Ezra 5:10 — Word Study
WLCוְאַ֧ף שְׁמָהָתְהֹ֛ם שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא לְּהֹ֖ם לְהוֹדָעוּתָ֑ךְ דִּ֛י נִכְתֻּ֥ב שֻׁם־ גֻּבְרַיָּ֖א דִּ֥י בְרָאשֵׁיהֹֽם׃ ס
BSAWe alsoʼaph [in addition, furthermore] asked forshᵉʼêl namesshum [identities, designations] so thatdîy we could write downkᵉthab [record, put into writing] the namesshum [identities, designations] of their leadersgᵉbar [chiefs, heads] for your informationyᵉdaʻ [knowledge, awareness, to certify you]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאַ֧ף | and also | Conjunction, adverb |
| שְׁמָהָתְהֹ֛ם | names their | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא | we asked | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common plural |
| לְּהֹ֖ם | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| לְהוֹדָעוּתָ֑ךְ | to make known to you | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common, suffix |
| דִּ֛י | that | Conjunction |
| נִכְתֻּ֥ב | we will write | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common plural |
| שֻׁם־ | [the] name of | Noun common, both singular construct |
| גֻּבְרַיָּ֖א | men the | Noun common masculine plural determined, particle |
| דִּ֥י | who | Conjunction |
| בְרָאשֵׁיהֹֽם׃ ס | [are] at heads their | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information. |
| KJV | We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. |
| ASV | We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them. |
| YLT | And also their names we have asked of them, to let thee know, that we might write the names of the men who [are] at their head. |
| WEB | We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head. |
| BBE | And we made request for their names, so that we might send you word, and give you the names of the men at the head of them. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of שְׁמָהָתְהֹ֛ם — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause with two subordinate phrases that clarify the purpose of the inquiry.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
verbשְׁאֵל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezra 5:10
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Inquiry about Authoritygenerated
Ezra 5:10 describes a moment when the builders of the temple questioned the elders about their authority and sought to document the names of their leaders. This inquiry emphasizes the importance of establishing legitimacy in their efforts to rebuild. The context shows a concern for proper records and accountability in leadership, which is crucial for the community's integrity.
Cross References
The Key Word — שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא, she.'E.le.na'generated
The verb שְׁאֵל (*she'el*) means 'to ask' or 'to request'. It is a common verb in Hebrew, indicating the act of seeking information or clarification. The parsing as a perfect first person plural indicates that the speakers are actively engaged in the inquiry.
This verb is used throughout the Hebrew Bible to express requests for information, making it a key term in understanding dialogues and interactions. Here, it underscores the importance of communication and the need for transparency in leadership.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא (*we asked*) governs the main clause, with several phrases hanging off it: a noun phrase indicating what was asked for, a prepositional phrase indicating to whom the information was directed, and another prepositional phrase indicating the purpose of the inquiry.
The structure emphasizes the act of questioning and the intent behind it, showing a clear flow from the action of asking to the purpose of documenting leadership.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שְׁאֵלְנָא as ἠρωτήσαμεν (*we asked*), which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice reflects a straightforward inquiry without additional interpretative layers.
The use of ὀνόματα for שְׁמָהָתְהֹ֛ם also shows a direct correspondence, maintaining the focus on names and identities in both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezra 5:10 shows that the builders asked the elders for the names of their leaders. They wanted to write these names down to ensure proper documentation and communication about who was in charge.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
They wanted to document the identities of the leaders to ensure proper authority and accountability in the rebuilding effort.
It shows their desire for transparency and legitimacy in their actions, as they sought to establish a clear record of leadership.
This verse highlights the importance of recognized authority and the need for clear communication within the community during the rebuilding process.
Their method of inquiry emphasizes the value of seeking information and clarity, which is essential for effective leadership and community engagement.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I apply the principle of seeking clarity in my own life and leadership roles?
- What are some ways I can ensure transparency in my interactions with others?
- Why is it important to document leadership and authority in any community or organization?
