Ezra 5:17 kjv
Now 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.
Ezra 5:17 nkjv
Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.
Ezra 5:17 niv
Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
Ezra 5:17 esv
Therefore, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter."
Ezra 5:17 nlt
"Therefore, if it pleases the king, we request that a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to discover whether King Cyrus ever issued a decree to rebuild God's Temple in Jerusalem. And then let the king send us his decision in this matter."
Ezra 5 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezr 1:1-4 | In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia... issued a decree throughout his kingdom... 'whoever is among you of all his people... let him go up to Jerusalem... to build the house of the LORD.' | Cyrus's Decree: The foundational decree sought in Ezra 5:17. |
| Ezr 6:2-5 | And in Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media... a scroll was found on which this was written... Concerning the house of God in Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt... let the costs be paid from the king's treasury. | Discovery of Decree: Fulfillment of the request in Ezr 5:17, validating their appeal. |
| Neh 2:8 | And a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber... And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me. | King's Favour: Illustrates God moving a king's heart to assist His people. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. | God's Sovereignty over Rulers: Highlights divine influence on kings' decisions, like finding Cyrus's decree. |
| Hag 1:14 | And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people... and they came and worked on the house of the LORD. | Divine Empowerment: The initial impetus for resuming temple work, leading to the challenge and appeal. |
| Zech 4:9 | The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. | Divine Promise: Reassurance that the work would be finished, despite opposition. |
| Dan 6:8 | Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked. | Persian Law: Underscores the importance and unchangeable nature of imperial decrees, validating their appeal. |
| Est 6:1-2 | On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles... it was found written how Mordecai had made known a plot. | Search in Archives: An example of royal chronicles being searched, mirroring Ezra's request. |
| Deut 17:10-11 | You shall carry out the verdict that they declare to you... You shall be careful to do according to all that they order you. | Obedience to Lawful Authority: Seeking a definitive legal ruling from the highest authority. |
| Isa 45:13 | I stir him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for pay and not for bribes, says the LORD of hosts. | Cyrus as God's Instrument: Foreshadows Cyrus's decree, emphasizing his divine appointment. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. | Submission to Authority: The elders' diplomatic appeal reflects respect for governmental structures. |
| Acts 25:11-12 | If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me... I appeal to Caesar! | Appeal to Higher Authority: Paul's appeal mirrors the strategic move to involve the ultimate earthly ruler. |
| Psa 2:1-4 | Why do the nations rage... The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed... He who sits in the heavens laughs. | God's Control Over Nations: Despite earthly opposition, God's plan for His house prevails. |
| Neh 4:6 | So we built the wall... for the people had a mind to work. | Perseverance Amidst Opposition: Reflects the dedication despite challenges, leading to this legal appeal. |
| Exod 1:8-10 | Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph... let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply and if war breaks out, they join our enemies. | Opposition from Rulers: While different context, highlights how rulers can hinder God's people. |
| Psa 118:9 | It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. | Trust in God vs. Man: While appealing to a king, the ultimate trust is in God for the outcome. |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city. | God's Purpose for Jerusalem: The rebuilding of the temple is integral to God's plan for His city. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. | Spiritual Temple: A New Testament echo of "house of God," where believers are built into a spiritual dwelling. |
| Phil 1:6 | And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | God Completes His Work: Connects to the idea that God ensures His will (rebuilding the temple) is completed. |
| 1 Pet 2:13 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme. | Respect for Governance: Reinforces the attitude seen in the diplomatic request of Ezra 5:17. |
Ezra 5 verses
Ezra 5 17 Meaning
Ezra 5:17 represents the appeal of the Jewish elders to King Darius I, prompted by the local Persian governors' questioning of their authority to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It conveys a diplomatic request to the king to authorize an official search in the royal archives, specifically in Babylon, for the original decree issued by King Cyrus. This decree, they asserted, granted them permission to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. The verse concludes with their plea for the king to communicate his definitive decision on the matter to them, emphasizing their desire for legitimate imperial sanction for their work.
Ezra 5 17 Context
Ezra 5:17 falls within the historical period after the Jewish exiles' return to Judah following Cyrus's decree (538 BC). The immediate context of Ezra chapter 5 begins with the prophets Haggai and Zechariah motivating the disheartened and inactive exiles to resume the work on rebuilding the temple, which had stalled for many years due to opposition from surrounding peoples (Ezr 4:1-5, 24). Upon recommencing the work, the Persian governor of Trans-Euphrates, Tattenai, and Shethar-Bozenai, question the elders' authority. They demand to know by whose authority and whose decree they are rebuilding the temple (Ezr 5:3-5). The elders respond that they are rebuilding the house of the great God and refer to King Cyrus's original decree (Ezr 5:11-16). Ezra 5:17 is their shrewd and respectful follow-up to this inquiry, proposing a definitive verification method directly from the royal court. This appeal aimed to gain full legal sanction from the highest authority in the empire, preventing further interference and ensuring the completion of the divine mandate.
Ezra 5 17 Word analysis
- Now therefore: Aramaic "כְּעַן (kəʿan) דֵּךְ (dêk)". This phrase functions as a transition, linking directly back to the preceding interrogation and the explanation offered by the Jewish elders. It signals a logical conclusion or a formal response based on the previous conversation.
- if it pleases: Aramaic "אִם־עַל־מַלְכָּא טָב" (ʾim-ʿal-maləkkāʾ ṭāḇ). This is a deferential and diplomatic expression common in ancient Near Eastern royal correspondence. It acknowledges the king's ultimate authority and sovereignty, showing respect and a lack of presumption, rather than making a demand.
- the king: Aramaic "מַלְכָּא" (maləkkāʾ). Refers to Darius I, who was ruling at this time. His decision was final and binding for all the provinces.
- let a search be made: Aramaic "יִשְׁתַּטַּשׁ" (yishtattash), from the root "שָׁטַשׁ" (shaṭash), meaning "to search out, to investigate thoroughly." This implies an official, diligent, and rigorous inquiry rather than a casual look. It points to the expectation of a bureaucratic process.
- in the royal archives: Aramaic "בְּבֵית גִּנְזַיָּא" (bəḇêt ginəzayyāʾ). "בֵּית (bêt)" means "house," and "גִּנְזַיָּא (ginəzayyāʾ)" refers to "treasures, storehouses, archives." This signifies a specific location for official government documents, decrees, and important records. Persian administration was known for meticulous record-keeping.
- of Babylon: Aramaic "דִּי בָּבֶל" (dî bāḇel). Babylon was a major administrative capital of the Persian Empire, a former imperial capital (Neo-Babylonian Empire), and a likely place for records from Cyrus's time to be stored or duplicated. It highlights the expected thoroughness of the search across various imperial centers.
- to see whether King Cyrus: Aramaic "הֵן צְבִי (hēn tsəḇî) כֹּרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא" (kōresh maləkkāʾ). "הֵן צְבִי" literally means "if it was decreed/pleased by." This is the core of their argument – to verify the historical precedent and the foundational legal authorization. King Cyrus had conquered Babylon and subsequently issued decrees for the repatriation of peoples, including the Jews.
- did indeed issue a decree: Aramaic "טְעֵם (ṭeʿēm) שָׂם" (sāām). "טְעֵם" (ṭeʿēm) means "an order, decree, understanding, reason." "שָׂם" (sāām) means "to place, to establish." This refers to a formal, legally binding imperial edict. The use of "indeed" (implied by the directness of their request) underscores their confidence in the existence of such a document.
- to rebuild this house of God: Aramaic "לְמִבְנֵא בֵית אֱלָהָא דְּנָה" (ləmiḇnê bêt ʾĕlāhāʾ dənnāh). "House of God" specifically refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This identifies the precise subject of the requested decree.
- in Jerusalem: Aramaic "בִּירוּשְׁלֶם" (bîrûshlem). Pinpoints the exact geographical location of the building project, eliminating any ambiguity.
- And let the king send us: Aramaic "וְשֶׁלַח לַן" (vəshellakh lan). A direct request for a formal, official communication. This implies a need for documented verification.
- his decision concerning this matter: Aramaic "דִּי טַעְמָהּ (dî ṭaʿmāh)". Again, "טַעְמָהּ" (ṭaʿmāh) referring to "his decision, his decree, his official understanding." They want a clear, final, and authoritative ruling from the king.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Now therefore, if it pleases the king": Shows a respectful, diplomatic, and legally shrewd approach by the Jewish leaders. They did not simply state the decree but invited verification under the king's prerogative. This politeness aligns with the wisdom needed to navigate powerful governmental structures.
- "let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon": This specific request reveals their knowledge of Persian administrative practices and record-keeping. They knew such documents would exist and where they might be found, showcasing not just faith but also practical wisdom and familiarity with the imperial system. It also highlights the extensive reach and meticulous nature of Persian governance.
- "to see whether King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem": This part clarifies the precise document they are seeking. It emphasizes the foundational legal authority they claim—a direct royal command from a prior esteemed emperor. This would lend immense legitimacy to their ongoing work. The specific details (Cyrus, decree, rebuilding, house of God, Jerusalem) make the search highly targeted.
- "And let the king send us his decision concerning this matter": This concluding phrase demonstrates their desire for a formal, binding confirmation that would override local opposition. They sought not merely a confirmation of the past decree but a new, active mandate or affirmation from the current reigning king, thereby preventing further harassment and legitimizing the work going forward. It shows their reliance on recognized legal channels for their religious endeavor.
Ezra 5 17 Bonus section
The Aramaic sections of Ezra (and Daniel) are considered highly reliable by many scholars, often aligning with known historical and administrative practices of the Persian Empire. The request in Ezra 5:17 to search specific royal archives in particular cities (Babylon, later revealed as Ecbatana/Achmetha in Media) demonstrates the accurate portrayal of the extensive and decentralized Persian imperial record-keeping system. Finding the decree in a "scroll" (megillah) in a distant palace (Ecbatana, Ezr 6:2) highlights the vastness of these archives and the administrative network. This precise detail adds historical verisimilitude to the narrative, showcasing not merely a "divine intervention" in general but God's specific working through existing, identifiable human governmental systems. The leaders' choice to make a formal legal request, rather than only asserting divine right, shows pragmatic leadership.
Ezra 5 17 Commentary
Ezra 5:17 exemplifies the strategic wisdom and unwavering faith of the Jewish leadership in post-exilic Judah. Facing a direct challenge from Persian governors, they chose not to argue simply on the basis of religious conviction, but to appeal to the highest civil authority within the empire's own legal framework. This verse demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of political protocols and administrative procedures in the Achaemenid Empire. Their request for an official archival search was astute; it shifted the burden of proof to the king's administration, implying confidence that the original decree would be found. The detailed nature of their request—specifying "royal archives," "Babylon," and "King Cyrus"—indicates their informed approach. Ultimately, their appeal acknowledged Darius's supreme authority while subtly compelling him to act upon an established imperial precedent. This strategic appeal underscores a significant theme in biblical narrative: God's people often use wisdom and utilize human systems to advance divine purposes, while still relying on God's providential hand to guide the outcome, as indeed happened when Cyrus's decree was located (Ezr 6:2).