Ezra 5:2
What does Ezra 5:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:2 means
Under the influence of prophetic preaching, Zerubbabel and Jeshua step into their God-given roles and restart the temple work. Leadership and prophecy join hands: the leaders oversee construction, while the prophets “help” by strengthening resolve, giving God’s perspective, and likely correcting fears. The house being built is not any structure—it is “the house of God,” the center of worship and identity for the returned exiles. Obedience takes visible form as stones are set and timbers lifted. The scene portrays a healthy community where spiritual exhortation produces practical obedience, and where leaders and prophets collaborate, each within their calling, to honor God and serve His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, got up and made a start at building the house of God at Jerusalem: and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then have Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jozadak, risen, and begun to build the house of God, that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem, and with them are the prophets of God supporting them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then rose up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue the son of Josedec, and began to build the temple of God in Jerusalem, and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house ofGod which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets ofGod, who helped them.
Context
Following the prophets’ ministry in verse 1, verse 2 records immediate fruit: the restart of construction. Naming Zerubbabel and Jeshua spotlights responsible leadership. This renewed activity sets up the testing that follows in verse 3, where Persian officials arrive to question the work. Recognizing the close link between prophetic encouragement and tangible obedience clarifies why the subsequent opposition matters and how the people will answer it.
v.1Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the God of Israel prophesied they unto them.
v.2This passage
v.3At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Haggai 2:4
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts,
- Haggai 2:20
And the word of Jehovah came the second time unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
- 2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.
- Ezra 6:14
And the elders of the Jews builded and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
- Zechariah 3:1
And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.
- Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.