Ezra 5:8
Ezra 5:8 in Multiple Translations
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.
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.
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
This is to give the king word that we went into the land of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is made of great stones, and has its walls supported with wood, and the work is going on with industry, and they are doing it well.
We wish to inform Your Majesty that we went to the province of Judah, to the Temple of the great God. It is being built with large stones, with timber beams being placed on the walls. This work is being done properly and is progressing well.
Be it knowen vnto the King, that we went into the prouince of Iudea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and beames are layde in the walles, and this worke is wrought speedily, and prospereth in their hands.
'To Darius the king, all peace! be it known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the great house of God, and it is built [with] rolled stones, and wood is placed in the walls, and this work is done speedily, and prospering in their hand.
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work proceedeth rapidly, and prospereth in their hands.
Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently, and advanceth in their hands.
“We want you to know that we went to Judah Province, where the temple of the great God is being rebuilt. The people are building it with huge stones, and they are putting wooden beams in the walls. The work is being done very carefully, and they are progressing well.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 5:8
BAB
Word Study
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Ezra 5:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְדִ֣יעַ
לֶהֱוֵ֣א
לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/א
דִּֽי
אֲזַ֜לְנָא
לִ/יה֤וּד
מְדִֽינְתָּ/א֙
לְ/בֵית֙
אֱלָהָ֣/א
רַבָּ֔/א
וְ/ה֤וּא
מִתְבְּנֵא֙
אֶ֣בֶן
גְּלָ֔ל
וְ/אָ֖ע
מִתְּשָׂ֣ם
בְּ/כֻתְלַיָּ֑/א
וַ/עֲבִ֥ידְתָּ/א
דָ֛ךְ
אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא
מִתְעַבְדָ֖א
וּ/מַצְלַ֥ח
בְּ/יֶדְ/הֹֽם
יְדִ֣יעַ
yᵉdaʻ
H3046
to know
Adj
לֶהֱוֵ֣א
hâvâʼ
H1934
to be
Adj
לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | N-ms | Art
דִּֽי
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
אֲזַ֜לְנָא
ʼăzal
H236
to go
Adj
לִ/יה֤וּד
Yᵉhûwd
H3061
Judah
Adj | N-proper
מְדִֽינְתָּ/א֙
mᵉdîynâh
H4083
province
Adj | Art
לְ/בֵית֙
bayith
H1005
house
Adj | N-ms
אֱלָהָ֣/א
ʼĕlâhh
H426
god
Adj | Art
רַבָּ֔/א
rab
H7229
great
Adj | Art
וְ/ה֤וּא
hûwʼ
H1932
he/she/it
Adj | Pron
מִתְבְּנֵא֙
bᵉnâʼ
H1124
to build
Adj
אֶ֣בֶן
ʼeben
H69
stone
Adj
גְּלָ֔ל
gᵉlâl
H1560
great
Adj
וְ/אָ֖ע
ʼâʻ
H636
wood
Adj | N-ms
מִתְּשָׂ֣ם
sûwm
H7761
to set
Adj
בְּ/כֻתְלַיָּ֑/א
kᵉthal
H3797
wall
Adj | N-mp | Art
וַ/עֲבִ֥ידְתָּ/א
ʻăbîydâh
H5673
service
Adj | N-fs | Art
דָ֛ךְ
dêk
H1791
this
Adj
אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא
ʼoçparnâʼ
H629
diligently
Adj
מִתְעַבְדָ֖א
ʻăbad
H5648
to make
Adj
וּ/מַצְלַ֥ח
tsᵉlach
H6744
to prosper
Adj | V-a
בְּ/יֶדְ/הֹֽם
yad
H3028
hand
Adj | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 5:8
יְדִ֣יעַ
yᵉdaʻ
H3046
"to know"
Adj
To know in Hebrew can also mean to let someone know or communicate, and is used in different forms, such as to certify, inform, or teach, in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (P'al) to know 1b) (Aphel) to let someone know, communicate, inform, cause to know
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: certify, know, make known, teach. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 2:30; Daniel 7:16.
לֶהֱוֵ֣א
hâvâʼ
H1934
"to be"
Adj
Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.
Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.
לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | N-ms | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
דִּֽי
dîy
H1768
"that"
Adj
This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.
Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because
Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.
אֲזַ֜לְנָא
ʼăzal
H236
"to go"
Adj
The Hebrew word for to go or depart, often translated as go up. It appears in various contexts, including when someone leaves a place or moves upward. This verb is used in several books, including Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) to go, to go off 1a) (P'al) to go, go off
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: go (up). See also: Ezra 4:23; Daniel 2:17; Daniel 6:20.
