📖 Ezra — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, RHaggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Ezra 5:2 Then Rrose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them RTatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
Ezra 5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that Tmake this building?
Ezra 5:5 RBut the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
Ezra 5:6 The Rcopy 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:
Ezra 5:7 They sent a letter unto him, Twherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, Rall peace.
Ezra 5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into Rthe province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with Tgreat stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
Ezra 5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, RWho commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
Ezra 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.
Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, RWe 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.
Ezra 5:12 RBut 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.
Ezra 5:13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
Ezra 5:14 And Rthe 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 Tgovernor;
Ezra 5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and Rlet the house of God be builded in his place.
Ezra 5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and Rlaid 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.
Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, Rlet 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 This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 5:1–5 — Prophetic encouragement renews the work
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Haggai and Zechariah speak in God's name, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua resume building with their help. Officials question the authorization, but the elders continue pending the king's decision. The narrator says God's eye is upon them. Renewed courage is joined with accountable explanation rather than concealment of the work.
Key Truth: Receive encouragement and answer questions honestly.
Check What You Remember
1. Name one prophet who encouraged the builders. (Ezra 5:1)
Find it in Ezra 5:1 (KJV).
2. Which two leaders began building again? (Ezra 5:2)
Find it in Ezra 5:2 (KJV).
3. Which governor questioned them? (Ezra 5:3)
Find it in Ezra 5:3 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 5:6–12 — The builders explain their history
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Tatnai's letter reports the work and the elders' response. They identify themselves as God's servants and acknowledge that their fathers' wrongdoing led to the former temple's destruction. Their explanation includes responsibility as well as achievement. Honest remembrance helps the present work avoid a self-serving version of the past.
Key Truth: Tell the truth about both help received and wrongdoing endured.
Check What You Remember
1. To which king was the letter sent? (Ezra 5:6)
Find it in Ezra 5:6 (KJV).
2. Whose servants did the elders say they were? (Ezra 5:11)
Find it in Ezra 5:11 (KJV).
3. Which king had destroyed the former temple? (Ezra 5:12)
Find it in Ezra 5:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 5:13–17 — The decree submitted for examination
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The elders explain Cyrus's decree and the return of the vessels through Sheshbazzar. Tatnai asks the king to search the records and decide. The chapter leaves the question with documented evidence rather than a mere assertion. Patient verification becomes part of the way the rebuilding is allowed to continue.
Key Truth: Support important claims with truthful evidence.
Check What You Remember
1. Which king had issued the building decree? (Ezra 5:13)
Find it in Ezra 5:13 (KJV).
2. Who received the vessels and laid the foundation according to the reply? (Ezra 5:14)
Find it in Ezra 5:14 (KJV).
3. What did Tatnai request in the royal records? (Ezra 5:17)
Find it in Ezra 5:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Haggai 1:14 — Haggai also records God's stirring of the leaders and remnant to work.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can encouragement and honest accountability help you resume a needed task?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How is renewed building connected with prophetic ministry?
2. Why does the work continue while the matter is referred to Darius?
3. How do the elders explain the destruction of the former house?
4. What role do the elders assign to Sheshbazzar?
5. What two royal actions does the letter request?
Notes
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