Prophets Renew the Work and Officials Inquire
Ezra 5:1-17
Ezr.5.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והתנבי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- חגי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נביא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזכריה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בר: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עדוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבייא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- יהודיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובירושלם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליהון: PREP+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Haggai 1:1 (verbal): Identifies Haggai as a prophet who spoke to the people in Judah (gives the same prophetic role and setting as Ezra 5:1).
- Zechariah 1:1 (verbal): Introduces Zechariah son of Iddo receiving the word of the LORD in Judah—corresponds to Ezra’s naming of 'Zechariah son of Iddo' as a prophet to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem.
- Ezra 6:14 (verbal): Returns to the same pair of prophets, stating that the elders built and prospered 'through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah,' directly linking their prophetic activity to the temple rebuilding mentioned in Ezra 5–6.
- Haggai 2:4-9 (thematic): Contains Haggai’s encouragement and promise of future glory for the temple—illustrates the content and purpose of Haggai’s prophecies that Ezra 5:1 summarizes.
- Zechariah 4:6-10 (thematic): Zechariah’s oracle assuring Zerubbabel that the work will be completed 'not by might but by my Spirit' and celebrating the builders—parallels the prophetic encouragement to those rebuilding in Ezra 5:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel upon them.
- Then the prophets Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and in Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.
Ezr.5.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- באדין: ADV
- קמו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- זרבבל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בר: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שאלתיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישוע: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בר: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יוצדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושריו: NOUN,m,pl,poss,3,m,sg
- למבנא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועמהון: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נבייא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מסעדין: VERB,ptc,act,pl,m
- להון: PREP,3,pl
Parallels
- Haggai 1:12-14 (verbal): Haggai explicitly records Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua (Jozadak) rising up to work on the house of the LORD after hearing the prophet’s word — language and action closely mirror Ezra 5:2.
- Zechariah 4:6-10 (allusion): Zechariah addresses Zerubbabel and the rebuilding work, promising divine enablement (‘not by might… but by my Spirit’) and celebrating those who draw near to the work — theological and person-specific parallel to Ezra 5:2.
- Ezra 3:2-8 (structural): Earlier phase of the returnees (including Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel) organizing altar and laying foundations for the temple; provides the immediate narrative/background context for the renewed building in Ezra 5:2.
- Ezra 6:14 (structural): Reports the completion of the house of God with Zerubbabel and Jeshua prominently involved — serves as the outcome to which Ezra 5:2’s renewed work ultimately leads.
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (thematic): Presents Joshua (Jeshua) the high priest standing before the angel and being vindicated — connects to Jeshua son of Jozadak in Ezra 5:2 and the priestly role in the temple restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak and their governors rose up to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
- At that time Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began the rebuilding of the house of God in Jerusalem, and with them were their officials and the prophets of God supporting them.
Ezr.5.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- זמנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהון: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- תתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- פחת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נהרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושתר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בוזני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וכנותהון: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,pl
- וכן: ADV
- אמרין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- שם: ADV
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- טעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ביתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- לבנא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשרנא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- לשכללה: INF,qal+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 4:1-5 (verbal): Same antagonists and offer to join in building the house; the earlier passage recounts the adversaries' approach and the Jews' refusal, providing immediate narrative background to the opposition in Ezra 5:3.
- Ezra 4:6-23 (structural): Records the enemies' subsequent strategy of writing to the Persian court to halt the work — the administrative opposition that follows the failed attempt to join the builders.
- Nehemiah 4:1-3 (thematic): Depicts hostile mockery and attempts to discourage the builders (‘What do these feeble Jews…?’), paralleling the antagonism and tactics used against Jerusalem’s rebuilding effort.
- Haggai 1:2-4 (thematic): Shows internal/external discouragement about rebuilding the LORD’s house (‘Is the time come, that ye should dwell in your cieled houses...?’) and provides prophetic impetus that contrasts with and responds to the opposition in Ezra.
