Ezra 5
Ezra 5 details the renewal of the rebuilding efforts for the temple of God in Jerusalem after they were halted during the reign of King Artaxerxes. Prophets Haggai and Zechariah inspire the leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua to resume the construction, despite opposition. This chapter also highlights the response of the local Persian officials and their inquiry to King Darius regarding whether the Jews had authorization to rebuild the temple.
Ezra 5:1 (NKJV)
1 Then 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.
Haggai and Zechariah, two prophets of God, encouraged the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem to restart the building of the temple. These two men played a crucial role in re-energizing the people to fulfill God’s purpose for them. They reminded the Jews that it was God Himself who had called them to this work, and therefore, He was ultimately in control of the situation, not their adversaries.
Ezra 5:2 (NKJV)
2 So 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.
Zerubbabel, the political leader, and Jeshua, the high priest, took action following the encouragement of the prophets. They began to rebuild the temple with the support of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. This shows the unity between the spiritual and political leaders of Israel, all working together in obedience to God’s command. It was not just physical labor; it was also a spiritual restoration with divine guidance.
Ezra 5:3-5 (NKJV)
3 At 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?”
4 Then, accordingly, we told them the names of the men who were constructing this building.
5 But 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.
The local officials, led by Tattenai, the governor of the region, came to question the Jews about their authority to rebuild the temple. Although they asked for the names of those responsible for the construction, the Jews did not stop working. The phrase "the eye of their God was upon the elders" signifies God’s protection over the project, ensuring that the officials could not force them to stop until King Darius was consulted. This divine oversight gave the Jews confidence to continue the work.
Ezra 5:6-7 (NKJV)
6 This 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.
Tattenai and his associates sent a formal letter to King Darius, addressing their concerns about the temple reconstruction. They sought clarification on whether the Jews were acting under legitimate authority. This letter was written in a respectful manner, seeking peace and guidance from the king without causing immediate conflict or forcing the Jews to stop their work.
Ezra 5:8 (NKJV)
8 Let 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.
In the letter, Tattenai describes the progress of the temple construction to King Darius. He notes the use of heavy stones and timber, indicating the significant resources being put into the rebuilding. He also acknowledges that the work was progressing well and being carried out diligently. This description shows that the Jews were serious about completing the temple, putting in great effort and skill to ensure its success.
Ezra 5:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?”
10 We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them.
Tattenai reports that they questioned the Jewish leaders about who gave them the authority to build the temple. They also gathered the names of the individuals leading the project so they could report accurately to King Darius. This shows the officials' intent to follow proper channels and ensure that everything was documented and sent to the king for review.
Ezra 5:11 (NKJV)
11 And 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.”
The Jews responded to Tattenai by affirming that they were servants of the God of heaven and earth, building the temple that had been originally constructed by King Solomon. They did not merely claim human authority but based their right to build on their relationship with God. By recalling the temple’s history, they reminded the officials of its significance, not just to the Jews, but also as part of their cultural heritage.
Ezra 5:12 (NKJV)
12 But 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.
The Jews acknowledged the reason for the destruction of the original temple: their ancestors had sinned and provoked God’s anger, leading to their exile and the temple’s destruction by King Nebuchadnezzar. This admission highlights their understanding of God’s justice, recognizing that their suffering was a result of disobedience. It also sets the stage for their current efforts to restore the temple as a sign of repentance and renewal.
Ezra 5:13 (NKJV)
13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.
They continued their explanation by citing the decree of King Cyrus, which allowed them to rebuild the temple. This decree was significant because it came from the highest authority in the land, and they were now working under this royal permission. It reminds Tattenai that the project was not unauthorized, but rather had the explicit blessing of a previous Persian king.
Ezra 5:14 (NKJV)
14 Also, 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.
The Jews also referenced how King Cyrus restored the temple’s sacred items that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Cyrus had returned these to Sheshbazzar, who was appointed as governor. This act of restoration further confirmed that their work was sanctioned by Persian authorities. The mention of Sheshbazzar connects the rebuilding efforts to the earlier phase of the restoration under Cyrus.
Ezra 5:15 (NKJV)
15 And 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.”
Cyrus’s instruction to Sheshbazzar was clear: take the restored items and begin rebuilding the temple on its original site. This underscores that the temple was to be rebuilt in the same location, emphasizing continuity and the restoration of God’s dwelling place among His people. It also highlights the involvement of a Persian king in this sacred mission, legitimizing the efforts of the Jews.
Ezra 5:16 (NKJV)
16 Then 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.
The Jews explain that Sheshbazzar, under Cyrus’s authority, laid the foundation of the temple. However, construction had been slow and was not yet complete. This highlights the interruptions and challenges they faced in finishing the temple, and it provides context for why the building had been halted. Nonetheless, they emphasize that their work was still in line with the decree of Cyrus.
Ezra 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Now 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.
The letter concludes with a request to King Darius to search the archives to verify the decree of Cyrus. This demonstrates the Jews’ confidence that they were acting legally under the authority of a previous Persian king. It also reflects their willingness to submit to Darius’s judgment, trusting that a fair investigation would confirm their right to continue rebuilding the temple.