📜WEB · Ezra 5:9
What does Ezra 5:9 mean?
"Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”"
— Ezra 5:9 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
A full explanation for this verse is coming soon. In the meantime, you can ask our AI about Ezra 5:9 directly — it will give you a detailed answer grounded in the actual text.
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.