- Zechariah 4:6-9 (allusion): Promises success to Zerubbabel (‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit’) — an encouragement to the leaders under hostile pressure, thematically linked to the perseverance of the builders in Ezra 5.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time the men of the province beyond the River and their officials and the rest of their neighbors came to them and said to them, "Who has given you a decree to build this house, and to restore this structure?"
- But at that same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar‑Bozenai and their companions came to them, and said to them, "Who has given you a decree to build this house and to finish these walls?"
Ezr.5.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- כנמא: PART
- אמרנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- אנון: PRON,1,pl,m
- שמהת: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- גבריא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- בנינא: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- בנין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 4:4-5 (verbal): Same adversarial action earlier in the narrative—‘the people of the land’ discouraged the people of Judah and caused them to cease building; closely parallels wording and theme of intimidation.
- Ezra 4:24 (structural): Shows the consequence of the discouragement in Ezra 5:4: the work on the temple ceased until the reign of Darius—ties the intimidation to the interruption of construction.
- Nehemiah 4:1-8 (thematic): Sanballat, Tobiah and others mock, frighten and plot against the builders, aiming to discourage and halt the work—parallel motif of local opposition and intimidation against rebuilding.
- Nehemiah 6:1-9 (thematic): Conspiracies, threats and attempts to intimidate Nehemiah and the builders (including letters and entrapment) echo the tactics of frightening and discouraging the people described in Ezra 5:4.
- Haggai 1:12-14 (allusion): Contrasts the discouragement in Ezra 5:4 by showing the prophetic encouragement that strengthens the people to resume building (Haggai’s summons leads the people to obey and work on the house).
Alternative generated candidates
- They answered them, "We are the servants of the men of the province who are rebuilding this house."
- And I said to them, "Who are the men who are building this building?"
Ezr.5.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועין: CONJ+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- אלההם: PRON,dem,pl
- הות: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- על: PREP
- שבי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- יהודיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- בטלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- טעמא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדריוש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהך: VERB,qal,perf,3,sg
- ואדין: CONJ+ADV
- יתיבון: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- נשתונא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 4:24 (structural): Same narrative frame about the interruption of the rebuilding and the chronology tied to the reign of Darius — both verses mark cessation/resumption of the work until Darius.
- Ezra 6:14 (verbal): Reports that 'the elders of the Jews built' and prospered through the prophetic ministry (Haggai and Zechariah), echoing Ezra 5:5's theme of God's providential oversight of the elders and the building work.
- Haggai 1:12–14 (allusion): Describes the people's obedience when the LORD 'stirred up the spirit' of Zerubbabel and the people in response to Haggai — explains the divine encouragement behind the elders' perseverance mentioned in Ezra 5:5.
- Zechariah 4:6–9 (thematic): God's promise that the work will succeed 'not by might but by my Spirit' and the role of Zerubbabel as God's instrument parallels the motif of divine attention and enablement for the elders' rebuilding activity.
- Psalm 33:18 (verbal): Uses the same imagery — 'the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him' — paralleling Ezra 5:5's statement that the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, emphasizing divine watchful care.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the eye of their God was upon the governors of the Jews, and they were not hindered until the reign of Darius; and now they are again at work on this matter.
- Yet the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not cease until a report came to Darius; then they rested from that work.
Ezr.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פרשגן: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- אגרתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תתני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פחת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נהרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושתר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בוזני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכנותה: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אפרסכיא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נהרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- דריוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 4:7-16 (verbal): A series of official Aramaic letters from local governors and officials to the Persian king complaining about the rebuilding—parallels Ezra 5:6’s depiction of governors sending a report/letter to the king.
- Ezra 5:7-17 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the contents of the report/letter are presented and King Darius is asked to investigate—directly connected to the act of sending the letter in 5:6.
- Ezra 4:23 (thematic): Reports and complaints to the Persian court previously halted the work on the temple until the reign of Darius; this verse thematically links the effect of such communications to royal intervention (context for the letter sent in 5:6).
