Ezra 5

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).

5:2 The Jewish leaders had not led by faith (see Hag 1:1, 12). Now God’s Spirit stirred them up (Hag 1:14), and they obeyed by getting to work. • Zerubbabel and Jeshua figure prominently in the books of Haggai and Zechariah.

5:3 Who gave you permission? Unlike the hostile opposition recorded in ch 4, this seems to have been a routine inquiry to make sure that everything was done according to official requirements.

5:5 God was watching over them: All credit goes to God’s sovereign control of events, not to any human leader or prophet. God had promised that the ruins would be rebuilt (Isa 44:26).

5:6-17 Ezra includes a copy in Aramaic of Tattenai’s letter to King Darius. Unlike the letter of 4:11-16, this letter was a straightforward inquiry into the validity of the Jews’ activity.5:6 other officials: A Persian term for inspectors or investigators.

5:8 the great God: This title was a Persian way of referring to an important high deity; it does not indicate that the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God. • Following the pattern of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:36), after every three rows of prepared stones, a layer of timber was laid in its walls (see Ezra 6:4) to reduce potential damage from earthquakes.

5:11 the God of heaven: This title would be understood by the Persians: He was the universal high God, not an insignificant local deity. • a great king of Israel: Solomon (see 1 Kgs 5–8).

5:12 destroyed this Temple and exiled the people: See 2 Kgs 25:9-17.

5:13 a decree: See 1:1-4.

5:14-15 The Jews provided detailed information that the Persians could check for accuracy (see 1:7-11).

5:16 Most likely, Sheshbazzar began the work and Zerubbabel finished it (see study note on 1:8).