Ezra 5:8
What does Ezra 5:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:8 means
The officials report what they saw with measured accuracy. They entered Judah and found “the house of the great God” under construction with large stones and timber laid in the walls. They note the diligence of the workers and that the project prospers in their hands. Strikingly, they call Israel’s God “the great God,” acknowledging the gravity of the place and work. The report neither embellishes nor minimizes; it states that significant, well-resourced building is happening efficiently. This faithful description implies the urgency of verifying authorization, not to suppress piety, but to ensure that such a powerful symbol and structure aligns with imperial permission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is to give the king word that we went into the land of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is made of great stones, and has its walls supported with wood, and the work is going on with industry, and they are doing it well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`To Darius the king, all peace! be it known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the great house of God, and it is built <FI>with<Fi> rolled stones, and wood is placed in the walls, and this work is done speedily, and prospering in their hand.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently and advanceth in their hands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the greatGod, which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work is being carried on with diligence, and prospers in their hand.
Context
Following the salutation, this verse details the project’s scope and pace. The officials’ factual tone sets up their next step in verses 9–10: questioning the leaders about authorization and names. The careful description also highlights that the work is substantial and successful, which raises the stakes for the coming legal review and makes the Jews’ defense (verses 11–16) all the more important.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 6:26
I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
- Daniel 2:47
The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.
- Daniel 4:2
It hath seemed good unto me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me.
- Deuteronomy 10:17
For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
- Nehemiah 7:6
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and that returned unto Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
- 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.