לִ/יה֤וּד
Yᵉhûwd
H3061
"Judah"
Adj | N-proper
Judah refers to the son of Israel and Leah, and the tribe that descended from him. He is mentioned in Genesis 29:35 and is the brother of Reuben and Simeon. The term also refers to the region of Judaea.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Aramaic of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) Judah-the territory of the tribe of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: Jewry, Judah, Judea. See also: Ezra 5:1; Daniel 2:25; Daniel 6:14.
מְדִֽינְתָּ/א֙
mᵉdîynâh
H4083
"province"
Adj | Art
In the Bible, a province refers to a region or district under a judge's authority. It appears in books like Daniel and Ezra, describing areas within ancient empires. The term is often translated as 'province' in the KJV.
Definition: district, province Aramaic of me.di.nah (מְדִינָה "province" H4082)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: province. See also: Ezra 4:15; Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:30.
לְ/בֵית֙
bayith
H1005
"house"
Adj | N-ms
This Hebrew word for house is similar to H1004, but it primarily refers to a physical building, either a home or a temple. It is used in many passages, including those describing the construction of the temple in 1 Kings. The word emphasizes the idea of a physical structure.
Definition: 1) house (of men) 2) house (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: house. See also: Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:11.
אֱלָהָ֣/א
ʼĕlâhh
H426
"god"
Adj | Art
This word means God, referring to the God of Israel or a heathen deity, as seen in various KJV translations. It is used to describe a divine being.
Definition: 1) god, God 1a) god, heathen deity 1b) God (of Israel)
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: God, god. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 2:19; Jeremiah 10:11.
רַבָּ֔/א
rab
H7229
"great"
Adj | Art
Means great or abundant, used to describe powerful leaders like captains or chiefs in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: adj 1) great 1a) great 1b) great (fig of power) n 2) captain, chief
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, great, lord, master, stout. See also: Ezra 4:10; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:20.
וְ/ה֤וּא
hûwʼ
H1932
"he/she/it"
Adj | Pron
This Hebrew word means 'he', 'she', or 'it', often used to emphasize the subject of a sentence, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also be used as a demonstrative, meaning 'this' or 'that'.
Definition: 1) he, she, it 1a) (emphasising and resuming subject) 1b)(anticipating subj) 1c) as demons pron 1d) (relative) 1e) (affirming existence)
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] are, it, this. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 7:24.
מִתְבְּנֵא֙
bᵉnâʼ
H1124
"to build"
Adj
This word means to build or construct something, and is used in the Bible to describe physical construction. It appears in various forms, including 'build' and 'make', and is an important concept in biblical descriptions of creation and architecture.
Definition: 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: build, make. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:27.
אֶ֣בֶן
ʼeben
H69
"stone"
Adj
The Hebrew word for stone, used to describe a rock or material for building and idol-making, found throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) stone 1a) a (the) stone 1b) stone, material of idols and buildings
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: stone. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 6:18.
גְּלָ֔ל
gᵉlâl
H1560
"great"
Adj
This word describes something as great or large in size, like a rolled or heavy object. It is used in the Bible to describe the greatness of God and His works, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Definition: rolling Aramaic of ga.lal (גָּלַל "to roll" H1556)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: great. See also: Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:4.
וְ/אָ֖ע
ʼâʻ
H636
"wood"
Adj | N-ms
In biblical times, wood was a valuable resource, used for building and fuel, as seen in 1 Kings 5:10 where Solomon prepares timber for the temple. The word for wood appears in various contexts, including the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 25:10.
Definition: wood, beam, timber Aramaic of ets (עֵץ ": wood" H6086)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: timber, wood. See also: Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 5:23.
מִתְּשָׂ֣ם
sûwm
H7761
"to set"
Adj
This word is similar to H7760, but is more focused on setting or appointing someone or something to a specific role or task. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's commands and appointments.
Definition: 1) to set, make, appoint 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to make, make decree, setout (decree) 1a2) to make, appoint 1a3) to set, fix 1b) (Ithp'al) to be made, be set, be laid
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] command, give, lay, make, [phrase] name, [phrase] regard, set. See also: Ezra 4:19; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:27.
בְּ/כֻתְלַיָּ֑/א
kᵉthal
H3797
"wall"
Adj | N-mp | Art
This word also means a wall, similar to H3796, and is used in the Bible to describe a physical barrier. It is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew word for wall.
Definition: a wall Aramaic of ko.tel (כֹּ֫תֶל "wall" H3796)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: wall. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 5:5.
וַ/עֲבִ֥ידְתָּ/א
ʻăbîydâh
H5673
"service"
Adj | N-fs | Art
This word refers to work or service, like the kind of labor or business that people do, and can also describe ritual or worship in a religious context.
