Ezra 5 1

Ezra 5:1 kjv

Then 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.

Ezra 5:1 nkjv

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.

Ezra 5:1 niv

Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.

Ezra 5:1 esv

Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.

Ezra 5:1 nlt

At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 1 Meaning

Ezra 5:1 marks a crucial turning point for the returning exiles in Jerusalem. After a prolonged period where the work of rebuilding the temple had ceased due to external opposition and internal discouragement, God sovereignly intervened. He raised up two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, empowering them to deliver His message directly to the Jewish people residing in Judah and Jerusalem. This prophetic proclamation, spoken with divine authority "in the name of the God of Israel," served to re-energize the people and command them to resume the essential task of constructing the house of the Lord. It signifies God's active presence and initiative in reviving His covenant purposes among His chosen people.

Ezra 5 1 Context

Ezra 5:1 provides a dramatic and essential shift in the narrative of the temple's rebuilding. For nearly sixteen years, work on the Second Temple in Jerusalem had ceased, effectively brought to a halt by opposition from the surrounding peoples and the Persian authorities (detailed in Ezra 4). This prolonged stagnation had left the returned exiles despondent, their initial zeal replaced by complacency and a focus on their own homes. The broader historical context is the early reign of Darius I (Hystaspes), around 520 BC. The decree of Cyrus in 538 BC had permitted the return and the initial laying of the temple's foundation, but discouragement, poor harvests, and renewed opposition led the people to believe the "time had not yet come" (Hag 1:2) to complete God's house. Ezra 5:1 marks God's direct and timely intervention through the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah to address this spiritual and physical malaise, shifting the people's focus back to God's priorities for their community and the re-establishment of His dwelling place among them. Their prophecy ignited a spiritual revival that directly led to the resumption and eventual completion of the temple.

Ezra 5 1 Word analysis

• Then (אֱדַיִן - ’eḏayēn): An Aramaic adverb indicating a specific point in time or a consequential happening. Here, it marks a significant shift or turning point after the inactivity described in Ezra 4. It implies a divinely appointed moment for change.

• the prophets (נְבִיאִין - nəḇî’în): Aramaic plural of nabî’ (prophet), meaning "spokesperson" or "one called forth." These were individuals chosen and empowered by God to speak His exact words to His people, serving as a vital link in the covenant relationship. Their appearance signals God's direct intervention.

• Haggai (חַגַּי - Ḥaggay): His name likely means "my feast." He was an older prophet, possibly having witnessed the glory of the first temple. His ministry primarily urged the people to prioritize rebuilding the temple, linking their current struggles (poor harvests, drought) directly to their neglect of God's house.

• Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה - Zəḵaryāh): His name means "Yahweh remembers." He was a younger contemporary of Haggai (Zech 1:1 says "son of Berechiah, son of Iddo"; Ezra refers to his grandfather or a more prominent ancestor Iddo here), and his prophecies were often broader in scope, including messianic and eschatological themes, yet also emphasized the temple's rebuilding and the Spirit's power.

• prophesied (נִבִּ֕יאוּ - nib·bî’ū): Aramaic verb, same root as "prophets." It signifies declaring God's word authoritatively, not merely giving advice. This was a direct message from the Most High God, demanding obedience.

• to the Jews (לִיהוּדָיֵא - lîhūḏāyē’): Refers to the descendants of Judah, who had returned from exile. This indicates the specific, chosen audience of the prophetic message, not a universal address but a covenantal one.

• who were in Judah and Jerusalem (בִּיהוּד֙ וּבִירוּשְׁלֶם֙ - bîhūḏ ūḇîrûšəlem): Specifies the physical location of the returned exiles. Judah was the larger region, and Jerusalem was its central city and spiritual capital. This precise address underscored the local and immediate relevance of the divine word.

• in the name of the God of Israel (בְּשֵׁ֥ם אֱלָהּ־ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל - bəšēm ’ĕlāh yisrā’ēl): This crucial phrase signifies the source of authority for their prophetic words. They did not speak from their own wisdom or desire but as instruments of Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who chose Israel, revealed Himself to them, and was actively involved in their history, despite their current subjugation to a foreign power. It directly challenges any alternative deities or human authorities by elevating the unique sovereign power of Israel's God.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then the prophets... prophesied": Highlights the divine timing and initiation of God's intervention. After a period of human inaction and opposition, God actively sent His messengers to reignite His plan. This marks God's faithfulness even when His people are floundering.
  • "Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo": Names two specific individuals, underscoring the personal call and identity of God's messengers. Their joint ministry shows a unified divine purpose.
  • "to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem": Specifies the precise and confined target audience. This was a message directly applicable to the post-exilic community grappling with challenges of rebuilding and establishing their lives in the homeland.
  • "in the name of the God of Israel": This phrase is paramount. It emphasizes the ultimate divine authority behind their words. It distinguishes the prophecies from mere human opinion or political decree, establishing them as direct pronouncements from the only true God, who retains His covenant relationship and power over Israel despite their circumstances. It asserts God's sovereignty even within a foreign empire.

Ezra 5 1 Bonus section

• The timing of Haggai and Zechariah's ministry (the second year of Darius, c. 520 BC) corresponds precisely with the end of the approximately 16-year lull in temple construction mentioned in Ezra 4:24. This highlights God's perfect timing in sending His messengers when they were most needed.
• The title "God of Israel" in a non-Israelite empire (Persia) emphasizes Yahweh's unique identity as the covenant God, distinct from any local deities or imperial gods. It's a statement of His sovereign claim over His people and land, even under foreign rule.
• The collaborative nature of Haggai and Zechariah's prophetic ministry is noteworthy. While they had distinct styles and emphases, their shared purpose and timing demonstrate God's orchestrating of diverse gifts for a singular goal: the completion of His temple.
• This verse illustrates a recurring biblical pattern: when human efforts falter or cease due to fear, opposition, or apathy, God often intervenes through His Word and Spirit, sent through His servants, to re-mobilize His people for His purposes. It's a reminder that God never abandons His plan.

Ezra 5 1 Commentary

Ezra 5:1 marks a profound divine turning point following years of discouraged inaction concerning the temple's rebuilding. It showcases God's unwavering commitment to His purposes, even when His people are faltering. Having faced formidable opposition that effectively halted the construction for over a decade, the people of Judah had settled into their personal lives, seemingly forgetting their divinely mandated task. Yet, God, in His perfect timing, sovereignly raised up Haggai and Zechariah. These prophets were not merely motivational speakers; they were God's authoritative mouthpieces, delivering a clear message that explicitly linked the people's current economic struggles (like poor harvests) to their neglect of God's house. Their unified message, delivered "in the name of the God of Israel," reminded the exiles that their true hope and prosperity lay in prioritizing God's glory and obediently rebuilding His temple. This divine intervention served as a powerful rebuke to apathy and fear, reigniting their faith and prompting them to recommence the sacred work, which they did, ultimately prospering through the very prophecies given (Ezra 6:14). It underscores the biblical principle that true revival and progress often begin with a fresh word from God, delivered through His chosen servants, stirring hearts to repentance and obedience to His commands.