Ezra 5 explained: Rebuilding Resumes and Gets Questioned

Prophets restart the work (vv. 1-2)

Work on the temple had stalled for years after local opposition, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah now urged the people to finish it. Zerubbabel, the Jewish governor, and Joshua, the high priest, led the building, with the prophets alongside them.

Officials ask questions (vv. 3-5)

Tattenai governed the huge Persian province west of the Euphrates River, which included Judah, and he came to ask who had authorized the building and who was in charge. The writer says God was watching over the Jewish leaders, so the work was allowed to continue while the question went to King Darius.

The governor's report (vv. 6-10)

The letter is formal and fairly neutral, describing massive stones, timber in the walls and fast progress. Unlike the hostile letter in the previous chapter, it simply reports what the officials saw and asked.

The builders' answer (vv. 11-16)

The leaders explain that they are rebuilding the temple a great king (Solomon) once built, and admit it was destroyed because their ancestors had turned from God. They point to the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king who had returned the temple's gold and silver and sent Sheshbazzar to lay the foundation, though scholars are unsure how Sheshbazzar relates to Zerubbabel.

Check the records (v. 17)

Tattenai asks the king to search the royal archives for Cyrus's decree. Persian royal orders generally stayed in force unless revoked, so finding it would settle the matter.

Key verse: Ezra 5:5

Something to think about

The builders told a powerful official their story plainly, including their ancestors' failures; what do you think is gained or risked by being that honest about your past with someone who holds power over you?