Ezra5
New King James Version
1Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.
2So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.
3At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?”
4Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building.
5But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.
6This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai sent: The governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and his companions, the Persians who were in the region beyond the River, to Darius the king.
7(They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus.) To Darius the king: All peace.
8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
9Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?”
10We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them.
11And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.
12But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and carried the people away to Babylon.
13However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.
14Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem and carried into the temple of Babylon—those King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon, and they were given to one named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.
15And he said to him, ‘Take these articles; go, carry them to the temple site that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its former site.’
16Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; but from that time even until now it has been under construction, and it is not finished.”
17Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezra 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The leaders forward the building of the temple. (1, 2). letter against the Jews. (3–17).
vv1-2
The building of the temple was stopped about fifteen years. Then they had two good ministers, who urged them to go on with the work. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people, when he raises up prophets to be helpers in the way and work of God, as guides, overseers, and rulers. In Haggai, we see what great things God does by his word, which he magnifies above all his name, and by his Spirit working with it.
vv3-17
While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
Key Words
חַגַּי: Chaggai, a Hebrew prophet
זְכַרְיָה: Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites
בַּר: a son, grandson, etc.
עִדּוֹ: Iddo (or Iddi), the name of five Israelites
נְבָא: {to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)}
עַל: {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications}
יְהוּדָאִי: a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew
דִּי: that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
יְהוּד: properly, Judah, hence, Judaea
יְרוּשָׁלֵם: {Jerusalem}
Cross References
Ezra 5Documents Haggai's prophecies which stirred up the people to resume building after a long suspension.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Zechariah the son of Iddo joins Haggai in prophesying to catalyze the rebuilding of the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Zerubbabel and Jeshua respond directly to the prophets by starting to build the house.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Later summary of how they builded and finished through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah.
Supported by JFB
Detailed inventory of the gold and silver vessels originally restored by Cyrus to Sheshbazzar.
Supported by JFB
Parallels 'the eye of their God was upon them' with the Lord's eye on those fearing Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explains how provoking God's wrath led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical record of the original decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The actual text of Cyrus's decree discovered later during the search in the archives.
Supported by JFB
The fulfillment of the search request in Darius's treasure house at Babylon.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the Apharsachites, contrasting Tatnai's inquiry with Rehum's earlier malicious opposition.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic promise that Zerubbabel's hands laid the foundation and his hands would finish it.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel confession of being 'servants of the God of heaven' to gentile authorities.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Nebuchadnezzar carrying off the sacred temple vessels to Babylon.
Supported by Matthew Poole