Ezra 5:3-17 ▼

3 At that time Tattenai (gift) the governor of the region west of the Euphrates (the governor beyond the River), Shethar-bozenai (star of splendor), and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you⁺ to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”

4 They also asked [Then we told them,], “What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?”

5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, so that they were not stopped until a report was sent to Darius (lord) and written instructions about this matter were returned.

6 This is the text of the letter that Tattenai (gift) the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai (star of splendor), and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius (lord).

7 The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius (lord): All peace.

8 Let 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.

9 So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you⁺ to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”

10 We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders (the names of the men at their heads) for your information.

11 And this is the answer they returned: “We are 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 (he wrestles with God) built and completed.

12 But since our fathers angered the God of heaven, He delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing), the Chaldean who destroyed this temple and carried away the people to Babylon.

13 In the first year of his reign, however, Cyrus (possess the furnace) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.

14 He also removed from the temple (palace) of Babylon (confusion by mixing) the gold and silver articles belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) had taken and carried there from the temple in Jerusalem (city of peace). King Cyrus (possess the furnace) gave these articles to a man named Sheshbazzar (worshipper of fire), whom he appointed governor

15 and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem (city of peace), and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’

16 So this Sheshbazzar (worshipper of fire) came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem (city of peace), and from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed.”

17 Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon (confusion by mixing) to see if King Cyrus (possess the furnace) did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem (city of peace). Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.