- Ezra 6:1-12 (structural): Outcome of the royal inquiry triggered by the letter: archival search and a royal decree from Darius allowing and supporting the temple rebuilding—shows the procedural/political consequences of officials’ letters to the king.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the men of the province beyond the River wrote a letter to Darius king of Persia and sent it.
- Now the copy of the letter which Tattenai and Shethar‑Bozenai and their companions the Arabs, the Elamites, and the rest of their associates who were beyond the River sent to Darius the king.
Ezr.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פתגמא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- עלוהי: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וכדנה: CONJ+ADV
- כתיב: VERB,peal,ptc,3,m,sg
- בגוה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לדריוש: PREP+PN,m,sg
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלמא: ADJ,m,sg
- כלא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 4:7 (verbal): Uses the same idiom about sending a 'letter' written in Aramaic/Persian to the king—both verses report official correspondence transmitted to a Persian monarch.
- Ezra 4:11 (quotation): Contains the text of an official letter sent to the Persian king protesting Jerusalem's rebuilding; parallels 5:7 in genre and in the practice of presenting written petitions to the king.
- Ezra 5:8 (quotation): Immediately continues the Aramaic/Persian letter introduced in 5:7—the content of the petition sent to Darius is given in the following verses.
- Ezra 6:2 (thematic): Describes searching the royal archives ('in the house of the rolls') and finding a decree in the Persian records—parallels 5:7's concern with written royal correspondence and documentary proof in the Persian administrative system.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this was the writing of the letter which they sent to him: it was written thus—"To King Darius, all peace."
- They sent the letter by their messengers and this is written therein: "To Darius the king, peace.
Ezr.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ידיע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- למלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אזלנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- ליהוד: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- מדינתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רבא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- מתבנא: VERB,ptc,pass,3,m,sg
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גלל: ADJ,m,sg
- ואע: CONJ
- מתשם: VERB,ptc,pass,3,m,sg
- בכתליא: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,def
- ועבידתא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- דך: ADJ,m,sg
- אספרנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- מתעבדא: VERB,ptc,pass,3,c,sg
- ומצלח: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בידהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 4:17-22 (structural): Earlier official correspondence to the Persian court accusing the Jews and reporting the building, which parallels 5:8's report to the king about the temple work and provides the background for the inquiry.
- Ezra 6:1-12 (quotation): Records the royal investigation and Darius' decree (including citation of Cyrus' earlier order) that vindicates the builders and permits the work to continue — the resolution to the inquiry referred to in 5:8.
- Haggai 2:9 (thematic): Promises future glory and blessing on the rebuilt temple ('the latter glory...shall be greater'), thematically matching 5:8's note that the work prospers in their hands.
- Zechariah 4:6-9 (verbal): Assures that Zerubbabel's building will succeed ('Not by might...but by my Spirit'; 'the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation'), paralleling 5:8's emphasis on the temple work prospering under divine favor.
- 1 Kings 6:1-3 (allusion): Describes Solomon's construction of the house of the Lord; connects to the claim in Ezra that the present structure is the house built by King Solomon, invoked in the legal/official reports.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the great house of God which is being built with large stones and fitted timbers; and the work is proceeding and prospering in the hands of the Jews and the workmen.
- Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, and behold the men were rebuilding the rebellious and wicked house; the foundations were being laid and the walls were rising up— and this work was advancing and prospering in their hands.
Ezr.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- שאלנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- לשביא: VERB,qal,inf
- אלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- כנמא: PART
- אמרנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- שם: ADV
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- טעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ביתא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- למבניה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,_,sg
- ואשרנא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- לשכללה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,_,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 4:12-16 (quotation): Earlier opponents sent a written complaint to the king charging that the Jews rebuilt the city and its walls without royal authorization—same line of inquiry about who gave authority to build the house/wall.
- Ezra 1:1-4 (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23) (thematic): Cyrus’s decree authorizing the temple reconstruction supplies the kind of official permission that is being demanded in the question 'Who gave you a decree to build this house?'
- Nehemiah 2:7-9 (thematic): Nehemiah obtains written authorizations from the king to rebuild and secure timber—a parallel instance where official permits are sought and cited for construction work in Judah.
