Ezra 5 12

Ezra 5:12 kjv

But 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.

Ezra 5:12 nkjv

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.

Ezra 5:12 niv

But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldean, king of Babylon, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.

Ezra 5:12 esv

But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia.

Ezra 5:12 nlt

But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, he abandoned them to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who destroyed this Temple and exiled the people to Babylonia.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 12 Meaning

Ezra 5:12 explains that the former destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the exile of the Judean people to Babylon were a direct consequence of the continuous disobedience and provocation of the previous generations of their ancestors against the sovereign God of heaven. This act of divine judgment was carried out through Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who acted as God's instrument to destroy the holy house and displace the inhabitants.

Ezra 5 12 Context

Ezra 5 describes the resumption of temple rebuilding under King Darius I, after earlier opposition had halted the work. The Persian governor of Trans-Euphrates, Tatnai, and his officials arrive in Jerusalem to question the Judean elders about their authority to rebuild the Temple. Ezra 5:12 is part of the Judean elders' direct response and defense. They explain to Tatnai and his colleagues the precise reason why the original Temple was destroyed and why they had been exiled: it was not due to some human error or arbitrary act, but due to their forefathers' persistent sin against God, leading to divine judgment delivered through Nebuchadnezzar. This detailed explanation serves to establish that their current building efforts are not a rebellion against the current Persian rule, but rather a faithful re-engagement with their covenant God, fulfilling prophecies and a decree from a former Persian king, Cyrus. This also subtly asserts the sovereignty of "the God of heaven" over earthly empires and events, a key theological point in the Ezra-Nehemiah narrative.

Ezra 5 12 Word analysis

• But when our fathers: This phrase serves as a transitional element, contrasting the present circumstances (rebuilding) with the past (destruction). It acknowledges a previous generation's culpability, thereby implicitly distinguishing the current generation's efforts as righteous and permissible under divine favor.
• had provoked: (Aramaic: הֶרְגִּזוּ - hergizu, Hithpael form of ragaz). The verb implies a deliberate and repeated action, signifying that the "fathers" did not simply displease God accidentally, but actively and persistently angered Him through their behavior. It denotes deep and strong indignation on God's part due to sustained rebellion.
• the God of heaven: (Aramaic: אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא - 'Elah Sh’mayya). This is a prominent and significant title for God in Ezra-Nehemiah (e.g., Ezra 1:2; 6:9,10; 7:12,21,23; Neh 1:4; 2:4,20; Dan 2:18,19,44). While "God of heaven and earth" is a more ancient title, "God of heaven" became particularly important in the Persian period. It emphasizes His supreme sovereignty and transcendent authority, acknowledged even by Persian kings like Cyrus (Ezra 1:2) and Darius (Ezra 6:9-10). It distinguishes Him as the true and ultimate authority over all earthly powers and deities.
• to wrath: (Aramaic: לְרוּגְזָא - l'rugza, related to ragaz). This signifies divine anger, righteous indignation, and displeasure. It indicates a holy reaction to sin and a violation of the covenant, not a capricious human emotion. God's wrath is always just and purposive, leading to corrective judgment.
• he gave them into the hand of: A common biblical idiom signifying divine surrender or delivering over to an adversary. It asserts God's ultimate control and active involvement in historical events. This was not a random geopolitical shift, but a direct act of divine will, employing Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument of judgment.
• Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean: Identifies the specific human agent of God's judgment. Nebuchadnezzar (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר - Nəḇūḵaḏneʾṣṣar). His full title emphasizes his power and authority as the reigning monarch, while "the Chaldean" specifies his ethnicity and lineage, marking him precisely as the historical figure who led the Babylonian Empire in its destruction of Judah. This adds historical accuracy and weight to the elders' account.
• who destroyed this house: Refers to Solomon's First Temple, the central place of worship and national identity for Israel. Its destruction symbolized the temporary end of the Davidic dynasty and the national covenant blessings. This action was not by human initiative alone, but sanctioned by God due to His people's sin.
• and carried the people away to Babylon: This refers to the Babylonian exile, a major disciplinary act against Israel. It meant the loss of land, self-governance, and a break in direct sacrificial worship, fulfilling ancient prophetic warnings and covenant curses. This phrase clearly states the ultimate consequence of their forefathers' provocation.

Ezra 5 12 Bonus section

The Judean elders' precise historical recounting to Tatnai highlights several critical aspects of their understanding:

• Theocentric View of History: Their explanation isn't just about geopolitics; it places God at the center of history. Empires rise and fall, not by chance, but according to the will of the "God of heaven." This directly contrasts with pagan polytheistic views that often attributed such events to a struggle between deities or human fortune.
• Covenant Consequences: The verse is a powerful testament to the fulfillment of covenant curses warned throughout Deuteronomy (e.g., Deut 28) and Leviticus (e.g., Lev 26). The "fathers had provoked" indicates a breach of covenantal obligations.
• Strategic Apologetics: The elders' statement serves a dual purpose: it’s an honest confession of national sin and also a clever defense to the Persian authorities. By showing that the Temple was destroyed due to divine wrath and not due to rebellious acts against a previous empire, they justify their rebuilding as an act of obedience to their God, which also aligned with the previous decree of Cyrus, a Persian king.
• Continuity and Renewal: While the destruction was a dark period, the very act of explaining it implies a hope for renewal. Understanding the cause of past judgment is foundational for avoiding future sin and ensuring future blessings.

Ezra 5 12 Commentary

Ezra 5:12 concisely encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel's theological history. The elders' testimony directly attributes the previous calamity—the destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Babylonian exile—to the deliberate and repeated provocation of the "God of heaven" by their ancestors. This confession is not merely a historical account but a profound theological declaration. It emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, asserting that even the most formidable pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar, acted solely as God's instrument to execute divine judgment. This verse underlines the biblical principle that human disobedience has direct and severe consequences, but also affirms God's justice and His continued involvement in human history, orchestrating events even through unlikely agents. The acknowledgment of sin by the returning exiles signifies a humble and God-centered understanding of their past, justifying their present efforts to rebuild not as defiance but as an act of faith.