עזרא, פרק ו׳, פסוק ח׳

A major shift in royal policy transforms the rebuilding of the Temple from a merely tolerated project into a state-sponsored priority. The King of Persia issues a firm, direct decree to his officials, demanding far more than simple permission for the Jews to build. He insists on their active assistance and continuous financial support. This represents a significant escalation in the royal approach [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. While the earlier decree of Cyrus simply required local officials to stand down and not interfere with the construction, the current order forces them to actively assist the Jewish elders in building the House of God.

To guarantee the project's success, the king secures a reliable funding source. The construction expenses are to be paid directly from the royal treasury, specifically drawn from the taxes and land tolls collected locally in the region [רש״י, רס״ג, שטיינזלץ]. There is a practical rationale behind this shift in financial strategy [מלבי״ם]. In the past, funding was promised from the distant royal palace, which inevitably led to bureaucratic delays. By allocating local tax revenues instead, the king ensures that the money is immediately accessible.

The royal instruction emphasizes that these funds must be handed over to the builders with absolute speed and precision, without a moment of delay [רש״י, רס״ג, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. The ultimate goal of this rapid, local cash flow is to maintain unbroken momentum on the construction site. By guaranteeing a steady stream of resources, the king ensures that the laborers will never be forced to pause their work or sit idle due to financial shortages [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].