Ezra 5

1 Later, the prophets [messengers of God, speaking by inspiration] Haggai and Zechariah [Jehovah remembers, a prophet and priest] son of Iddo [given to five different Israelites] prophesied [to speak or sing by inspiration, often used to predict the future] to the Jews [someone from the tribe of Judah] in Judah [the son of Israel and Leah, and the tribe that descended from him] and Jerusalem [the chief city of Palestine and Judah, meaning teaching of peace] in the name [a person’s identity, reputation, or character] of the God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of Israel [a nation chosen by God], who was over them [having authority, control, or dominion]. word study 2 Then [at that time, in those days] Zerubbabel [a leader of the Israelites] son of Shealtiel and Jeshua [a high priest] son of Jozadak rose up [stood up, took a stand] and began to rebuild [to construct, restore] the house [temple, place of worship] of God [Elohim, the supreme Deity] in Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital of Judah]. And the prophets [messengers of God, spokesmen] of God were with them, helping [supporting, assisting] them. word study 3 At that time [a set season, a scheduled event] Tattenai [the Persian governor] the governor [a high-ranking official] of the region [beyond, on the other side of] west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai [a Persian officer], and their associates [companions, fellow officials] went to the Jews and asked, “Who [what authority, what person] authorized [gave a decree, commanded] you to rebuild [to construct, to restore] this temple [the house of God, a place of worship] and restore [to finish, to complete] this structure [the wall, the building]?” word study 4 They also asked [in this manner, thus], “What are the names [identities, designations] of the men [persons, individuals] who are constructing [building, working on] this building [structure, edifice] [that is being made, which is under construction]?” word study 5 But the eye [watchful care, divine attention] of their God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] was on the elders [leaders, those with gray hair, respected for age and wisdom] of the Jews [people from the tribe of Judah, God’s chosen], so that they were not stopped [prevented, hindered] until a report [account, message] was sent to Darius [the Persian king, ruler of the empire] and written instructions [official documents, letters] about this matter [specific issue, concern] were returned [sent back, replied]. word study 6 This is the text [copy, transcript] of the letter [written message, epistle] that Tattenai [official] the governor [prefect, ruler] of the region [province, territory] west of the Euphrates [beyond the river, on the other side], Shethar-bozenai [a Persian officer, companion], and their associates [companions, fellow officials], the officials [governors, leaders] in the region [province, district], sent [dispatched, conveyed] to King [monarch, ruler] Darius [a title for Persian kings, Darius the Mede]. word study 7 The report [letter, official word] they sent him read as follows: To King [ruler, monarch] Darius [a title for Persian kings]: All [everything, entirety] peace [prosperity, well-being, shalom]. word study 8 Let it be known [to inform, to certify] to the king [ruler, monarch] that we went into the province [region, district] of Judah [the tribe of Judah], to the house [temple, dwelling place] of the great [mighty, abundant] God [Eloah, the one true God]. The people are rebuilding [constructing, restoring] it with large [great, rolled] stones, and placing [setting, appointing] timbers [wood, beams] in the walls [barriers, partitions]. This work [service, labor] is being carried out [done, performed] diligently [eagerly, with haste] and is prospering [advancing, succeeding] in their hands [power, ability]. word study 9 So we [then, at that time] questioned the [gray-haired, elderly] elders and asked, “Who [what person, what authority] authorized [gave a decree, commanded] you to rebuild [to construct, to restore] this temple [house, place of worship] and restore [to finish, to complete] this structure [wall, building]?” word study 10 We also [in addition, furthermore] asked for their names [identities, designations], so that we could write down [record, put into writing] the names [identities, designations] of their leaders [chiefs, heads] for your information [knowledge, awareness, to certify you]. word study 11 And this is the answer they returned: “We are [faithful] servants [bondservants, worshipers] of the God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of heaven [the sky and the spiritual realm] and earth [the land, the material world], and we are rebuilding [restoring, renovating] the temple [house of worship] that was built [constructed, established] many years ago [previously, in times past], which a great [exceedingly powerful, mighty] king of Israel [the nation, the people of God] built [constructed, founded] and completed [finished, brought to perfection]. word study 12 But since our fathers angered [provoke to wrath] the God [Elohim, supreme Creator] of heaven [the sky, the abode of God], He delivered them into the hand [power, authority] of Nebuchadnezzar [the Chaldean ruler] king of Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion], the Chaldean [a group of people known for astronomy and magic] who destroyed [demolished, tore down] this temple [house, a physical building] and carried away [exiled, took captive] the people [a nation, a group of individuals] to Babylon [a city of confusion, a place of exile]. word study 13 In his first [initial, beginning] year, however, Cyrus [the Persian king] king of Babylon [Babel, a city of confusion] issued a decree [command, official order] to rebuild [restore, reconstruct] this house [temple, dwelling place] of God [Elohim, the one true deity]. word study 14 He also [in addition, furthermore] removed from the temple [house of worship, sacred building] of Babylon [city of confusion, Babel] the gold [valuable metal] and silver [precious metal] articles [utensils, vessels] belonging to the house [dwelling place, temple] of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], which Nebuchadnezzar [king of Babylon, conqueror] had taken [seized, carried away] and carried [brought, transported] there from the temple [sacred building, house of worship] in Jerusalem [city of peace, capital of Judah]. King [monarch, ruler] Cyrus [Persian king, liberator] gave [delivered, entrusted] these articles [vessels, utensils] to a man named [designated, appointed] Sheshbazzar [Jewish leader, governor], whom he appointed [set, established] governor [leader, ruler] word study 15 and instructed, ‘Take these [utensils, vessels] articles, put them in the [place of worship, sanctuary] temple in [the city of peace, teaching of peace] Jerusalem, and let the [dwelling place, sanctuary] house of [the one true God, Elohim] God be rebuilt [constructed, restored] on its original [former] site [location, position].’ word study 16 So this [that same] Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation [base, starting point] of the house [temple, dwelling place] of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] in Jerusalem [the city of peace, teaching of peace], and from that time [then, at that point] until now [at this present moment] it has been under construction [in building, being built], but it has not yet been completed [finished, brought to an end].” word study 17 Now, therefore [at this present time], if it pleases [is acceptable to, seems good to] the king [ruler, monarch], let a search [examination, inquiry] be made of the royal archives [king’s treasure house, storehouse of important records] in Babylon [city of confusion, Babel] to see if King Cyrus [the Persian king who conquered Babylon] did indeed issue [give, decree] a decree [command, official order] to rebuild [restore, reconstruct] the house [temple, dwelling place] of God [Elohim, the one true God] in Jerusalem [city of peace, teaching of peace]. Then let the king send [dispatch, communicate] us his decision [pleasure, will] in this matter [concern, affair]. word study