Ezra 5:9
◄  Ezra 5:9  ►
New International Version (©2011)
We questioned the elders and asked them, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?"

New Living Translation (©2007)
"We asked the leaders, 'Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?'

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus: ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?’

New American Standard Bible (©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?'

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So we questioned the elders and asked, "Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
We asked the elders, "Who authorized you to build this Temple and to reinforce these walls?"

NET Bible (©2006)
We inquired of those elders, asking them, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and to complete this structure?'

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
We asked their leaders the following question: "Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then asked we those elders, and said unto them, Who commanded you to build this house, and to complete these walls?

American King James Version
Then asked we those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

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?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?

Darby Bible Translation
Then asked we those elders: thus we said to them, Who gave you orders to build this house and to complete this wall?

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?

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?

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?"

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?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:3-17 While employed in God's work, we are under his special protection; his eye is upon us for good. This should keep us to our duty, and encourage us therein, when difficulties are ever so discouraging. The elders of the Jews gave the Samaritans an account of their proceedings. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear, to give a reason of the hope that is in us; let us rightly understand, and then readily declare, what we do in God's service, and why we do it. And while in this world, we always shall have to confess, that our sins have provoked the wrath of God. All our sufferings spring from thence, and all our comforts from his unmerited mercy. However the work may seem to be hindered, yet the Lord Jesus Christ is carrying it on, his people are growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then asked we those elders,.... The elders of the province of Judea; the chief men of it:

who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? see Ezra 5:3.

Ezra 5:9 Parallel Commentaries

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Tattenai's Letter to Darius
…8Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goes fast on, and prospers in their hands. 9Then asked we those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? 10We asked their names also, to certify you, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. …

Ezra 4:12 The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
Ezra 5:3 At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?"
Ezra 5:8 The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.
Ezra 5:10 We also asked them their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.