Archives
LocationsGeographical Setting
A designated facility within the ancient Near Eastern administrative complex used for the storage and preservation of royal decrees and historical records.
What is the meaning of Archives in the Bible?
A part of the royal treasure-house where important state documents were kept. It was referred to as the 'house of the archives' in Ezra 6:1.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the function of archives clarifies how Persian imperial administration operated in Judea, demonstrating that the rebuilding of the temple was authorized by verifying existing royal decrees rather than through new divine revelation alone.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Archives in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Archives clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.