Ezra 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Haggai - and Zechariah - These are the same whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets. The son of Iddo - That is, the grandson of Iddo; for Zechariah was the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo. See his prophecy, Zac 1:1 (note).
Open source ↗ZERUBBABEL AND JESHUA SET FORWARD THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE IN THE REIGN OF DARIUS. (Ezra 5:1-17) Then the prophets . . . prophesied . . . in the name of the God of Israel--From the recorded writings of Haggai and Zechariah, it appears that the difficulties experienced and the many obstacles thrown in the way had first cooled the zeal of the Jews in the building of the temple, and then led to an abandonment of the work, under a pretended belief that the time for rebuilding it had not yet come (Hag 1:2-11). For fifteen years the work was completely suspended. These two prophets upbraided them with severe reproaches for their sloth, negligence, and worldly selfishness (Hag 1:4), threatened them with severe judgments if they continued backward, and promised that they would be blessed with great national prosperity if they resumed and prosecuted the work with alacrity and vigor. Zechariah the son of Iddo--that is, grandson (Zac 1:1).
Open source ↗Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo,.... The grandson of Iddo; for he was the son of Berechiah, Zac 1:1, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel; this they both did in the second year of Darius; the one began in the sixth month, and the other in the eighth month of the year, Hag 1:1, even "unto them"; or "against them", as De Dieu; reproving them for their sloth and neglect of building the temple, when they were careful enough to raise up goodly houses for themselves to dwell in; and for being intimidated by the command of the king of Persia, which only forbid the building of the city, that is, the walls of it, but not the temple any more than their own houses; and besides, there was now a new king, from whom they had not so much to fear.
Open source ↗"The prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel upon them." חתנבּי without א, which this word occasionally loses in Hebrew also, comp. Sa1 10:6, Sa1 10:13; Jer 26:9. The epithet נביּאה added to the name of Haggai serves to distinguish him from others of the same name, and as well as הנּביא, Hagg. Hag 1:1, Hag 1:3, Hag 1:12, and elsewhere, is used instead of the name of his father; hence, after Zechariah is named, the prophets, as designating the position of both, can follow. על־יהוּדיא, they prophesied to (not against) the Jews; על as in Eze 37:4, = אל, Eze 37:9; Eze 36:1. The Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, in contradistinction to Jews dwelling elsewhere, especially to those who had remained in Babylon. עליהון belongs to אלהּ בּשׁם, in the name of God, who was upon them, who was come upon them, had manifested Himself to them. Comp. Jer 15:16. Ezr 5:2 "Then rose up Zerubbabel ... and Joshua ... and began to build the house of God at Jerusalem, and with them the prophets of God helping them." The beginning to build is (Ezr 3:6, etc.) the commencement of the building properly so called, upon the foundations laid, Ezr 3:10; for what was done after this foundation-laying till a stop was put to the work, was so unimportant that no further notice is taken of it. The "prophets of God" are those mentioned Ezr 5:1, viz., Haggai, and Zechariah the son, i.e., grandson, of Iddo, for his father's name was Berechiah (see Introd. to Zechariah). Haggai entered upon his work on the first day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius; and his first address made such an impression, that Zerubbabel and Joshua with the people set about the intermitted work of building as early as the twenty…
Open source ↗Some reckon that the building of the temple was suspended for only nine years; I am willing to believe that fifteen years were the utmost. During this time they had an altar and a tabernacle, which no doubt they made use of. When we cannot do what we would we must do what we can in the service of God, and be sorry we can do no better. But the counsellors that were hired to hinder the work (Ezr 4:5) told them, and perhaps with a pretence to inspiration, that the time had not come for the building of the temple (Hag 1:2), urging that it was long ere the time came for the building of Solomon's temple; and thus the people were made easy in their own ceiled houses, while God's house lay waste. Now here we are told how life was put into that good cause which seemed to lie dead. I. They had two good ministers, who, in God's name, earnestly persuaded them to put the wheel of business in motion again. Observe, 1. Who these ministers were, namely, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who both began to prophesy in the second year of Darius, as appears, Hag 1:1; Zac 1:1. Note, (1.) The temple of God among men is to be built by prophecy, not by secular force (that often hinders it, but seldom furthers it), but by the word of God. As the weapons of our warfare, so the instruments of our building, are not carnal, but spiritual, and they are the ministers of the gospel that are the master-builders. (2.) It is the business of God's prophets to stir up God's people to that which is good, and to help them in it, to strengthen their hands, and, by suitable considerations fetched from the word of God, to quicken them to their duty and encourage them in it. (3.) It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people when he raises up prophets among them to be their helpers in the way and work o…