- Ezra 5:6-17 (structural): The surrounding passage contains Tattenai’s inquiry and his letter to Darius (including the same questions and the subsequent royal investigation), showing this verse as part of the official interrogation and record-search motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then we questioned those elders and said to them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this structure?"
- Then we asked those elders and said to them, "Who commanded you to build this house and to finish these walls?"
Ezr.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואף: CONJ+ADV
- שמהתהם: ADV
- שאלנא: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להודעותך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons+PRON,2,ms
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נכתב: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- גבריא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בראשיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 2:1-2 (quotation): Ezra 2 contains the list of those who returned and names of the heads of their fathers' houses—the same material as the 'roll' of names cited in Ezra 5:10 and later repeated.
- Nehemiah 7:6-7 (quotation): Nehemiah 7 largely reproduces Ezra 2's list of returnees and household heads; parallels Ezra 5:10 in purpose and formula (a written listing of names).
- 1 Chronicles 9:1-2, 9:3-34 (thematic): Chronicles preserves postexilic/genealogical lists and the households/heads of Jerusalem—themewise parallel to the documentary record of names mentioned in Ezra 5:10.
- Ezra 6:1 (verbal): Speaks of a 'record' found in the house of the records concerning earlier decrees and permissions—parallels Ezra 5:10's appeal to a written roll/record as authoritative evidence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And we also asked them to give us the names of the men who were their leaders, the names written over their heads.
- We also asked their names in order to write them down, that we might report them to you who might investigate the matter.
Ezr.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכנמא: CONJ
- פתגמא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- התיבונא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לממר: PREP
- אנחנא: PRON,1,pl
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עבדוהי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3m
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וארעא: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובנין: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביתא: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- מקדמת: ADJ,f,sg
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- שנין: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שגיאן: ADJ,m,pl
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- בנהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+3f
- ושכללה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+3f
Parallels
- Ezra 1:2 (verbal): Invokes the same title 'the God of heaven' and frames the rebuilding of the temple as divinely sanctioned—similar language of servants/authority for the work.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (quotation): Contains the Cyrus decree (also preserved in Ezra) authorizing the temple's rebuilding; the wording about the God of heaven and rebuilding the house parallels Ezra's statement about the earlier foundation and royal involvement.
- Ezra 3:10-11 (structural): Earlier Ezra passage describing the laying of the temple's foundation and the communal worship at that event; structurally linked as part of the narrative about rebuilding what had been founded long ago.
- Haggai 2:3 (thematic): Questions who saw the former temple's glory and acknowledges the difference between past and present—connects to Ezra's reference to the house that 'was built many years ago' and the present rebuilding.
- 1 Kings 6:38 (thematic): Describes the completion of Solomon's original temple—directly parallels Ezra's claim that the house was built by the kings of Israel and had been finished in former times.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus they answered us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago; a house which long ago a great prince of Israel built and finished."
- They answered and said to us, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth; and the house that was built many years ago and that a great prince of Israel made and finished was being rebuilt by us.
Ezr.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- להן: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
- מן: PREP
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרגזו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אבהתנא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאלה: PREP+DEM,pl
- שמיא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,sg
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כסדאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וביתה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cstr+PRSFX,3,f,sg
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- סתרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגלי: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לבבל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:8-11 (verbal): Reports Nebuchadnezzar's burning of the house of the LORD and the deportation of the people—closely parallels Ezra's statement that God gave them into Nebuchadnezzar's hand who destroyed the house and carried them to Babylon.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 (verbal): Explicitly attributes the destruction of the temple and the exile to God's wrath and Nebuchadnezzar's action; language and theological explanation closely match Ezra 5:12.
- Jeremiah 52:12-15 (verbal): A parallel historical account (to 2 Kings) recounting the burning of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar and the exile—parallels Ezra's factual claim and details about the destruction and deportation.
- Psalm 78:59-62 (thematic): Describes God's anger leading to the people's humiliation and deliverance into the hand of enemies; thematically echoes Ezra 5:12's interpretation that divine wrath resulted in destruction and exile.
