Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version We questioned the elders and asked them, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” New Living Translation “We asked the leaders, ‘Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?’ English Standard Version Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus: ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’ Berean Standard Bible So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” Berean Literal Bible Then we asked these elders, and thus we spoke to them: “Who made for you⁺ a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?” King James Bible Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? New King James Version Then we asked those elders, and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?” New American Standard Bible Then we asked those elders and said to them as follows: ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’ NASB 1995 “Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’ NASB 1977 “Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’ Legacy Standard Bible Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this house and to complete this structure?’ Amplified Bible Then we asked those elders, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’ Berean Annotated Bible So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you⁺ to rebuild this temple and restore this structure? Christian Standard Bible So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?” American Standard Version Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? Contemporary English Version We asked those in charge to tell us who gave them permission to rebuild the temple. English Revised Version Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? GOD'S WORD® Translation We asked their leaders the following question: "Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?" Good News Translation "We then asked the leaders of the people to tell us who had given them authority to rebuild the Temple and to equip it. International Standard Version We asked the elders, "Who authorized you to build this Temple and to reinforce these walls?" NET Bible We inquired of those elders, asking them, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and to complete this structure?' New Heart English Bible Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?" Webster's Bible Translation Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to erect these walls? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” World English Bible Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen we have asked of these elders, thus we have said to them, Who has made for you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? Berean Literal Bible Then we asked these elders, and thus we spoke to them: “Who made for you⁺ a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?” Young's Literal Translation Then 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? Smith's Literal Translation Then we asked these old men, thus we said to them, Who set to you a decree to build this house and to complete this wall? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls? Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, we questioned those elders, and we spoke to them in this way: ‘Who has given authority to you, so that you would build this house and repair these walls?’ New American Bible We then questioned the elders, addressing to them the following words: ‘Who issued the decree for you to build this house and complete this edifice?’ New Revised Standard Version Then we spoke to those elders and asked them, ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen we asked those elders and said to them thus: Who commanded you to build this house and to erect these walls? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Then we asked those Elders and thus we said to them: ‘Who commanded you to build this house and to raise this wall?’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus: Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall? Brenton Septuagint Translation Then we asked those elders, and thus we said to them, Who gave you the order to build this house, and to provide this preparation? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Tattenai's Letter to Darius…8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands. 9So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” 10We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.… Cross References So we questioned the elders Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you. 1 Kings 12:6 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. Deuteronomy 17:9 You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. and asked, “Who authorized you Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” Mark 11:28 “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” Luke 20:2 “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” to rebuild this temple 2 Chronicles 36:23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” Ezra 1:2-3 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. Haggai 1:8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. and restore this structure?” 2 Chronicles 34:10 They put it into the hands of those supervising the work in the house of the LORD, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 24:12-13 Then the king and Jehoiada would give the money to those who supervised the labor on the house of the LORD to hire stonecutters and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, as well as workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD. / So the workmen labored, and in their hands the repair work progressed. They restored the house of God according to its specifications, and they reinforced it. 2 Kings 22:5 And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORD— Nehemiah 2:7-9 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me. Haggai 1:1-2 In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating / that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Zechariah 4:6-10 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. / What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” / Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, … Daniel 6:1-3 Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, / and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss. / Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Treasury of Scripture Then asked we those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? Who commanded Ezra 5:3,4 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? … Jump to Previous Authority Authorized Build Building Commanded Complete Decree Elders Erect Finish House Issued Orders Questioned Rebuild Responsible Restore Structure Temple Wall Walls WhoJump to Next Authority Authorized Build Building Commanded Complete Decree Elders Erect Finish House Issued Orders Questioned Rebuild Responsible Restore Structure Temple Wall Walls WhoEzra 5 1. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, incited by Haggai and Zechariah, set forward to building3. Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai are not able to hinder the Jews 6. Their letter to Darius against the Jews So we questioned the elders In the context of Ezra 5, the questioning of the elders refers to the leaders of the Jewish community who had returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The elders were responsible for guiding the community and overseeing the reconstruction efforts. This questioning likely reflects the political and social tensions of the time, as the surrounding peoples were concerned about the re-establishment of a strong Jewish presence in the region. The elders' role is reminiscent of the leadership seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as the elders of Israel during the Exodus (Exodus 3:16). and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” Persons / Places / Events 1. Elders of the JewsThese are the leaders of the Jewish community who were responsible for overseeing the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. They played a crucial role in the restoration efforts after the Babylonian exile. 2. Tattenai He was the governor of the region beyond the River (Trans-Euphrates) who questioned the authority of the Jews to rebuild the temple. His inquiry reflects the political and administrative challenges faced by the Jews during this period. 3. Jerusalem The city where the temple was being rebuilt. It holds significant religious and historical importance for the Jewish people as the center of worship and the location of the temple. 4. Rebuilding of the Temple This event marks a significant moment in Jewish history, symbolizing the restoration of worship and the re-establishment of the Jewish community in their homeland after the Babylonian exile. 5. Persian Empire The ruling empire during this time, under which the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The empire's policies and decrees played a crucial role in the events described in Ezra. Teaching Points Authority and ObedienceThe questioning of the elders' authority to rebuild the temple reminds us of the importance of recognizing and respecting God-given authority. We should seek to understand and align ourselves with God's directives in our lives. Perseverance in Faith Despite external opposition, the Jews continued their work on the temple. This teaches us the value of perseverance and faithfulness in fulfilling God's purposes, even when faced with challenges. Divine Providence The involvement of the Persian Empire and the decree of Cyrus demonstrate God's providence in using secular authorities to accomplish His plans. We can trust that God is sovereign and works through various means to fulfill His purposes. Community Leadership The role of the elders highlights the importance of strong, godly leadership in guiding and supporting a community's spiritual and practical endeavors. We should pray for and support our leaders as they seek to follow God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 5:9?2. How does Ezra 5:9 demonstrate God's sovereignty over earthly authorities? 3. What role do questions play in understanding God's will in Ezra 5:9? 4. How can Ezra 5:9 inspire us to seek God's guidance in challenges? 5. In what ways does Ezra 5:9 connect to Romans 13:1 on authority? 6. How can we apply the leaders' inquiry approach in Ezra 5:9 today? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Ezra 5:9? 8. How does Ezra 5:9 reflect God's sovereignty in rebuilding the temple? 9. Why did the Persian officials question the rebuilding efforts in Ezra 5:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 5? 11. What defines the House of Yahweh? 12. Are there any historical or archeological records supporting a mass execution in Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 9? 13. (Ezra 5:3) Is there any independent archaeological or historical evidence confirming Tattenai's governorship and actions described here? 14. What evidence supports the existence of the Levites and captains mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:8, and how do we reconcile any lack of external records? What Does Ezra 5:9 Mean So we questioned the elders• The Persian regional officials—Tattenai and his companions (Ezra 5:3)—arrived on site and immediately approached “the elders,” the recognized leaders of the returned exiles (Ezra 5:5). • Scripture often shows civil authorities scrutinizing God’s people (Daniel 6:4; Acts 4:7), reminding us that visible obedience invites attention. • God’s hand protected the work during this questioning: “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” (Ezra 5:5), echoing Psalm 33:18. and asked • The tone is investigative, not merely curious. Similar interrogations appear in Ezra 4:9-10 and Nehemiah 2:19, where opponents sought to halt restoration. • Jesus faced comparable challenges to His authority (Matthew 21:23). The pattern: God initiates a work, worldly powers demand credentials, and God’s servants must respond with truth. “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple • Authority lay in Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1:1-4), later reaffirmed by Darius (Ezra 6:1-12). • The question implies that without imperial sanction, the project would be illegal—showing the Jews’ dependence on God’s providence working through secular rulers (Proverbs 21:1). • Rebuilding the temple fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 44:28), demonstrating God’s faithfulness despite earlier opposition (Ezra 4:23-24). and restore this structure?” • “Restore” points to more than construction; it envisions full renewal of worship (Ezra 6:16-18; Haggai 1:8). • The temple embodied God’s dwelling among His people (1 Kings 8:27-30). Its restoration foreshadowed the ultimate dwelling in Christ (John 1:14; Revelation 21:3). • The officials’ wording treats the building as merely a “structure,” contrasting with God’s view of it as “My house” (Haggai 1:4). That tension persists whenever culture downplays what God calls holy. summary Persian officials questioned Judah’s elders, probing the legitimacy of the temple project. Their inquiry highlights recurring themes: worldly scrutiny of God’s work, the necessity of divinely granted authority, and the unstoppable faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises. Though the officials saw a controversial construction site, Heaven saw the reestablishment of worship that pointed forward to the greater temple—Jesus Christ Himself—assuring believers that when God commissions a task, He also secures its completion. Hebrew Soאֱדַ֗יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin) Adverb Strong's 116: Then, thereupon we questioned שְׁאֵ֙לְנָא֙ (šə·’ê·lə·nā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 7593: To inquire, to request, to demand the אִלֵּ֔ךְ (’il·lêḵ) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 479: These elders לְשָׂבַיָּ֣א (lə·śā·ḇay·yā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 7868: To become aged, to grow gray and asked, אֲמַ֣רְנָא (’ă·mar·nā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 560: To say, tell, command “Who מַן־ (man-) Interrogative Strong's 4479: Who, what authorized you שָׂ֨ם (śām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7761: To set, make to rebuild לְמִבְנְיָ֔ה (lə·miḇ·nə·yāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1124: To build this דְנָה֙ (ḏə·nāh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 1836: This temple בַּיְתָ֤א (bay·ṯā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 1005: A house and restore לְשַׁכְלָלָֽה׃ (lə·šaḵ·lā·lāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3635: To complete this דְנָ֖ה (ḏə·nāh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 1836: This structure?” וְאֻשַּׁרְנָ֥א (wə·’uš·šar·nā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 846: Perhaps a wall Links Ezra 5:9 NIVEzra 5:9 NLT Ezra 5:9 ESV Ezra 5:9 NASB Ezra 5:9 KJV Ezra 5:9 BibleApps.com Ezra 5:9 Biblia Paralela Ezra 5:9 Chinese Bible Ezra 5:9 French Bible Ezra 5:9 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 5:9 Then asked we those elders and said (Ezr. 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