Ezra 5:8

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

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

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 for your information.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
WEB
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
ASV
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
DARBY
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work is being carried on with diligence, and prospers in their hand.
BLB
Be it Known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, and it is being built [with] rolled stones, and timber is being laid in the walls, and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.
ÅB
Det være kongen vitterlig at vi har draget til landskapet Juda, til den store Guds hus, og det blir nå bygget opp av store steiner, og det legges bjelker i veggene, og arbeidet gjøres med iver og har god fremgang under deres hender.
OTB
Vi ønsker å informere kongen om at vi besøkte provinsen Juda, til tempelet til den store Gud. Bygningen blir konstruert med store steiner, og tømmer blir lagt i veggene. Arbeidet skrider frem flittig og går fremover under deres tilsyn.
B1930
Det være kongen vitterlig at vi har draget til landskapet Juda, til den store Guds hus, og det blir nu bygget op av store stener, og det legges bjelker i veggene, og arbeidet gjøres med iver og har god fremgang under deres hender.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 2:47

    The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 7:6

    These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,

    Read in context
  • Ezra 7:23

    Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for His house. For why should wrath fall on the realm of the king and his sons?

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Mark 13:1–2

    As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!”

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 32:31

    For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 4:34–37

    But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

    Read in context
  • Esther 1:22

    He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.

    Read in context