Original Word: דֵּךְ
Part of Speech: demonstrative pronoun masculine; feminine
Transliteration: dek
Pronunciation: dek
Phonetic Spelling: (dake)
KJV: the same, this
NASB: this
Word Origin: [prolonged from H166 (אָהַל - has brightness)8]
1. this
(Aramaic) or dak (Aramaic) {dawk}; prolonged from da'; this -- the same, this.
see HEBREW da'
דֵּךְ designates a specific commercial tariff or road-toll assessed by the Persian administration. Within Ezra 4–6 it always appears in a fixed sequence with מִנְדָּה "tribute" and בְּלוֹ "custom," forming a three-fold summary of taxes (Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:15-16, 19, 21; Ezra 5:8, 17; Ezra 6:8, 12). The term is never used outside these Aramaic sections, underscoring its technical nature and its confinement to the post-exilic era.
Historical Setting in Ezra
The word surfaces in diplomatic correspondence between regional officials and the Persian throne:
• Ezra 4:13 records the alarmist claim that if Jerusalem were rebuilt, the Jews would withhold "tribute, custom, or toll."
• Ezra 4:19 reveals Artaxerxes’ discovery that "long ago" Jerusalem had indeed rebelled and withheld these revenues.
• In Ezra 5:8–17 the governor Tattenai reports that the house of God is being rebuilt, yet graciously refrains from accusing the builders of tax evasion.
• Ezra 6:7–12 contains Darius’ decree to supply the temple project from the royal treasury, offsetting any potential loss of דֵּךְ by imperial subsidy.
These texts trace a progression: (1) accusation of tax loss, (2) royal investigation, (3) vindication of the Jews, and (4) a royal command that paradoxically channels imperial funds to the very work once suspected of draining revenue.
Fiscal Policies under Persian Rule
The three taxes correspond to distinct streams of income:
• מִנְדָּה — compulsory tribute on subject peoples.
• בְּלוֹ — duty on merchandise and exports.
• דֵּךְ — tolls on internal transit (city gates, roads, bridges).
By grouping them together, Ezra underlines the full spectrum of imperial taxation. The potential forfeiture of דֵּךְ threatened the economic interest of the crown, a leverage point exploited by Jerusalem’s adversaries.
Theological Themes
Sovereignty of God over Kings and Economies
"Then King Darius issued a decree, and they searched the archives..." (Ezra 6:1). The Lord turns taxation policy—symbolized by דֵּךְ—into an instrument for preserving His covenant people. The same empire that fears lost revenue ultimately bankrolls the temple (Ezra 6:8).
Freedom and Worship
Where detractors saw withheld tolls, God saw liberated worshipers. The cessation of דֵּךְ for temple personnel (Ezra 7:24, employing the same triad in Hebrew narrative) anticipates Christ’s promise of a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light.
Integrity before Authorities
Although falsely accused, the returned exiles remain transparent. Tattenai’s impartial report (Ezra 5:8) models the Christian duty to "keep your conduct honorable among the Gentiles" (1 Peter 2:12). Payment of rightful dues and respectful dialogue with secular powers honor God’s order (Romans 13:1-7).
Ministry Significance Today
Stewardship and Government
Churches often navigate taxation issues—property exemptions, charitable status, import duties on humanitarian goods. Ezra’s experience counsels prayerful engagement, legal compliance, and trust that God can move governments to favor His work.
Mission Funding
The Persian treasury funding the temple foreshadows the gospel’s advance "at no cost" to the nations (Revelation 21:24-26). Ministries may legitimately receive state grants or tax relief without compromising allegiance to Christ, provided purpose and integrity remain clear.
Opposition and Opportunity
Accusations about money frequently mask deeper spiritual hostility. Pastors and leaders should discern motives behind financial objections, respond with factual clarity, and rely on God to vindicate. Like דֵּךְ, financial controversies can become turning points where the Lord displays His providence.
Related Concepts
Mindah (tribute), Belo (custom), Taxation in Israelite Law (Exodus 30:11-16), Jesus and the Temple Tax (Matthew 17:24-27), Submission to Authorities (Romans 13:1-7).
Ezra 4:15
HEB: דִּי֩ קִרְיְתָ֨א דָ֜ךְ קִרְיָ֣א מָֽרָדָ֗א
KJV: and know that this city
INT: so city this city rebellious
Ezra 4:15
HEB: דְּנָ֔ה קִרְיְתָ֥א דָ֖ךְ הָֽחָרְבַֽת׃
KJV: which cause was this city
INT: which city was this was laid
Ezra 4:16
HEB: הֵ֣ן קִרְיְתָ֥א דָךְ֙ תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה
KJV: the king that, if this city be builded
INT: if city this is rebuilt and the walls
Ezra 4:19
HEB: דִּ֚י קִרְיְתָ֣א דָ֔ךְ מִן־ יוֹמָת֙
KJV: hath been made, and it is found that this city
INT: that city this of days
Ezra 4:21
HEB: אִלֵּ֑ךְ וְקִרְיְתָ֥א דָךְ֙ לָ֣א תִתְבְּנֵ֔א
NAS: stop [work], that this city
KJV: to cease, and that this city
INT: these city this be not may not be rebuilt
Ezra 5:8
HEB: בְּכֻתְלַיָּ֑א וַעֲבִ֥ידְתָּא דָ֛ךְ אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא מִתְעַבְדָ֖א
NAS: in the walls; and this work
KJV: in the walls, and this work
INT: the walls work and this great is going
Ezra 5:16
HEB: אֱדַ֙יִן֙ שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר דֵּ֔ךְ אֲתָ֗א יְהַ֧ב
KJV: came the same Sheshbazzar,
INT: Then Sheshbazzar the same came laid
Ezra 5:17
HEB: בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם וּרְע֥וּת
NAS: Cyrus to rebuild this house of God
KJV: the king to build this house of God
INT: house of God this Jerusalem his pleasure
Ezra 6:7
HEB: בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֣א דֵ֑ךְ פַּחַ֤ת יְהוּדָיֵא֙
NAS: Leave this work on the house
KJV: Let the work of this house of God
INT: the house of God this the governor of the Jews
Ezra 6:7
HEB: בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ יִבְנ֥וֹן עַל־
NAS: of the Jews rebuild this house of God
KJV: of the Jews build this house of God
INT: house of God this rebuild in
Ezra 6:8
HEB: בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֣א דֵ֑ךְ וּמִנִּכְסֵ֣י מַלְכָּ֗א
NAS: in the rebuilding of this house
KJV: for the building of this house
INT: house of God of this treasury the royal
Ezra 6:12
HEB: בֵּית־ אֱלָהָ֥א דֵ֖ךְ דִּ֣י בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
NAS: [it], so as to destroy this house
KJV: [and] to destroy this house
INT: house of God this who Jerusalem
13 Occurrences
Strong's Hebrew 1791
13 Occurrences
ḏāḵ — 4 Occ.
dêḵ — 6 Occ.
ḏāḵ — 3 Occ.