Alternative generated candidates
- But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who destroyed this house and carried the people away to Babylon.
- But because our fathers had displeased the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who destroyed this house and carried the people away to Babylon.
Ezr.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ברם: CONJ
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- חדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לכורש: PREP
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כורש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- טעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- לבנא: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Ezra 1:1-4 (quotation): Earliest presentation of Cyrus’s decree permitting the exiles to return and rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem—the same decree to which Ezra 5:13 refers.
- Ezra 6:3-5 (quotation): Contains the exact text of Cyrus’s decree as found in the royal archives, reaffirming the permission to rebuild the temple mentioned in Ezra 5:13.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (quotation): A parallel account in Chronicles that names Cyrus and records his proclamation allowing the rebuilding of the temple and the return of the exiles, closely matching Ezra’s reference.
- Isaiah 44:28 (allusion): Prophecy naming Cyrus and predicting that he would say to Jerusalem and the temple that they should be rebuilt—serves as the prophetic backdrop for Cyrus’s decree cited in Ezra 5:13.
- Isaiah 45:13 (allusion): Speaks of God raising up Cyrus to build his city and to release the captives—theological rationale for Cyrus’s authorization to restore Jerusalem and the temple referenced in Ezra 5:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus made a decree to rebuild the house of God in its place.
- However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt.
Ezr.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואף: CONJ+ADV
- מאניא: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דהבה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכספא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבוכדנצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנפק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- היכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיבל: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להיכלא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנפק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כורש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- היכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהיבו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לששבצר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמה: ADV
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פחה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמה: ADV
Parallels
- Ezra 1:7-11 (quotation): Directly parallels/verbatim repeats the account that Cyrus (and his officials) restored the temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar and gave them to Sheshbazzar to bring to Jerusalem.
- 2 Kings 25:13-17 (verbal): Gives the original inventory of the temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar removed to Babylon—the same booty later restored, forming the factual basis for Ezra’s statement.
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (verbal): Largely parallels 2 Kings 25’s list of temple articles taken to Babylon, corroborating the removal of the sacred vessels mentioned in Ezra 5:14.
- 2 Chronicles 36:18-23 (thematic): Summarizes the exile, the carrying off of temple goods to Babylon, and Cyrus’s decree permitting return and restoration—provides the broader theological and historical framework behind Ezra’s note about the vessels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover the vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought to the temple of Babylon, Cyrus king took them out from the temple of Babylon and gave them to Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor.
- Also the silver and the gold that were taken from the house of God which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple of Babylon, Cyrus king took from the temple of Babylon and gave to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed to be governor;
Ezr.5.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- מאניא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אזל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- המו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהיכלא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתבנא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- אתרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 3:8-11 (structural): Describes the earlier stage of rebuilding the altar and laying the temple foundation by the priests and people — a parallel episode of temple reconstruction and communal worship activity to which Ezra 5:15 relates.
- Haggai 1:1-15 (allusion): Haggai’s prophetic exhortation to resume building the house of the LORD is the prophetic stimulus for the reconstruction narrated in Ezra 5 and is explicitly linked elsewhere in the chapter to the work described in v.15.
- Zechariah 4:6-9 (thematic): Zechariah’s assurance that the temple work will succeed ‘not by might but by my Spirit’ resonates with the prophetic encouragement and divine authorization underpinning the rebuilding movement reflected in Ezra 5:15.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (cf. Ezra 1:1-4) (verbal): The royal decree of Cyrus permitting the return and the rebuilding of the temple provides the legal and historical framework for the reconstruction project that Ezra 5:15 describes; Ezra 1 and 2 Chronicles present the same policy background.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to him, "Take these and go up to the temple that is in Jerusalem and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site."
- and he said to him, "Take these, and go, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site."
Ezr.5.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדין: ADV
- ששבצר: NUM,card,m,sg
- דך: ADJ,m,sg
- אתא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשיא: VERB,qal,perf,3,mp
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- אדין: ADV
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- כען: ADV
- מתבנא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 4:24 (structural): Same narrative context: earlier work on the house of God was halted and remained stopped until the reign of Darius, explaining why the temple had been unfinished.
