Ezra 5 5

Ezra 5:5 kjv

But 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.

Ezra 5:5 nkjv

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.

Ezra 5:5 niv

But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

Ezra 5:5 esv

But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.

Ezra 5:5 nlt

But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 5 Meaning

Ezra 5:5 reveals the active, watchful care of God over His people during the rebuilding of the temple. Despite official challenges from Persian governors who sought to halt the work, the "eye of their God" ensured that the elders of the Jews were not stopped. This divine providence allowed the work to continue uninterrupted until a formal report could be sent to King Darius and his authoritative reply received, demonstrating God's sovereign control over political circumstances to ensure the progress of His redemptive purposes.

Ezra 5 5 Context

Ezra chapter 5 begins after the seventeen-year lull in the rebuilding of the Second Temple. The prophet Haggai, in the second year of Darius (520 BC), roused the returned exiles to prioritize God's house, alongside Zechariah, who encouraged them with visions of future glory and the importance of perseverance. Empowered by these prophetic messages, Zerubbabel the governor and Jeshua the high priest resumed the work of laying foundations and building the superstructure. This renewed activity quickly drew the attention of Tattenai, the Persian governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai, his subordinate. They questioned the Jewish leaders, demanding to know who authorized the rebuilding of the temple and a full list of those involved. Ezra 5:5 steps in to explain why the work was allowed to continue despite this serious imperial inquiry. Historically, this period was one of Persian administrative organization under Darius I (522-486 BC), who emphasized bureaucratic order. The temple project would have fallen under significant scrutiny without proper documentation. Earlier opposition had indeed stopped the work (Ezra 4), so the ability of the Jews to continue under investigation was a notable divine intervention.

Ezra 5 5 Word analysis

• But: This introductory word signals a clear contrast to the immediate threat or implied challenge. Despite the powerful earthly opposition and rigorous bureaucratic scrutiny from the Persian officials (as implied from the chapter's preceding and following verses), divine protection intervened.
• the eye of their God: (Aramaic: עֵין אֱלָהֲהוֹן, ‘ên ’ĕlāhōhōn)
  • the eye (‘ên): A powerful anthropomorphic expression. It symbolizes God's constant, active, vigilant, and protective watchfulness. It's not a passive glance but an attentive gaze implying oversight, awareness, and care. It signifies omniscience and omnipresence—God sees all that happens to His people. In contrast to pagan deities believed to be localized or limited, this asserts YHWH's universal reach and power.
  • of their God (’ĕlāhōhōn): Explicitly identifies the divine watchman as the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes His unique relationship with the Jews and His personal commitment to their welfare and the fulfillment of His promises through them. This designation distinguishes Him from any pagan gods Tattenai or the Persians might worship, implicitly asserting YHWH's ultimate sovereignty even over the mighty Persian Empire.
• was watching over (havath al): Literally "was upon" or "was over." This implies a controlling and protective presence. God's "eye" was not merely observing from a distance but actively superintending and influencing the situation to favor His people and their work. It signifies active divine favor and intervention, preventing harm or disruption.
• the elders of the Jews: These were the key leaders of the community, likely including Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and other influential figures responsible for initiating and overseeing the temple rebuilding. God's specific protective care upon them ensured the continuity of the entire project, as these were the very individuals questioned by Tattenai.
• and they were not stopped: (Aramaic: וְלָא הַבְטִלוּ, wəlā’ habṭîlû) This is the direct result and practical effect of God's watchful eye. Despite the challenging circumstances—an official governmental inquiry which in earlier times had caused the work to cease—the work of rebuilding the temple was able to continue without interruption. This phrase strongly emphasizes God's direct and effective intervention in the situation, bypassing human intent to halt the construction.
• until: This word marks a divinely appointed period or condition. God allowed the work to continue uninterrupted, but not indefinitely without official approval. This reveals God working within, and through, the established human administrative and legal systems of the Persian Empire.
• a report could be sent to Darius: (Aramaic: טַעְמָא יְהָךְ לְדָרְיָוֶשׁ, ṭaʿmā’ yehāk lədarəyāveš) "A report" (ṭaʿmā’) refers to the official letter or memorandum detailing the matter, requiring formal review and decision by the supreme ruler, King Darius I Hystaspes. This indicates the legitimacy of the Persian inquiry and the Jews' compliance, even as God preserved the work during this bureaucratic process. It signifies that God is sovereign even over imperial bureaucracy and protocol.
• and his written reply be received concerning it: The awaited outcome was a formal, documented royal decree or decision from the king. This would provide the necessary legal backing to proceed unequivocally or to halt the work definitively. The fact that God ensured the work was not stopped before this formal reply demonstrates His control over the timing and progression of events, safeguarding His purposes.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews": This phrase highlights God's active and personal providence over the leaders of His covenant people. It is a theological statement asserting that the progress of divine plans rests on God's vigilant oversight, not just human effort or favorable circumstances. This divine surveillance countered any prevailing belief in fate or random chance; it explicitly attributed their survival and continuation of work to YHWH.
• "and they were not stopped until a report could be sent to Darius and his written reply be received concerning it": This portion illuminates the intersection of divine sovereignty and human administration. God ensured that human bureaucracy and powerful political figures served, albeit unknowingly, His ultimate design. The continued building during the inquiry prevented significant delays, showcasing God's strategic timing and ability to orchestrate political processes for the benefit of His people and the advancement of His kingdom. It was a direct polemic against any notion that human authority or hostile power could ultimately thwart the will of God.

Ezra 5 5 Bonus section

• The Aramaic phrasing emphasizes the administrative and international context of Ezra. The language suggests a broader reach for God's power, extending even into the legal and political apparatus of a foreign empire.
• The "eye of their God" can also imply a covenant faithfulness. Just as the nation of Israel has a "Shepherd" (Ps 23), it also has a "Watchman" (Ps 121) who never sleeps. This ensures the promises made to Abraham and David remain secured through the ongoing presence and worship of God in the temple.
• This verse can be a comfort to believers facing opposition in their service to God, reminding them that the "eye" of their God is on them, preserving them and their work for His glory. It speaks to divine patience, allowing a process (the inquiry to Darius) to unfold naturally, yet maintaining supernatural oversight.
• The incident foreshadows how God would continue to work through earthly rulers for His people's good throughout biblical history (e.g., Esther, Nehemiah), leading ultimately to the spread of the gospel throughout the Gentile world.

Ezra 5 5 Commentary

Ezra 5:5 succinctly encapsulates the profound theological truth of divine providence. At a critical juncture when the temple rebuilding was under direct challenge from Persian authority, threatening another prolonged stoppage, God's direct, active, and protective gaze—His "eye"—ensured that the work and the workers, especially the leaders, remained unhindered. This was not a passive observation but an active superintendence that controlled the flow of events. It demonstrated God's sovereign hand not just in moving kings to issue initial decrees, but also in managing complex administrative procedures and human opposition. The verse implies that the spiritual encouragement by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2) was accompanied by tangible divine action on the ground, making their renewed efforts fruitful despite very real political threats. It is a powerful affirmation that God is thoroughly committed to His work, safeguarding it through both spiritual impetus and practical, providential care over governmental affairs, ensuring His redemptive plan continues according to His timing and will.