- In what situations have I seen the value of asking questions to gain better understanding?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezra 5:10 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWe asked their names also,.... The names of the elders, those that set men about this work: to certify that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them; take the names of them in
Read John Gill on Ezra 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezra 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzra 5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that [were] the chief of them.Ver. 10. We asked their names also] See Ezra 5:4. That were the chief of them] For the rude multitude follow as they are led. And as in a beast, the whole body goeth after the head, so do most people after their rulers and ringleaders; hence that severity of God, Numbers 25:4, "Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun."
Read John Trapp on Ezra 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10. We asked their names] R.V. we asked them their names. So the Aramaic. For the names of the Elders, cf. Ezra 2:2. the chief of them] R.V. at the head of them. Literally ‘at or in the heads of them’. The R.V. renders as if the word was in the singular; cf. 2 Chronicles 20:27, ‘Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them’, (lit. at their head). But the rendering ‘that were their heads’ would be equally correct, and would account for the use of the plural.
Read Cambridge on Ezra 5 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.
We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.
We also inquired of their names in order to inform you, so that we might write the names of the men who were their leaders.
Tyndale line
We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
We asked their names also, that we might certifie thee, and that we might write the names of the men that were their rulers.
Strictly literal
We asked their names also, to inform thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
And also their names we have asked of them, to let thee know, that we might write the names of the men who [are] at their head.
And also their names we have asked of them, to let you know, that we might write the names of the men who [are] at their head.
Also their names did we ask of them, to let thee know them, that we might write down the names of the men that are at their head.
We also asked them their names so you might know the name of each man who led them.
From the Latin
We asked also of them their names, that we might give thee notice: and we have written the names of the men that are the chief among them.
Simplified
We also asked for their names, so that we could write them down and let you know the names of their leaders.
And we made request for their names, so that we might send you word, and give you the names of the men at the head of them.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree, with 9 out of 11 words matching. The differences in word order and phrasing in the Septuagint do not alter the essential meaning conveyed in the Hebrew text.
וְאַ֧ף שְׁמָהָתְהֹ֛ם שְׁאֵ֥לְנָא לְּהֹ֖ם לְהוֹדָעוּתָ֑ךְ דִּ֛י נִכְתֻּ֥ב שֻׁם־ גֻּבְרַיָּ֖א דִּ֥י בְרָאשֵׁיהֹֽם׃ ס
9 of the 11 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezra 5:10
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אַף (*aph*) means 'also' or 'yea.' It is noted as an Aramaic term corresponding to another word, אַף (*aph*), which has a similar meaning. The entries indicate that it is used in contexts that require a conjunction or affirmation.
H638 אַף
638 'aph af
(Aramaic) corresponding to 637:--also.
see HEBREW for 0637
אַף (aph) — also.
also, yea
Aramaic of aph (אַף "also" H0637)
Adj | DirObjM — Conjunction · adverbAC/D
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
שֻׁם (shum) means 'name' in Aramaic, corresponding to the Hebrew word שֵׁם (shem, H8034). The entries indicate that it is primarily used in contexts related to naming.
H8036 שֻׁם
8036 shum shoom
(Aramaic) corresponding to 8034:--name.
see HEBREW for 08034
שֻׁם (shum) — name.
name
Aramaic of shem (שֵׁם "name" H8034)
Adj | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixANcfpc/Sp3mp
שְׁאֵל (sh'el) means to ask or request. It can refer to asking for something or inquiring about a matter. The word is related to the Hebrew root found in H7592, which also conveys similar meanings. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons regarding its definition.
שְׁאֵל vb. ask (v. BH [v.ag.aa]);—Pe.
ask for, request
inquire about, for
base
H7593 שְׁאֵל ask (v. BH [7592]);—Pe. . ask for, request
. inquire about, for
7593 sh'el sheh-ale'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 7592:--ask, demand, require.
see HEBREW for 07592
שְׁאֵל (she.el) — to ask.
1) to ask
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to ask for, request
1a2) to enquire for or about
Adj — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common pluralAVqp1cp
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
AR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixAR/Sp3mp
יְדַע (yda) means 'to know' and encompasses various forms of knowledge and communication. It can refer to knowing something personally or causing someone else to know. The entries indicate its use in both Hebrew and Aramaic contexts, with a focus on the act of informing or teaching.
