Ezra 5

Zerubbabel and Jesua, being encouraged by the Prophets Haggai and Zacharja, begin again to build the Temple, vers.1,2. Whereof the kings governor asketh them reason, which they give unto him, and he writteth unto the king about it, desiring that the king would be pleased to cause the truth of the matter to be searched out, and signify his will and pleasure touching the same, vers.3, &c.

1. Now Haggai the Prophet, and Zacharia the son of Iddo, [That his sons son, or grandchild: For he was the son of Berechia, who was the son of Iddo, Zach.1.1.] Prophets, prophesied unto the Jews, [in the second year of King Darius, See Hag.1.1. Zac.1.1.] that were in Juda and at Jerusalem: In the name [That is, by the command] of the God of Israel (did they prophesy) unto them. [commanding them to re-assume the building of the Temple.]

2. Then rose up Zerubbabel of the son of Sealthiel, and Jesua the son of Josadak, [Who had carried up the captives out of Babel. See above chap.2.2. and 3.2. and 4.2,3.] and began to build the house of God, who (dwelleth) at Jerusalem; and with them the Prophets of God that underpropped them. [Strengthening the zealous by the word of the Lord, and reproving the slow and backward ones. See Hag. Chap.1. and 2. And Zach.1.16, etc.]

3. At that time came unto them Thathnai the Deputy on this side the River, and Sthar-Boznai, [Chald. Schether-Boznai] and their company, and said thus unto them; who hath given you command to build this house, and to finish this wall?

4. Then said we thus unto them: [As is related below vers.11,etc.] (And) what were the names of the men that builded this building [because they had likewise asked this question, below vers.10. Others take these words thus: (Moreover they said) what are the names of the men that have built this building?]

5. But the eye of their God was upon the Eldest of the Jew, [That is, God watched over them, and took care for them] that they hindered them not, until the matter came to Darius, and then they brought a letter back concerning the same.

6. The copy of the letter that Thathnai the Deputy on this side of the River, with Sthar-Boznai and his company, the Aphersechaites that were on this side of this River, sent unto King Darius.

7. They sent a relation unto him: And therein was written thus: unto king Darius be all peace.

8. Be it known unto the king, that we went into the country of Juda, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, [Chald. Stone of turning, or, rolling; that is, which could not be carried, but must be rolled to and fro by Engines. Otherw. Marble-stone] and woods is laid in the walls: [intimating that the work was already brought to that pass, that the beams and raster were laid for floorings] and that work is done speedily, and goeth on prosperously through their hands.

9. Then asked we those Eldest, (and) said thus unto them: Who hath given you a command to build this house, and to finish this wall?

10. Furthermore, we asked of them their names also, to certify them unto thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the heads among them.

11. And they returned us this kind of answer, saying; We are the servant of the God of heaven and Earth, and build the house that was builded many years ago; For a great king of Israel [Namely, Salomon] had built, and finished it.

12. But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, be delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezer the king of Babel, the Chaldean; who destroyed this house, and carried the people away to Babel. [See 2 Chron.36.16,17, etc.]

13. But in the first year of Cores the king of Babel, king Cores gave command to build this house of God.[See 2 Chron.36.22, etc. Ezra 1:1. etc.]

14. Yea the vessels of the house of God, that were of gold and silver, which Nebuchadnezer had taken away out of the Temple that was at Jerusalem, and brought them into the Temple of Babel, those did king Cores fetch forth out of the Temple of Babel, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sesbazar, [See above chap.1.on vers.8.] whom he [To wit, Cores or Cyrus] had made Deputy.

15. And he said unto him; take these vessels, go, carry them down into the Temple which is at Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded upon its place.

16. Then came the same Sesbazar: He laid [Chald. Gave] the Foundations of the house of God, who (dwelleth) at Jerusalem: [or which (meaning the Temple) is at Jerusalem] and there hath been built (on it) from that time until now, but (it is) not (yet) finished.

17. Now then if it seem good to the king, [Chald (be) good with the king; that is, if the King find it good, or if it be acceptable unto him] let there be search made in the kings treasure-house [that is, in the Kings Chancery, or court of Records, where all writings worthy to be remembered and recorded, were laid up and kept. So chap.6.1.] which is there at Babel, whether it be (so) that a command was given by king Cores, to build this house of God at Jerusalem: And let them send the kings pleasure to us concerning this (matter). [or, let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this (matter). Chald. Let him send the kings pleasure, (that is, let the king send his pleasure) to us concerning this (matter)]