Ezra 5:17
What does Ezra 5:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:17 means
The officials close their letter with a reasonable proposal: let a search be made in the royal treasure-house in Babylon to verify the existence of Cyrus’s decree, and let the king send his decision. They are not demanding an immediate halt; they seek archival confirmation and the king’s pleasure. This appeal to records shows how God can use ordinary mechanisms of government to protect His work. By inviting verification, the letter holds space for truth to prevail. The stage is set for a just outcome grounded in documented history, rather than rumor or haste.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So now, if it seems good to the king, let search be made in the king's store-house at Babylon, to see if it is true that an order was given by Cyrus the king for the building of this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us word of his pleasure in connection with this business.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And now, if to the king it be good, let search be made in the treasure-house of the king, that <FI>is<Fi> there in Babylon, whether it be that of Cyrus the king there was made a decree to build this house of God in Jerusalem, and the will of the king concerning this thing he doth send unto us.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now therefore if it seem good to the king, let him search in the king's library, which is in Babylon, whether it hath been decreed by Cyrus the king, that the house of God in Jerusalem should be built, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the king's treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that orders were given by king Cyrus to build this house ofGod at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Context
This concluding request follows the elders’ defense (verses 11–16). It returns the matter to Darius for authoritative resolution. Earlier, verse 5 noted God’s watchful eye and that work was not stopped pending this review. The chapter therefore ends with construction ongoing and a royal inquiry underway, preparing the way for official confirmation and continued rebuilding in the next developments.
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.
v.17This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 4:19
And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
- Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
- Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- Ezra 4:15
that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.