Definition: Then ceased the work of the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 4:24. It’s a really important part of understanding how things were going in ancient Jerusalem during a time of upheaval. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the work of God – or his people – was stopping. “Ezra 4”: This refers to a period of time in Jerusalem around 46 before the reign of King Darius. Ezra was a Jewish priest who led a group of people back to following the laws and practices of the Old Testament. “The work of the house of God…” – This is a very poetic way of saying “the community of Israel” - that’s the Jewish people, as they were then organized. “…which [is] at Jerusalem.” - This tells us it was happening in Jerusalem . “Then ceased… unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” – This is the key part. “Ceased” means stopped. “To the second year of the reign of Darius…” means this stopping happened for a period of two years, starting with the reign of King Darius in Persia (modern-day Iran). So, what does it mean? It means that after a time when the Jewish community was actively building and practicing their faith, especially according to the laws of Moses, the work of God – or his people – stopped. It’s like a pause in something important. Why is this significant? This event is often seen as a turning point. It suggests that there were problems within the community - perhaps some people weren't following the rules, or there was a lack of focus. Darius, the king of Persia, was powerful and had influence over the region, so this pause in activity might have been a sign that things were becoming difficult for the Jewish community. In short: The work of God in Jerusalem stopped during a two-year period as a result of a leadership issue within the community. Do you want me to explain anything else about this verse, or perhaps delve into its context or significance?