Definition: 1) work, service, ritual, worship 1a) work, administration 1b) ritual, service
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: affairs, service, work. See also: Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:18; Daniel 3:12.
דָ֛ךְ
dêk
H1791
"this"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means 'this', used to point out a specific thing or person, similar to the Aramaic word 'zeh'.
Definition: this Aramaic of zeh (זֶה "this" H2088)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: the same, this. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:12.
אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא
ʼoçparnâʼ
H629
"diligently"
Adj
This word means to do something diligently or eagerly, like when someone works hard or responds quickly. It is used to describe urgent actions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) thoroughly 2) (CLBL) eagerly, diligently
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: fast, forthwith, speed(-ily). See also: Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:13; Ezra 7:26.
מִתְעַבְדָ֖א
ʻăbad
H5648
"to make"
Adj
This word means to make or do something, and can also imply preparing or keeping something, as seen in the creation story in Genesis. It is a versatile verb that can be used in different ways, including creating, performing, or executing something. The word is found in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to make, do 1a)(P'al) 1a1) to make, create 1a2) to do, perform 1b) (Ithp'al) 1b1) to be made into 1b2) to be done, be wrought, be performed, be executed, be carried out
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] cut, do, execute, go on, make, move, work. See also: Ezra 4:15; Ezra 7:26; Jeremiah 10:11.
וּ/מַצְלַ֥ח
tsᵉlach
H6744
"to prosper"
Adj | V-a
To advance or cause to prosper, similar to the way God blessed the Israelites in the book of Exodus. This word is used to show prosperity and success. It is an Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew word for prosper.
Definition: 1) to prosper 1a) (Aphel) 1a1) to cause to prosper 1a2) show prosperity, be prosperous, have success, be successful
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: promote, prosper. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:30; Daniel 6:29.
בְּ/יֶדְ/הֹֽם
yad
H3028
"hand"
Adj | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word for 'hand' represents power, ability, or direction. It is often used figuratively to describe God's strength or human capability. The Bible uses 'yad' to convey a sense of power or control.
Definition: 1) hand 2) power (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: hand, power. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 7:25.
Study Notes — Ezra 5:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezra 5:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezra 5:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 5:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
- Cambridge Bible on Ezra 5:8
- Barnes' Notes on Ezra 5:8
- Sermons on Ezra 5:8
Context — Tattenai’s Letter to Darius
6This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.
7The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: All peace.
8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.
9So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” 10We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 7:6 | These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, |
| 2 | Mark 13:1–2 | As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” |
| 3 | Daniel 3:26 | Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, |
| 4 | Nehemiah 11:3 | These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants— |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 10:17 | For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. |
| 6 | Daniel 6:26 | I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. |
| 7 | Ezra 2:1 | Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, |
| 8 | Ezra 7:23 | Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for His house. For why should wrath fall on the realm of the king and his sons? |
| 9 | Psalms 145:3 | Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. |
| 10 | Ezra 1:2–3 | “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. |
Ezra 5:8 Summary
[Ezra 5:8 tells us that the Israelites were rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, and they were working hard to do it. They were using large stones and timbers to make the Temple strong, just like Solomon did when he first built it, as seen in 1 Kings 5:17. This shows that they were committed to their work and wanted to do it well, with God's help, as seen in Psalm 127:1. As we read this verse, we can remember that God is always with us and helps us in our work, if we trust in Him, as seen in Isaiah 41:10 and Matthew 28:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'house of the great God' mentioned in Ezra 5:8?
The 'house of the great God' refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was a place of worship for the Israelites, as seen in Ezra 5:8 and other passages like 1 Kings 8:13 and 2 Chronicles 2:1.
Who are the people rebuilding the Temple in Ezra 5:8?
The people rebuilding the Temple are the Israelites who had returned from exile in Babylon, as mentioned in Ezra 1:1-4 and Ezra 2:1, with the help of God and the permission of King Cyrus, as seen in Ezra 1:1-4 and Isaiah 44:28.
What does it mean that the work is 'being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands' in Ezra 5:8?
This phrase means that the Israelites are working hard and carefully to rebuild the Temple, and God is blessing their efforts, causing the work to succeed, as seen in Psalm 90:17 and Proverbs 10:4.
Why did the officials send a report to King Darius about the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra 5:8?
The officials sent a report to King Darius to inform him about the activities of the Israelites and to determine if they had the king's permission to rebuild the Temple, as seen in Ezra 5:6-7 and Esther 8:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be diligent in my own work, just like the Israelites rebuilding the Temple?
