Tyndale Open Study NotesEzra 5

Ezra now continues the story of building the temple from 520 to 515 BC.

Haggai first delivered his prophecy on August 29, 520 BC (Haggai 1:1). Zechariah started prophesying about two months later (Zechariah 1:1). The books of Haggai and Zechariah contain their messages (see also Ezra 6:14).

• The Jewish leaders had not led with faith (see Haggai 1:1, 12). Now God's spirit motivated them (Haggai 1:14), and they obeyed by starting their work.

• Zerubbabel and Jeshua play important roles in the books of Haggai and Zechariah.

Who authorized you: Unlike the hostile opposition in Ezra 4, this seems to be a routine check to ensure everything follows official rules.

the 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).

Ezra includes a copy in Aramaic of Tattenai’s letter to King Darius. Unlike the letter in Ezra 4:11–16, this letter simply asks if the Jews' actions are valid.

officials: A Persian term for inspectors or investigators.

• The title the great God was a Persian way to refer to an important high deity. It does not mean the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God.

• Following the design of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:36), builders placed a layer of timber in the walls after every three rows of prepared stones (see Ezra 6:4). This helped reduce potential earthquake damage.

• the God of heaven: The Persians understood this title. It referred to the universal high God, not a minor local deity.

• a great king of Israel: Solomon (see 1 Kings 5–8).

destroyed this temple and carried away the people: See 2 Kings 25:9–17.

a decree: See Ezra 1:1–4.

The Jews gave detailed information that the Persians could verify for accuracy (see Ezra 1:7–11).

Sheshbazzar probably started the work, and Zerubbabel completed it (see study note on Ezra 1:8).