Ezra 5 8

Ezra 5:8 kjv

Be 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.

Ezra 5:8 nkjv

Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

Ezra 5:8 niv

The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.

Ezra 5:8 esv

Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

Ezra 5:8 nlt

"The king should know that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 8 Meaning

Ezra 5:8 is part of a detailed report sent by Tattenai (referred to as Shethar-boznai in this verse and companion governors/scribes) to King Darius concerning the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse explicitly states that the investigative team journeyed to the province of Judah and observed the ongoing construction of the "house of the great God." It describes the building materials—large stones and timber—being used in the walls, highlighting the substantial and serious nature of the work. Crucially, the report emphasizes that the construction proceeds with great diligence and is evidently prospering in the hands of the Jewish people, signaling a vigorous and successful effort. This meticulous report aimed to provide the Persian king with an accurate account of the activity, seeking clarity on the legality of the rebuilding efforts.

Ezra 5 8 Context

Ezra 5:8 is found within the Aramaic section of the book of Ezra (4:8-6:18 and 7:12-26), indicating an official administrative or legal context. This specific verse is part of a letter sent by Tattenai (also called Shethar-boznai), the governor of Trans-Euphrates, and his colleagues to King Darius I. Their purpose was to inquire about the legality of the Temple rebuilding in Jerusalem, prompted by local accusations against the Jews. The narrative unfolds about 15 years after the first group of exiles returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua, and roughly 15 years after a previous stoppage order from King Artaxerxes due to Samaritan opposition (Ezra 4).During this period, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish community had resumed rebuilding the Temple despite the previous ban, relying on King Cyrus' original decree. Tattenai's report in Ezra 5 serves as an investigation into this activity. Verse 8 describes their findings: the location (province of Judah), the specific structure (house of the great God), the materials (great stones, timber), and crucially, the pace and success of the work (goes on with diligence, prospers). This detailed observation confirms the serious and legitimate nature of the rebuilding, rather than a mere skirmish or rebellion, providing Darius with facts to decide upon the matter.

Ezra 5 8 Word analysis

• Be it known to the king: This is a formal Aramaic bureaucratic opening (יְדִיעַ לְמַלְכָּא, yediʿa lemalkaʾ), characteristic of official communications in the Persian Empire. It signifies a respectful but direct address, aiming to convey important information. It implies a demand for attention and decision from the highest authority.
• we went: (אֲזַלְנָא, ʾazalnaʾ) Refers to Tattenai, Shethar-boznai, and their investigative team. This emphasizes their eyewitness account and thoroughness in validating the claims and counter-claims regarding the Temple construction. Their report is based on personal observation.
• province of Judah: The geopolitical region where Jerusalem and the Temple were located, within the broader Persian administrative satrapy of "Beyond the River" (Trans-Euphrates). It defines the jurisdiction and geographical scope of the report.
• to the house of the great God: (לְבֵית אֱלָהָא רַבָּא, lebet Elaha Rabbaʾ) This is a significant phrase. "House" clearly refers to the Temple. "The great God" is the Aramaic designation for Yahweh. While it serves the diplomatic purpose of communicating to a polytheistic Persian king (implying Yahweh is a significant deity to be respected), for the Jews, it reaffirmed Yahweh's supreme sovereignty over all other gods. It implicitly stands against pagan deities and underscores God's universal power.
• and it is being built with great stones: (מִתְבְּנֵא בְּאַבְנֵא גְלָל, mitbeney beʾabney gelal) "Great stones" (אבני גלל, ʾabney gelal, literally "rolled stones" or "heavy stones") suggests large, quarried blocks. This indicates substantial, lasting construction, not a flimsy or temporary structure. It speaks to the commitment and quality of the work, reinforcing its seriousness and importance.
• and timber is laid in the walls: (וְאָע אִשְׁתַּאבְּלָא בְכֻתְלַיָּא, veʾaʾ ishtabbla beḵutlayaʾ) This refers to the wooden beams and framework used in ancient Near Eastern masonry to strengthen walls, tie them together, and provide support for roofs. It further describes the professional and robust nature of the building project, confirming the substantial investment and proper building techniques.
• and this work goes on with diligence: (וַעֲבִידְתָּא דָא עָבְדָא אֻסְפַּרְנָא, vaʿavīdətā daʿ ʿovdaʾ usparnaʾ) "Diligence" (usparnaʾ, "with haste," "urgently," "carefully") emphasizes the energetic, earnest, and methodical nature of the construction. It indicates that the builders are not slacking but are working purposefully and with commitment, reflecting perhaps the spiritual zeal ignited by Haggai and Zechariah.
• and prospers in their hands: (וְכִשְׁרָא בְיֶדְהוֹן, vekisra bīḏhon) "Prospers" implies success, advancement, and being well-managed or achieving good progress. This is an objective observation by the Persian officials that the project is not failing but is flourishing. Biblically, prosperity often denotes divine favor and blessing (e.g., Neh. 2:20). Their reporting confirms visible progress, possibly alluding to God's hand being upon the work.

Ezra 5 8 Bonus section

• Aramaic Bureaucracy: The meticulous nature of this report, detailing materials, progress, and even acknowledging "the great God," exemplifies the highly organized Persian administration. It highlights how even amidst religious matters, practical imperial governance procedures were followed. This detail-oriented reporting suggests an attempt to be objective and thorough rather than purely accusatory.
• Diplomatic Language: The phrase "house of the great God" might have been a subtle way for the Persian officials to acknowledge the significance of Yahweh to the Jews, while not necessarily endorsing Jewish theology personally. This diplomatic wording allowed them to describe the temple neutrally for the king's information, facilitating the royal review process rather than triggering an immediate suppression based on religious conflict.
• Contrast with Former Opposition: This positive report of progress stands in stark contrast to the earlier opposition and forced stoppage recounted in Ezra 4. The change in the administrative attitude (from stopping to merely investigating) under Darius I, who was known for his administrative reforms and religious tolerance towards established cults, proved critical for the Temple's eventual completion.
• The Prophetic Element: Though not explicitly stated in Ezra 5:8, the "diligence" and "prosper" aspects mentioned by the Persian officials indirectly validate the powerful impact of Haggai and Zechariah's prophetic ministries (Hag. 1:14; Zech. 4:6). It confirms that the Jews had renewed their effort with a God-given strength and success.

Ezra 5 8 Commentary

Ezra 5:8 is a pivotal verse within the Aramaic exchange between Persian authorities and the Jewish people during the Second Temple period. It serves as a factual and unembellished report by Tattenai to King Darius, confirming the serious and vigorous rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. The details regarding the use of "great stones" and "timber" attest to the solid, quality construction and the substantial commitment of the Jewish returnees. The description of the work proceeding "with diligence" (or urgency) highlights their zeal and energy, spurred by the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah (Hag. 1:1-8). The final observation that the work "prospers in their hands" implicitly acknowledges divine blessing or at least an effective human endeavor, reinforcing the legitimacy of the Jewish claims and aspirations. This precise bureaucratic language sets the stage for King Darius's crucial decision, demonstrating that God was orchestrating events through political channels to ensure His house was rebuilt according to His promises. This verse underscores the diligence and faithfulness of God's people in undertaking His work, and His enabling hand upon their efforts, even amidst scrutiny.