that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Darius isn't just asking for prayers; he's explicitly linking the pleasing sacrifices offered to the God of heaven with prayers for his own life and his sons' lives. This reveals a powerful, albeit pagan, understanding: that appeasing the supreme God and seeking His favor through worship is intertwined with securing the future of his dynasty.
that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Darius, impressed by the rebuilding of the temple, issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to resume their worship. He emphasizes that their offerings and prayers are not just for their own spiritual well-being, but are also crucial for the stability and prosperity of his own reign and royal family. This decree is found within the context of the ongoing restoration of Jerusalem and its temple after the Babylonian exile, following the discovery of Cyrus's original decree.
Have you ever wondered what makes our worship pleasing to God? It’s more than just going through the motions.
King Darius instructs the Jews to offer sacrifices that are a 'sweet savour' to the God of heaven. This phrase doesn't just refer to a pleasant smell; it speaks to the acceptability of the offering. Think of it as worship that genuinely pleases God, aligning with His will and heart.
This was crucial for the returning exiles. They were rebuilding the Temple, and their sacrifices were a way to re-establish their covenant relationship with God. Darius, though a pagan king, understood the importance of this connection for his own well-being and the stability of his kingdom. He recognized that the Jews' God was real and that their worship had power.
Why should we pray for people in authority, even if we don't agree with them?
Darius explicitly asks the Jews to 'pray for the life of the king and his sons.' This isn't just a polite request; it's a strategic move rooted in a deeper understanding.
Jeremiah 29:7 famously told the exiles to 'seek the peace of the city' they were in and 'pray to the Lord for it, because if the city prospers, you will prosper too.' Darius likely understood this principle. By having the Jews pray to their powerful God, he sought stability and divine favor for his dynasty. This shows that even pagan rulers could recognize the efficacy of prayer directed to the God of heaven. It’s a powerful reminder that praying for our leaders is not just a good idea, but a biblical command that benefits both them and us.
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Understand the original words
nichin · Aramaic Adjective
Sacrifices that are acceptable, favorable, or agreeable to God. It suggests that the act is performed in accordance with His requirements, bringing pleasure or satisfaction to the Lord.
tselohi · Aramaic Verb
The formal act of petitioning or addressing God, acknowledging His sovereignty and dependence upon Him for life, protection, and provision.
King Darius's decree here is a pivotal moment, showing how the Persian Empire, through its administrative policies and respect for local customs, enabled the Jewish people to worship God and pray for the welfare of their rulers, integrating their faith into the imperial structure.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Judahites
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins his campaigns against Judah, deporting some of the royal family and elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, further intensifying the exile of the Jewish people. The Judean state ceases to exist.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His reign ushers in a new era for the exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Restores Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
c. 520-515 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the encouragement of prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, and despite initial opposition, the Jewish community in Jerusalem rebuilds the Second Temple. This is the context in which Darius issues his decree.
c. 515 BC
Temple Rededication
The completed Second Temple is rededicated, marking a significant milestone in the restoration of Jewish religious life in Jerusalem.
This passage directly parallels Ezra 6:10 by instructing the exiled Israelites to pray for the peace and welfare of Babylon, showing a consistent biblical principle of praying for governing authorities even in foreign lands.
1 Timothy 2:1-2Paul echoes Ezra's directive, urging believers to offer prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for kings and all those in authority, highlighting the ongoing importance of praying for leaders in the New Testament.
Daniel 2:46-47Similar to the request in Ezra, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges Daniel's God as supreme and commands offerings and incense to be made, revealing a recognition of the 'God of heaven' and a desire for His favor, even from a pagan ruler.
Exodus 29:18The mention of 'sacrifices of sweet savor' in Ezra directly connects to the Old Testament sacrificial system, where offerings were described with this phrase, signifying their acceptability to God and His pleasure in them.
gillEzra 6:10: "That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons."
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven,.... Such as will be acceptable to him, 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…
clarkeEzra 6:10: "That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons."
And pray for the life of the king, and of his sons - Even heathens believed that offerings made in their behalf to the God of the Jews would be available. And this principle has had considerable influence in certain states where there was even a form of religion established by the law, to induce them to tolerate other forms, that the state might have the benef…
Darius isn't just asking for prayers; he's explicitly linking the pleasing sacrifices offered to the God of heaven with prayers for his own life and his sons' lives. This reveals a powerful, albeit pagan, understanding: that appeasing the supreme God and seeking His favor through worship is intertwined with securing the future of his dynasty.
King Darius, impressed by the rebuilding of the temple, issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to resume their worship. He emphasizes that their offerings and prayers are not just for their own spiritual well-being, but are also crucial for the stability and prosperity of his own reign and royal family. This decree is found within the context of the ongoing restoration of Jerusalem and its temple after the Babylonian exile, following the discovery of Cyrus's original decree.
King Darius, impressed by the rebuilding of the temple, issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to resume their worship. He emphasizes that their offerings and prayers are not just for their own spiritual well-being, but are also crucial for the stability and prosperity of his own reign and royal family. This decree is found within the context of the ongoing restoration of Jerusalem and its temple after the Babylonian exile, following the discovery of Cyrus's original decree.
"that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons." — Darius isn't just asking for prayers; he's explicitly linking the pleasing sacrifices offered to the God of heaven with prayers for his own life and his sons' lives. This reveals a powerful, albeit p…
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Last reviewed October 2026