persians would do this, it was consistent with Persian practice elsewhere (e.g., at Sais and Elephantine in Egypt, and at Ur in Mesopotamia). Such generosity was designed to ensure loyalty to Persia.”

“three rows: Kg1 6:36 the expenses: Ezr 7:20-23; Psa 68:29, Psa 72:10; Isa 49:23, Isa 60:6-10; Rev 12:16 Ezra 6:5”