1 esdras 5:73 - and by their secret plots, and popular persuasions and commotions, they hindered the finishing of the building all the time that King Cyrus lived: so they were hindered from building for the space of two years, until the reign of Darius.

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 5:73

What does "1 esdras 5:73" mean?


This verse from 1 Esdras 5:73 describes the opposition faced by the Jewish people as they attempted to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after their return from exile in Babylon. Let's break down the meaning:

"and by their secret plots, and popular persuasions and commotions...": This refers to the methods used by the enemies of the Jews (likely Samaritans and other local people who opposed the rebuilding) to stop the project. These methods included:

"Secret plots": These were probably covert plans to undermine the rebuilding efforts, such as spreading false rumors or inciting violence.
"Popular persuasions": This indicates that the opposing parties tried to influence the general population, likely by appealing to their fears, prejudices, or religious beliefs, to turn them against the Jewish people and the Temple project.
"Commotions": This suggests they stirred up unrest, riots, or other disturbances to disrupt the work and create an atmosphere of instability.

"...they hindered the finishing of the building all the time that King Cyrus lived...": This tells us that these efforts were successful in obstructing the completion of the Temple during the reign of King Cyrus, who had originally authorized the rebuilding.

"...so they were hindered from building for the space of two years, until the reign of Darius.": This clarifies the duration of the opposition. The rebuilding was stalled for about two years, from the death of Cyrus until the reign of Darius I, who later renewed the decree for the Temple's construction.

In essence, the verse is saying that the enemies of the Jewish people used various underhanded tactics to prevent the completion of the Temple during the reign of Cyrus. This resulted in a two-year delay in the rebuilding process until the reign of Darius.

Historical Context:

This verse is part of the historical narrative surrounding the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After being exiled to Babylon, the Jewish people were allowed to return to their homeland by King Cyrus of Persia. He issued a decree allowing them to rebuild the Temple. However, the Samaritans and other groups in the region opposed this project, fearing it would solidify Jewish power and influence.

Importance:

This verse highlights the challenges and obstacles faced by the Jewish people in their efforts to rebuild their religious and national center. It also demonstrates the importance of leadership and the role that political circumstances played in the progress of the rebuilding project. The delay emphasizes the vulnerability of the returned exiles and the constant need for divine favor and protection.

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