Ezra 5 Explained

Ezra 5 is the fifth chapter of the Book of Ezra in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, or the book of Ezra–Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible, which treats the book of Ezra and book of Nehemiah as one book. Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra–Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles,[1] but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from the 5th century BCE (the so-called "Chronicler") is the final author of these books. The section comprising chapter 1 to 6 describes the history before the arrival of Ezra to the land of Judah in 468 BCE.[2] This chapter records the contribution of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to the temple building project and the investigation by Persian officials.

Text

This chapter is divided into 17 verses. The original text of this chapter is written in Aramaic.[3]

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Aramaic are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008). A fragment containing a part of this chapter in Hebrew was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, that is, 4Q117 (4QEzra; 50 BCE) with the extant verse 17 (= 1 Esdras 6:20).[4] [5]

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B;

ak{G}

B; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A;

ak{G}

A; 5th century).

An ancient Greek book called 1 Esdras (Greek: Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἔσδρας Αʹ) containing some parts of 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah is included in most editions of the Septuagint and is placed before the single book of Ezra–Nehemiah (which is titled in Greek: Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἔσδρας Βʹ). 1 Esdras 6:1–22 is an equivalent of Ezra 5 (The second year of Darius's reign).

Renewed effort (5:1–2)

Through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, God sent the message of inspiration so the people began the repair of temple again

Verse 1

Then 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, even unto them.[6] The prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah are recorded in the Hebrew Bible in the Book of Haggai and Book of Zechariah respectively. Haggai's prophecy period completely covers the time mentioned here (; 520 BC), whereas Zechariah's only partly.

Verse 2

Then 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.[7]

The investigation (5:3–17)

Based on the complaint of the non-Jews, the governor of the area began an investigation into the building project, interviewing the Jewish leaders and sending an inquiry to Darius, the king of Persia.

Verse 3

’’At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River came to them, with Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and asked them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?"[10]

Verse 6

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.[12]

Verse 8

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.[13]

Verse 11

And thus they returned us an answer, saying: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.[17] The "great king of Israel" was Solomon. The conventional dates of Solomon's reign are about 970 to 931 BCE. The Jewish historian Josephus says that "the temple was burnt four hundred and seventy years, six months, and ten days after it was built".

See also

References

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. [Babylonian Talmud]
  2. Davies, G. I., Introduction to the Pentateuch in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary, p. 19
  3. Note d on Ezra 4:8 in NKJV: "The original language of Ezra 4:8 through 6:18 is Aramaic".
  4. https://thewaytoyahuweh.com/dead-sea-scrolls/general-info/#ezra Dead sea scrolls - Ezra
  5. http://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/manuscript/4Q117-1 4Q117 at the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
  6. 5:1 KJV KJV
  7. 5:2 KJV KJV
  8. Notes [a] on Ezra 3:2 in NKJV
  9. Notes [a] on Ezra 5:2 in NKJV
  10. 2 Ezra WEB
  11. Notes [a] on Ezra 5:3 in NKJV
  12. 2 Ezra WEB
  13. 2 Ezra WEB
  14. Notes [a] on Ezra 5:8 in NKJV
  15. Note e on Ezra 5:8 in NKJV
  16. [H. E. Ryle|Ryle, H. E.]
  17. 5:11 NKJV NKJV

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