Open source ↗5:1 Haggai first prophesied on August 29, 520 BC (Hag 1:1). Zechariah began prophesying about two months later (Zech 1:1). The books of Haggai and Zechariah record their messages (see also Ezra 6:14).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נְבִיא (nᵉbîyʼ, H5029) — a prophet חַגַּי (Chaggay, H2292) — Chaggai, a Hebrew prophet זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites בַּר (bar, H1247) — a son, grandson, etc. עִדּוֹ (ʻIddôw, H5714) — Iddo (or Iddi), the name of five Israelites נְבָא (nᵉbâʼ, H5013) — {to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) to… עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… יְהוּדָאִי (Yᵉhûwdâʼîy, H3062) — a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew יְהוּד (Yᵉhûwd, H3061) — properly, Judah, hence, Judaea יְרוּשָׁלֵם (Yᵉrûwshâlêm, H3390) — {Jerusalem} שֻׁם (shum, H8036) — {an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3479) — {Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity}
Open source ↗אֱדַיִן (ʼĕdayin, H116) — then (of time) קוּם (qûwm, H6966) — {to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)} זְרֻבָּבֶל (Zᵉrubbâbel, H2217) — {Zerubbabel, an Israelite} בַּר (bar, H1247) — a son, grandson, etc. שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל (Shᵉʼaltîyʼêl, H7598) — {Shealtiel, an Israelite} יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3443) — {Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine} יוֹצָדָק (Yôwtsâdâq, H3136) — Jotsadak, an Israelite שְׁרֵא (shᵉrêʼ, H8271) — to free, separate; figuratively, to unravel, commence; by implication (of unloading… בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God יְרוּשָׁלֵם (Yᵉrûwshâlêm, H3390) — {Jerusalem} עִם (ʻim, H5974) — {adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… נְבִיא (nᵉbîyʼ, H5029) — a prophet
Open source ↗זְמָן (zᵉmân, H2166) — {an appointed occasion} אָתָה (ʼâthâh, H858) — {to arrive} תַּתְּנַי (Tattᵉnay, H8674) — Tattenai, a Persian פֶּחָה (pechâh, H6347) — {a prefect (of a city or small district)} עֲבַר (ʻăbar, H5675) — {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… נְהַר (nᵉhar, H5103) — a river, especially the Euphrates שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי (Shᵉthar Bôwzᵉnay, H8370) — Shethar-Bozenai, a Persian officer כְּנָת (kᵉnâth, H3675) — {a colleague (as having the same title)} אֲמַר (ʼămar, H560) — {to say (used with great latitude)} כֵּן (kên, H3652) — so עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… מָן (mân, H4479) — who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7761) — {to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… טְעֵם (ṭᵉʻêm, H2942) — properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account…
Open source ↗אֱדַיִן (ʼĕdayin, H116) — then (of time) אֲמַר (ʼămar, H560) — {to say (used with great latitude)} כְּנֵמָא (kᵉnêmâʼ, H3660) — so or thus מָן (mân, H4479) — who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively) אִנּוּן (ʼinnûwn, H581) — they שֻׁם (shum, H8036) — {an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… גְּבַר (gᵉbar, H1400) — {a person} בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this בִּנְיָן (binyân, H1147) — {an edifice}
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5870) — an eye אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1934) — to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other… עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… שִׂיב (sîyb, H7868) — {properly, to become aged, i.e. (by implication) to grow gray} יְהוּדָאִי (Yᵉhûwdâʼîy, H3062) — a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew לָא (lâʼ, H3809) — {not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no;} בְּטֵל (bᵉṭêl, H989) — to stop הִמּוֹ (himmôw, H1994) — they עַד (ʻad, H5705) — {as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while,… טַעַם (ṭaʻam, H2941) — properly, a taste, i.e. ajudicial sentence הוּךְ (hûwk, H1946) — to go; causatively, to bring דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1868) — {Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings} אֱדַיִן (ʼĕdayin, H116) — then (of time)
Open source ↗פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen, H6573) — {a transcript} אִגְּרָא (ʼiggᵉrâʼ, H104) — an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman) תַּתְּנַי (Tattᵉnay, H8674) — Tattenai, a Persian פֶּחָה (pechâh, H6347) — {a prefect (of a city or small district)} עֲבַר (ʻăbar, H5675) — {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… נְהַר (nᵉhar, H5103) — a river, especially the Euphrates שְׁתַר בּוֹזְנַי (Shᵉthar Bôwzᵉnay, H8370) — Shethar-Bozenai, a Persian officer כְּנָת (kᵉnâth, H3675) — {a colleague (as having the same title)} אֲפַרְסְכַי (ʼĂpharçᵉkay, H671) — an Apharsekite or Apharsathkite, an unknown Assyrian tribe שְׁלַח (shᵉlach, H7972) — {to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)} עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1868) — {Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings} מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king
Open source ↗שְׁלַח (shᵉlach, H7972) — {to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)} פִּתְגָּם (pithgâm, H6600) — a word, answer, letter or decree עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… גַּו (gav, H1459) — the middle כְּתַב (kᵉthab, H3790) — {to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)} דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1868) — {Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings} מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king כֹּל (kôl, H3606) — {properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… שְׁלָם (shᵉlâm, H8001) — prosperity
