Ezra 5:15
What does Ezra 5:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:15 means
Cyrus’s command to Sheshbazzar is quoted in essence: take the vessels, go to Jerusalem, place them in the temple, and let God’s house be rebuilt “in its place.” The instruction is specific and location-bound, leaving no doubt that Jerusalem is the authorized site. The phrase “in its place” implies continuity with the original temple’s location, not a new or rival structure. This directive further confirms that the work now underway is exactly what the empire once ordered. With this, the elders’ appeal rests on clear, practical obligations issued by the royal court.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said to him, Go, take these vessels, and put them in the Temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be put up again in its place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and said to him, These vessels lift up, go, put them down in the temple that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem, and the house of God is builded on its place.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is at Jerusalem, and let the house ofGod be built in its place.
Context
Verse 15 concludes the description of Cyrus’s provision and command, which began in verses 13–14. The next verse (16) will point to the actual laying of the foundation by Sheshbazzar and the ongoing but unfinished status of the project. The flow is logical: decree, provision, instruction, and then historical execution—each step building credibility.
v.14And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
v.15This passage
v.16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 1:2
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
- Ezra 3:3
And they set the altar upon its base; for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening.
- Ezra 6:3
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;