Ezr 5:8 | TNotes | STEP | 5:8 the great God: This title was a Persian way of referring to an important high deity; it does not indicate that the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God. • Following the pattern of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:36 ), after every three rows of prepared stones , a layer of timber was laid in its walls (see Ezra 6:4 ) to reduce potential damage from earthquakes.

b1 Kgs 6:36►

cEzra 6:4►

‏ Ezra 5:8

5:8 ^a the great God: This title was a Persian way of referring to an important high deity; it does not indicate that the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God.

• Following the pattern of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:36 ^b), after every three rows of prepared stones, a layer of timber was laid in its walls (see Ezra 6:4 ^c) to reduce potential damage from earthquakes.