- How can I trust that God will prosper my efforts, just like He did for the Israelites in Ezra 5:8?
- What are some things that I can do to help rebuild or restore something that is broken or in need of repair, whether it's a physical structure or a relationship?
- How can I balance the need for hard work and diligence with the need to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in Psalm 127:1-2 and Proverbs 21:31?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 5:8
Be it known unto the king,.... This seems to have been the usual form of beginning a letter to a king in those days, Ezra 4:12 that we went into the province of Judea; which from a kingdom was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 5:8
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
The great God; whom the Jews account the great God, the God of gods, esteeming all others to be but little and false gods.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
Ezra 5:8 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.Ver. 8. To the house of the great God] So they style him, because the Pews called and counted him so. The Lord your God, saith Moses, is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, &c., Deuteronomy 10:17. He is Fortissimus Maximus, Most strong and most great. as Tremelius there renders it: yea, he is a degree above the superlative. Not only is God great, as here; greater, Job 33:12; greatest, Psalms 95:3; but greatness itself, Psalms 145:3, and to him all other gods (whether deputed or reputed) are but deastri, deunculi, dii minorum gentium, petty deities, poor businesses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
(8) To the house of the great God.—A solemn tribute to the God of the Jews, which, however, the decree of Cyrus enables us to understand in this official document. Tatnai probably dwelt at Damascus, and when he went to Jerusalem was deeply impressed. But he only gives a statement of the progress which he observed in the Temple. “The walls here are the walls within the Temple, not the city walls.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 5:8
Verse 8. With great stones] They are making a very strong and a very costly building.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 5:8
8. the province of Judea] R.V. the province of Judah. On ‘the province’ see Ezra 2:1. The A.V. gives the title ‘Judea’, which belongs to a later time, as the name of a country inhabited by the Jews. It occurs first in the Apocrypha (Tob 1:18; 1Ma 3:34; 2Ma 1:10, &c.). ‘Judah’ occurs frequently in Ezra, e.g. Ezra 4:6, Ezra 5:1. The LXX. gives εἰςτὴνἸονδαίανχώραν: the Vulgate ‘ad Judζam provinciam’. to the house of the great God] The governor uses terms of great reverence towards the God of the Jews. In consequence some have called in question the genuineness of this letter. But there is in reality nothing unusual in the use of such expressions by Eastern potentates with reference to the gods of a conquered or subject country. with great stones] Literally ‘stones of rolling’. Stone, that is to say, too large for ordinary transport and requiring to be moved on rollers. The immense size of the stones used in the construction of the temples in early days is an unending source of amazement, e.g.
Baalbec. The LXX. renders by ‘chosen stones’ 1Es 6:9, by ‘polished stones very precious’: misunderstanding the original. Such adjectives applied to the foundations of the Temple were perhaps before the mind of the Apostle when he employs the metaphor of the building, cf. 1 Peter 2:4-7 (Isaiah 28:16). Vulg. ‘lapide impolito’. timber is laid in the walls] i.e. beams or joists for supporting floor or roof. Some suggest party-walls, for the division of chambers. goeth fast on] R.V. goeth on with diligence. ‘With diligence’, a Persian word ‘osparna’ (used also Ezra 6:8; Ezra 6:12-13, Ezra 7:17; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:26) which denotes care and attention as well as energy. in their hands] referring to the Jews, implied in the words ‘the province of Judah’.
Barnes' Notes on Ezra 5:8
Great stones - literally, as in the margin; i. e., stones so large that they were rolled along, not carried. Others translate “polished stones.”
Sermons on Ezra 5:8
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Bitter Disappointment by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the disappointment and self-disgust that can come from personal failures. He shares a testimony of a young man who grew up in a Chr |
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(Through the Bible) Mark 13 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Jesus is urging his followers to be watchful and ready for his return, as the exact timing is unknown. He compares his return to a master of a house who could come |
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Mark 13 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby discusses the prophetic warnings given by Jesus regarding the judgment of Jerusalem and the trials that His disciples would face in the absence of His physical pr |
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Mark 13:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the grandeur of Herod's temple and the shocking prophecy of Jesus that it would be completely destroyed, leaving not one stone upon another. He highlights th |
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Homily 8 on Ephesians by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the power and blessings of enduring tribulations and being bound for Christ's sake, drawing insights from the experiences of Paul, the three Children |
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Stand Fast - I Cor. 16:13 by Bernard Fell | Bernard Fell preaches on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel, highlighting their unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution and the fi |
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Attributes of God (Series 1): The Justice of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a judge being caught between mercy and justice. He uses the example of a man torn between his love for a woman and his sense o |