Open source ↗הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1934) — to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other… יְדַע (yᵉdaʻ, H3046) — {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king אֲזַל (ʼăzal, H236) — to depart מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4083) — {properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… יְהוּד (Yᵉhûwd, H3061) — properly, Judah, hence, Judaea בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} רַב (rab, H7229) — {abundant} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build גְּלָל (gᵉlâl, H1560) — weight or size (as if rolled) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H69) — {a stone} אָע (ʼâʻ, H636) — a tree or wood שׂוּם (sûwm, H7761) — {to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and…
Open source ↗אֱדַיִן (ʼĕdayin, H116) — then (of time) שְׁאֵל (shᵉʼêl, H7593) — {to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand} אִלֵּךְ (ʼillêk, H479) — these שִׂיב (sîyb, H7868) — {properly, to become aged, i.e. (by implication) to grow gray} אֲמַר (ʼămar, H560) — {to say (used with great latitude)} כְּנֵמָא (kᵉnêmâʼ, H3660) — so or thus מָן (mân, H4479) — who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7761) — {to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… טְעֵם (ṭᵉʻêm, H2942) — properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account… בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} כְּלַל (kᵉlal, H3635) — to complete אֻשַּׁרְנָא (ʼushsharnâʼ, H846) — a wall (from its uprightness)
Open source ↗שְׁאֵל (shᵉʼêl, H7593) — {to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand} שֻׁם (shum, H8036) — {an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אַף (ʼaph, H638) — {meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though} יְדַע (yᵉdaʻ, H3046) — {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כְּתַב (kᵉthab, H3790) — {to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)} גְּבַר (gᵉbar, H1400) — {a person} רֵאשׁ (rêʼsh, H7217) — the head; figuratively, the sum
Open source ↗כְּנֵמָא (kᵉnêmâʼ, H3660) — so or thus תּוּב (tûwb, H8421) — specifically (transitive and ellip.) to reply פִּתְגָּם (pithgâm, H6600) — a word, answer, letter or decree אֲמַר (ʼămar, H560) — {to say (used with great latitude)} אֲנַחְנָא (ʼănachnâʼ, H586) — we הִמּוֹ (himmôw, H1994) — they עֲבַד (ʻăbad, H5649) — a servant אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God שָׁמַיִן (shâmayin, H8065) — {the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֲרַע (ʼăraʻ, H772) — the earth; by implication (figuratively) low בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1934) — to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other… דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this
Open source ↗לָהֵן (lâhên, H3861) — therefore; also except מִן (min, H4481) — {properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of} אַב (ʼab, H2) — {father} רְגַז (rᵉgaz, H7265) — {to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God שָׁמַיִן (shâmayin, H8065) — {the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… יְהַב (yᵉhab, H3052) — {to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive)… הִמּוֹ (himmôw, H1994) — they יַד (yad, H3028) — {a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)} נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadnetstsar, H5020) — {Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon} מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king בַּבֶל (Babel, H895) — {Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire} כַּסְדַּי (Kaçday, H3679) — {a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended);… סְתַר (çᵉthar, H5642) — to conceal; figuratively, to demolish
Open source ↗בְּרַם (bᵉram, H1297) — properly, highly, i.e. surely; but used adversatively, however חַד (chad, H2298) — as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once שְׁנָה (shᵉnâh, H8140) — {a year (as a revolution of time)} כּוֹרֶשׁ (Kôwresh, H3567) — {Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king} מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king בַּבֶל (Babel, H895) — {Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire} שׂוּם (sûwm, H7761) — {to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… טְעֵם (ṭᵉʻêm, H2942) — properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account… בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God
Open source ↗מָאן (mâʼn, H3984) — a utensil אַף (ʼaph, H638) — {meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though} דִּי (dîy, H1768) — that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial… דְּהַב (dᵉhab, H1722) — gold כְּסַף (kᵉçaph, H3702) — {silver (from its pale color); by implication, money} בַּיִת (bayith, H1005) — {a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)} אֱלָהּ (ʼĕlâhh, H426) — God נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadnetstsar, H5020) — {Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon} נְפַק (nᵉphaq, H5312) — to issue; causatively, to bring out מִן (min, H4481) — {properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of} הֵיכַל (hêykal, H1965) — {a large public building, such as a palace or temple} יְרוּשָׁלֵם (Yᵉrûwshâlêm, H3390) — {Jerusalem} יְבַל (yᵉbal, H2987) — to bring בַּבֶל (Babel, H895) — {Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire}
Open source ↗Cross-references
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