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Ezra 5

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 5 of 10

1 ¶ Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.

2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem. And with them were the prophets of God helping them.

3 ¶ At that time Tatnai, governor of the province Beyond the River, and Shethar-boznai, and their associates, came to them, and said this to them: Who has commanded you to build this house and to complete this wall?

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Chapter Summary

Zerubbabel and Jeshua start the building of the temple.

Key Hebrew Words

נְבִיא prophet H5029 · TWOT 2843a
בְּנָה build, rebuild H1124 · TWOT 2633
טְעֵם decree, order H2942 · TWOT 2757a
שִׂיב elders H7868 · TWOT 3008
מָאן vessels H3984 · TWOT 2820
אֹשׁ foundation H787 · TWOT 2613

People & Context

Zerubbabel

Son of Shealtiel who rises up with Jeshua to resume building the house of God in Jerusalem.

Jeshua

Son of Jozadak who joins Zerubbabel in rising up to rebuild the temple, aided by the prophets.

Tatnai

Governor Beyond the River who questions the builders' authority and writes to Darius about the work.

Haggai

Prophet who, with Zechariah, prophesies to the Jews and stirs the leaders to resume the building.

Zechariah

Prophet, son of Iddo, who prophesies to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem alongside Haggai.

Shethar-boznai

Persian official with Tatnai who confronts the builders and co-signs the inquiry sent to Darius.

Timeline

Prophets Encourage Resumption of Building

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesy to the Jews, encouraging Zerubbabel and Jeshua to rise up and begin rebuilding the house of God again.

Ezra 5:1-2
Tatnai Questions the Builders

Tatnai, governor Beyond the River, and Shethar-boznai interrogate the Jews about who authorized the building. God protects the elders, allowing work to continue while a report is sent to Darius.

Ezra 5:3-5
Tatnai Sends a Letter to Darius

Tatnai writes to Darius detailing the massive stones and timber being used, reports the Jews' claim that Cyrus issued a decree for the work, and requests a search of the royal archives in Babylon.

Ezra 5:6-17

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