יְדַע vb. know
Pe. know
Haph. cause to know, inform
base
H3046 יְדַע
3046 yda` yed-ah'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 3045:--certify, know, make known,
teach.
see HEBREW for 03045
יְדַע (ye.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (P'al) to know
1b) (Aphel) to let someone know, communicate, inform, cause to know
Adj | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffixAR/Vhcc/Sp2ms
דִּי (diy) is an Aramaic word meaning 'that,' functioning as a relative conjunction and a preposition in various contexts. It can indicate relationships such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'because,' and is used in adverbial phrases. The entries highlight its role in connecting clauses and marking possession.
דִּי part. of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of gen. and conj. that, because
base
H1768 דִּי
1768 diy dee
(Aramaic) apparently for 1668; that, used as relative
conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial
phrases; also as preposition of:--X as, but, for(-asmuch +), +
now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what
(-soever), when, which, whom, whose.
see HEBREW for 01668
דִּי (di) — that.
part of relation
1) who, which, that
mark of genitive
2) that of, which belongs to, that
conj
3) that, because
Adj — ConjunctionAC
כְּתַב (kethab) means 'to write' and is related to the Aramaic term for writing. The entries indicate its use in the P'al form, suggesting both the act of writing and the state of being written. It is connected to the Hebrew root found in H3789.
כְּתַב vb. write
Pe.
Pe‛îl thus (it) was written
base
H3790 כְּתַב
3790 kthab keth-ab'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 3789:--write(-ten).
see HEBREW for 03789
כְּתַב (ke.tav) — to write.
1) to write
1a) (P'al) to write, to be written
Adj — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common pluralAVqi1cp
שֻׁם (shum) means 'name' in Aramaic, corresponding to the Hebrew word שֵׁם (shem, H8034). The entries indicate that it is primarily used in contexts related to naming.
H8036 שֻׁם
8036 shum shoom
(Aramaic) corresponding to 8034:--name.
see HEBREW for 08034
שֻׁם (shum) — name.
name
Aramaic of shem (שֵׁם "name" H8034)
Adj — Noun common · both singular constructANcbsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גְּבַר (gbar) means 'man' or 'a certain one' in Aramaic. It is related to the Hebrew word גֶּ֫בֶר (gever), which translates to 'great man.' The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as a noun referring to a man.
גְּבַר 21 n.m. man
base
H1400 גְּבַר
1400 gbar gheb-ar'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1399:--certain, man.
see HEBREW for 01399
גְּבַר (ge.var) — man.
a man, a certain (one)
Aramaic of ge.ver (גֶּ֫בֶר "great man" H1397)
Adj | Art — Noun common masculine plural determined · particleANcmpd/Ta
דִּי (diy) is an Aramaic word meaning 'that,' functioning as a relative conjunction and a preposition in various contexts. It can indicate relationships such as 'who,' 'which,' or 'because,' and is used in adverbial phrases. The entries highlight its role in connecting clauses and marking possession.
דִּי part. of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of gen. and conj. that, because
base
H1768 דִּי
1768 diy dee
(Aramaic) apparently for 1668; that, used as relative
conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial
phrases; also as preposition of:--X as, but, for(-asmuch +), +
now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what
(-soever), when, which, whom, whose.
see HEBREW for 01668
דִּי (di) — that.
part of relation
1) who, which, that
mark of genitive
2) that of, which belongs to, that
conj
3) that, because
AC — ConjunctionAC
רֵאשׁ (re'sh) means 'head' in Hebrew, and can refer to a person's head, the chief or leader of a group, or the essential content of matters. The word is built from the concept of being at the top or forefront, covering meanings related to leadership and summation. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its figurative use.
רֵאשׁ n.m. head
head
head as seat of vision
= chief
sum, essential content, of matters
base
H7217 רֵאשׁ
7217 re'sh raysh
(Aramaic) corresponding to 7218; the head; figuratively, the
sum:--chief, head, sum.
see HEBREW for 07218
רֵאשׁ (resh) — head.
1) chief, head
1a) head (of man)
1b) head (as seat of visions)
1c) chief
1d) sum (essential content)
AR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixAR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp