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.
Read it in contextTattenai’s Letter to Darius
Start reading at Ezra 5:6 (Ezra 5:6 to Ezra 5:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed.
5:6The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
5:7They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
5:8Be 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.
5:9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
5:10We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
5:11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
5:12But 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.
5:13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
5:14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
5:15And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
5:16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
5:17Now 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra the priest and scribe supplies first-person material and is the traditional principal author. The complete book also incorporates earlier documents and third-person narrative. Biblical references: Ezra 7:6; Ezra 7:27; Ezra 8:1. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezra 3:1–6:22): Zerubbabel, Jeshua, the returned community, neighboring opponents, prophets, and Persian officials are involved in rebuilding the altar and temple. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community restored from exile, including those rebuilding its worship and ordering its life by the law. Biblical references: Ezra 1:3; Ezra 7:10; Ezra 10:1. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Tattenai’s Letter to Darius. Read Ezra 5:6 through Ezra 5:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account is set after exile under Persian rule and distinguishes the returns and activities associated with different kings. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative moves from Persian-controlled exile to Jerusalem, with the temple and returning community at its center. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Tattenai’s Letter to Darius (Ezra 5:6 to Ezra 5:17).
Start reading at Ezra 5:6. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The restored temple belongs to the history leading into the world of the Gospels. A broader connection to Christ concerns worship and restoration, not an assertion that each returnee or building detail is a direct prediction. See Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Join renewed worship with attention to conduct and communal responsibility. Apply the account's marriage-related actions with awareness of the particular covenant problem being addressed. interpretation
Cited: Ezra 5:6, Ezra 5:17, Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21
Who wrote it, and how we know
EzraNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysLarge sections are written in the first person by Ezra himself. Ezra 7:27Ezra 8:1Ezra 9:1
Early traditionJewish tradition names Ezra.
What is debatedThe book also contains third-person narrative, which suggests compilation.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezra 5
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezra
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses.
Connection to the wholeReports of intermarriage lead to Ezra's confession and communal action, which must be read within this covenant and historical setting.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.