- Ezra 5:1-2 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in which Haggai and Zechariah prophesy and encourage the people to resume building, accounting for the renewed activity after a long delay.
- Haggai 1:2-4 (thematic): Prophetic rebuke that the Lord’s house lies in ruins while people live in finished houses—explains the neglect and prolonged unfinished state of the temple.
- Haggai 2:3-9 (thematic): Encouragement about the temple’s future glory and exhortation to be strong and continue the work despite its present lowly/unfinished condition.
- Zechariah 4:6-9 (allusion): Promise that Zerubbabel will complete the work 'not by might nor by power' and that obstacles will be leveled—assurance that the temple’s long-unfinished state will be overcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Sheshbazzar went up and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem; from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not been completed.
- Then Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem; from that time until now it has been in building and has not yet been finished.
Ezr.5.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכען: CONJ+ADV
- הן: PART
- על: PREP
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתבקר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- גנזיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמה: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבבל: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- הן: PART
- איתי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- די: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- כורש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- טעם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למבנא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דך: ADJ,m,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורעות: CONJ+ADJ,f,pl,abs
- מלכא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- דנה: DEM,f,sg
- ישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עלינא: PREP,1,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 1:1-4 (verbal): Records Cyrus's decree permitting the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the house of God—the same royal authorization to which Ezra 5:17 refers.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (quotation): A parallel account in Chronicles that reproduces Cyrus's edict to rebuild the temple and return the exiles and temple vessels; closely mirrors the material cited in Ezra.
- Ezra 6:3-5 (verbal): Later in the narrative the actual document found at Achmetha is quoted and its provisions (searching the king's treasury, the decree to build the temple) are spelled out, repeating details alluded to in Ezra 5:17.
- Isaiah 44:28 (allusion): The prophetic naming of Cyrus as the one who will 'say to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,”'—a prophecy Ezra presents as fulfilled by the king's decree to rebuild the temple.
- Isaiah 45:13 (allusion): Speaks of God raising up Cyrus to build Jerusalem and release the exiles; thematically connected to Ezra's citation of Cyrus's decree enabling the restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let there be a search in the royal treasury house in Babylon whether it is so that Cyrus king made a decree concerning this matter; and let the king send us his decision concerning it.
- Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the royal archives in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree of Cyrus king existed for this thing; and let the king send us his decision concerning this matter."
Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel.
At that time Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak and their officers began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were helping them.
Then Tattenai, governor beyond the River, and Shethar‑bozenai and their associates came to them and said to them, "Who gave you a commission to build this house and to finish these walls?" So we told them the names of the men who were building this house. But the eye of their God watched over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until the reign of Darius; and the elders of the Jews were established in their work. Now the copy of the letter which they sent was written by the hand of the governor beyond the River and his deputies and treasurers to King Darius of Persia.
They sent a message and this is what was written in it: "To King Darius, all peace.
Let it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God there; and it is being built with large stones, and timber is being fitted into the walls, and the work is prospering in their hands."
Then we asked them, "Who gave you a writ to build this house and to finish this wall?" And furthermore we asked them to produce the names of the men who were at their head, that we might make a report to you.
They answered us thus: "We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago; and a great king of Israel built and established it." But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to anger, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who destroyed this house and carried the people away to Babylon.
However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, Cyrus issued a decree regarding the house of God at Jerusalem, to rebuild it.
Also the silver and gold vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple at Jerusalem and brought to the temple of Babylon,
Cyrus the king brought out of the temple of Babylon and deposited them in the treasury of the royal palace; and he said to those appointed there, "Let the man go up who among you is of his people, and let him rebuild the house of God in its place."
Then Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem; and from that time until now it has been being built, and it is not finished. Now therefore let it be searched in the house of the royal archives in Babylon—whether there is a record that Cyrus the king issued a decree to rebuild this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send us his decision concerning this matter."