Ezra 5:11
What does Ezra 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:11 means
The elders’ reply begins with identity and purpose: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” They are not rebels but worshipers under God’s universal rule. They are rebuilding a house long established, “which a great king of Israel builded and finished”—a clear reference to Solomon’s work, grounding their efforts in continuity with Israel’s past. Their answer presents the temple not as a political fortress but as God’s house, the rightful center of their service. By starting with God’s lordship and history, they frame the project as obedient restoration, not innovation, and ask the empire to recognize a lawful, ancient worship being renewed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they made answer to us, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building the house which was put up in times long past and was designed and made complete by a great king of Israel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And thus they have returned us word, saying, We <FI>are<Fi> servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built many years before this, that a great king of Israel built and finished:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they answered us in these words, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building a temple that was built these many years ago, and which a great king of Israel built and set up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of theGod of the heavens and the earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago; and a great king of Israel built and completed it.
Context
This is the first part of the Jews’ formal defense, following the officials’ questions in verses 9–10. The elders state who they are and what they are doing. The next verse (12) will add a candid confession of past sin and exile, and verses 13–15 will cite Cyrus’s decree and actions. The structure moves from identity to history to legal warrant, building a compelling case.
v.10We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
v.11This passage
v.12But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
- Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve,
- 2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, whereJehovahappeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
- Galatians 6:14
But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
- Matthew 10:32
Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.
- Psalms 119:46
I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame.