Ezra 5:9
What does Ezra 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 5:9 means
The officials recount their question to the elders: who authorized this building and the completion of “this wall”? By repeating the inquiry in the letter, they show due diligence and transparency in procedure. The term “wall” likely refers to major structural elements associated with the temple complex. Their aim is not to misrepresent but to secure a clear legal basis. The builders’ response will need to demonstrate both divine commission and imperial sanction. The officials’ focus on proper decrees underscores the balancing act of the Persian administration: allowing subject peoples to worship, while maintaining control and preventing rebellion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then we said to the men responsible, who gave you authority for the building of this house and these walls?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then we have asked of these elders, thus we have said to them, Who hath made for you a decree this house to build, and this wall to finish?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then asked we those elders: thus we said to them, Who gave you orders to build this house and to complete this wall?
Context
Having described the project (verse 8), the letter next narrates the officials’ questions (verse 9) and their gathering of names (verse 10). This paves the way for the quoted reply from the Jewish elders (verses 11–16). Seeing the question repeated helps readers appreciate that the central issue in the chapter is authorization—who says this house can be built?
v.8Be 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.
v.9This passage
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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 5:3
At 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?