Ezra 5

Ezra · Chapter 5

Ezra 5:1-2

1Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.2Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.3At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?4Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?5But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.6The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:7They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.8Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?10We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.12But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;15And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.17Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
1Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.Later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the God of Israel prophesied they unto them.
2Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Where

Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.

Original Aramaic words

This passage was written in Aramaic, the common language of the Babylonian and Persian empires, which the Jews of the exile also spoke. It uses the same alphabet as Hebrew.

Verse 1

EnglishAramaicSay itStrong'sMeaning
and he prophesiedוְהִתְנַבִּ֞יve-hit-na-BIH5013
to prophesy

נְבָא (ne.va) v (CLBL) (Ithpael) to prophesy Aramaic of na.va (נָבָא "to prophesy" H5012)

Haggaiחַגַּ֣יcha-GAIH2292B
Haggai

חַגַּי (chag.gay) A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.5.1 Aramaic of chag.gay (חַגַּי "Haggai" H2292A) § Haggai = "festive" 10th in order of the minor prophets; first prophet to prophecy after the captivity (in Aramaic writings)

prophet theנְבִיָּ֗אne-vi-'ah'H5029
prophet

נְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030)

and Zechariahוּזְכַרְיָ֤הu-ze-khar-YAHH2148B
Zechariah

זְכַרְיָהוּ (ze.khar.yah) A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.5.1; son of: Berechiah (H1296L) Aramaic of ze.khar.yah (זְכַרְיָה "Zechariah" H2148v) § Zechariah = "Jehovah remembers" 11th in order of the minor prophets; a priest, son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, who, along with Haggai, directed the rebuilding of the temple in the days of Zerubbabel

[the] son ofבַר־var-H1247J
son

בַּר (bar) son Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

Iddoעִדּוֹא֙'i-dO'H5714J
Iddo

עִדּוֹ (id.do) A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.5.1; father of: Berechiah (H1296L) § Iddo = "His witness" 1) father of Abinadab, an officer of Solomon 2) grandfather of the prophet Zechariah 3) a Gershonite Levite, son of Joah 4) a priest in the time of Nehemiah 5) a seer in the time of king Jeroboam of the northern kingdom of Israel 6) son of Zechariah, ruler of the tribe of Manasseh in the time of David 7) a chief of the temple slaves who assembled at Casiphia at the time of the 2nd caravan from Babylon

prophets theנְבִיַּיָּ֔אne-vi-'ai-ya'H5029
prophet

נְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030)

toעַל־'al-H5922
since

עַל (al) 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)

Jews theיְה֣וּדָיֵ֔אye-HU-da-YE'H3062
Jew

יְהוּדַי (ye.hu.da.i) Someone descended from Judah (H3063) and possibly other tribes, first mentioned at 2Ki.25.25 Aramaic of ye.hu.di (יְהוּדִי "Jew" H3064)

whoדִּ֥יdiH1768
that

דִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

[were] in Judahבִיה֖וּדvi-HUDH3061
Judah

יְהוּד (ye.hud) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Aramaic of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) Judah-the territory of the tribe of Judah

and in Jerusalemוּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑םu-vi-ru-she-LEMH3390
Jerusalem

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.lem) Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

in [the] name ofבְּשֻׁ֛םbe-SHUMH8036
name

שֻׁם (shum) name Aramaic of shem (שֵׁם "name" H8034)

[the] God ofאֱלָ֥הּ'e-LAHH0426
god

אֱלָהּ (e.lah) 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)

Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYIS-ra-'ELH3479
Israel

יִשְׂרָאֵל (yis.ra.el) A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Aramaic of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Israel = "God prevails" …

[who was] over themעֲלֵיהֽוֹן׃ סa-lei-HONH5922
since

עַל (al) 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)

Verse 2

EnglishAramaicSay itStrong'sMeaning
in thenבֵּאדַ֡יִןbe-DA-yinH0116
then

אֱדַ֫יִן (e.da.yin) then, afterwards, thereupon, from that time Aramaic of az (אָז "then" H0227A)

they aroseקָ֠מוּKA-muH6966G
to stand: rise

קוּם (qum) : rise/get_going 1) to arise, stand 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to arise from 1a2) to come on the scene (fig) 1a3) to arise (out of inaction) 1a4) to stand 1a5) to endure 1b) (Pael) to set up, establish 1c) (Aphel) 1c1) to set up 1c2) to lift up 1c3) to establish 1c4) to appoint 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand

Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֤לze-ru-ba-VELH2217
Zerubbabel

זְרֻבָּבֶ֫ל (ze.rub.ba.vel) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.3.19; son of: Pedaiah (H6305H); brother of: Shimei (H8096J); father of: Meshullam (H4918H), Hananiah (H2608L), Shelomith (H8019I), Hashubah (H2807), Ohel (H0169), Berechiah (H1296), Hasadiah (H2619), Jushab-hesed (H3142) and Abiud (G0010); also called Sheshbazzar at Ezr.1.8,11; 5.14,16; KJV: Zorobabel at Mat.1.12,13; Aramaic of ze.rub.ba.vel (זְרֻבָּבֶ֫ל "Zerubbabel" H2216) § Zerubbabel = "sown in Babylon" the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon

[the] son ofבַּר־bar-H1247J
son

בַּר (bar) son Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

Shealtielשְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙she-'al-ti-'ELH7598
Shealtiel

שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל (she.al.ti.el) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.3.17; son of: Jehoiachin (H3078); brother of: Zedekiah (H6667I)(?); father(?) of Malchiram (H4443), Pedaiah (H6305H), Shenazzar (H8137), Jekamiah (H3359H), Hoshama (H1953) and Nedabiah (H5072) Aramaic of she.al.ti.el (שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל "Shealtiel" H7597A) § Shealtiel = "I have asked of God" father of Zerubbabel

and Jeshuaוְיֵשׁ֣וּעַve-ye-SHU-a'H3443
Jeshua

יֵשׁוּעַ (ye.shu.a) A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; Aramaic of ye.ho.shu.a (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ "Joshua" H3091J) § Jeshua = "he is saved" an exilic priest who returned with Zerubbabel

[the] son ofבַּר־bar-H1247J
son

בַּר (bar) son Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

Jozadakיֽוֹצָדָ֔קyo-tza-DAKH3136B
Jozadak

יוֹצָדָק (yo.tsa.daq) A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.14; son of: Seraiah (H8304H); brother of: Ezra (H5830); father of: Joshua (H3091J); also called Jozadak at Ezr.3.2,8; 5.2; 1x Aramaic of ye.ho.tsa.daq (יְהוֹצָדָק "Jehozadak" H3087) § Jozadak = "Jehovah is righteous" grandson of the high priest Hilkiah; son of the high priest Seraiah; and father of the high priest Joshua; he never attained the office of high priest himself because he was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (in Aramaic writings)

and they beganוְשָׁרִ֣יוve-sha-RIVH8271
to loose

שְׁרָא (she.re) 1) to loosen, abide, begin 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to loosen 1a2) to abide (from loosing girths for camp) 1b) (Pael) to begin, open 1c) (Ithpael) to be loosened

to buildלְמִבְנֵ֔אle-miv-NE'H1124
to build

בְּנָה (be.nah) 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built

[the] house ofבֵּ֥יתbeitH1005
house

בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) 1) house (of men) 2) house (of God)

the Godאֱלָהָ֖א'e-la-HA'H0426
god

אֱלָהּ (e.lah) 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)

whichדִּ֣יdiH1768
that

דִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

[is] in Jerusalemבִירֽוּשְׁלֶ֑םvi-ru-she-LEMH3390
Jerusalem

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.lem) Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

and [were] with themוְעִמְּה֛וֹןve-'i-me-HONH5974
with

עִם (im) 1) with 1a) together with, with 1b) with, during

prophets theנְבִיַּיָּ֥אne-vi-'ai-ya'H5029
prophet

נְבִיא (ne.vi) prophet Aramaic of na.vi (נָבִיא "prophet" H5030)

ofדִֽי־di-H1768
that

דִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

the Godאֱלָהָ֖א'e-la-HA'H0426
god

אֱלָהּ (e.lah) 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)

supportingמְסָעֲדִ֥יןme-sa-'a-DINH5583
to support

סְעַד (se.ad) (Aphel) to support, sustain Aramaic of sa.ad (סָעַד "to support" H5582)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.