English Standard Version
Ezra 5:5
5But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it.
Ezra 5:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But 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.
- New International Version (NIV)But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.
Context of Ezra 5:5
3At the same time Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus: "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?" 4They also asked them this: "What are the names of the men who are building this building?" But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until the report should reach Darius and then an answer be returned by letter concerning it. 6This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the governors who were in the province Beyond the River, sent to Darius the king. 7They sent him a report, in which was written as follows: "To Darius the king, all peace.
Read all of Ezra 5Ezra 5:5 word by word
וְעֵ֣ין אֱלָהֲהֹ֗ם הֲוָת֙ עַל־שָׂבֵ֣י יְהוּדָיֵ֔א וְלָא־בַטִּ֣לוּ הִמּ֔וֹ עַד־טַעְמָ֖א לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ יְהָ֑ךְ וֶאֱדַ֛יִן יְתִיב֥וּן נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֖א עַל־דְּנָֽה׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But the eyeעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5870
- of their Godאֱלָהּ'ĕlâhh · godH426
- wasהֲוָאhâvâ' hâvâh · to beH1934
- uponעַל‛al · uponH5922
- the eldersשִׂיבώîyb · be grayH7868
- of the Jewsיְהוּדַיyehûdâ'îy · JewH3062
- that they could notלָאlâ' lâh · notH3809
- causeבְּטֵלbeţêl · to ceaseH989
- themהִמּוֹhimmô himmôn · theyH1994
- tillעַד‛ad · tillH5705
- the matterטְעֵםţa‛am · accountH2941
- cameהוּךְhûk · to goH1946
- to Dariusדָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁdâreyâvêsh · DariusH1868
- and thenאֱדַ֫יִן'ĕdayin · thenH116
- they returned answerתּוּבtûb · to return: replyH8421
- by letterנִשְׁתְּוָןnishtevân · letterH5407
- thisדְּנָהdên · thisH1836
Cross-references for Ezra 5:5
- Ezra 7:6this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
- Ezra 8:22For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him."
- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars."
- Psalms 32:8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
- Psalms 33:18Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
- Psalms 34:15The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
- Psalms 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
- Philippians 1:28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
- 1 Peter 3:12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
- Psalms 129:2"Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me.
- Ezra 6:6"Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away.
Commentaries on Ezra 5:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5The eye of their God was upon the elders - The watchful care of God was upon the elders. They were assured of his favor; and they found his especial providence working in their behalf.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-17Verses 3-17 While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5the eye of their God was on the elders: All credit goes to God's control of events, not to any human leader or prophet. God promised that the ruins would be rebuilt (Isaiah 44:26).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-175-17. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, &c.--The unusual presence, the imposing suite, the authoritative enquiries of the satrap appeared formidable, and might have produced a paralyzing influence or led to disastrous consequences, if he had been a partial and corrupt judge or actuated by unfriendly feelings towards the Jewish cause. The historian, therefore, with characteristic piety, throws in this parenthetical verse to intimate…Read the comment
Topics related to Ezra 5:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ezra 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries