Ezra 5:11 - Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
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What does "Ezra 5:11" mean?
This verse, Ezra 5:11, is part of a response given by the returning Jewish exiles to Tattenai, the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, who had inquired about their authority to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"Thus they returned us answer, saying...": This sets the context. It indicates that the Jewish elders are responding to a formal inquiry from Tattenai and his officials.
"We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth...": This is a declaration of their religious identity and allegiance. By stating this, they are emphasizing that they are acting on behalf of a higher power, the universal God. This is significant because it contrasts with the local deities typically worshipped in the surrounding regions.
"...and are building the house that was built these many years ago...": They are making it clear that they are not constructing a brand new temple, but rather restoring a pre-existing one. This is crucial to their argument because it implies a historical right to rebuild on that site.
"...which a great king of Israel built and finished.": This is the crux of their justification. They are directly referencing King Solomon (though unnamed here, the implication is clear), the most renowned king of Israel, who originally built the Temple centuries prior. By associating the Temple with Solomon, they are asserting the historical legitimacy and importance of the building. They are saying, in effect, "This temple isn't just any building; it's a monumental structure erected by our greatest king."
In summary, the verse is a carefully crafted response that emphasizes:
Religious Authority: They are acting as servants of God.
Historical Precedent: They are rebuilding something that already existed.
Royal Legitimacy: The original Temple was built by a powerful and respected king.
By highlighting these points, the Jewish elders are attempting to justify their actions and convince Tattenai that they have a valid claim to rebuild the Temple, hoping to avoid interference from the Persian authorities. This response sets the stage for Tattenai's subsequent investigation and ultimately, the permission granted by King Darius to continue the rebuilding.
Ezra 5:11 - Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
What does "Ezra 5:11" mean?
This verse, Ezra 5:11, is part of a response given by the returning Jewish exiles to Tattenai, the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, who had inquired about their authority to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"Thus they returned us answer, saying...": This sets the context. It indicates that the Jewish elders are responding to a formal inquiry from Tattenai and his officials.
"We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth...": This is a declaration of their religious identity and allegiance. By stating this, they are emphasizing that they are acting on behalf of a higher power, the universal God. This is significant because it contrasts with the local deities typically worshipped in the surrounding regions.
"...and are building the house that was built these many years ago...": They are making it clear that they are not constructing a brand new temple, but rather restoring a pre-existing one. This is crucial to their argument because it implies a historical right to rebuild on that site.
"...which a great king of Israel built and finished.": This is the crux of their justification. They are directly referencing King Solomon (though unnamed here, the implication is clear), the most renowned king of Israel, who originally built the Temple centuries prior. By associating the Temple with Solomon, they are asserting the historical legitimacy and importance of the building. They are saying, in effect, "This temple isn't just any building; it's a monumental structure erected by our greatest king."
In summary, the verse is a carefully crafted response that emphasizes:
Religious Authority: They are acting as servants of God.
Historical Precedent: They are rebuilding something that already existed.
Royal Legitimacy: The original Temple was built by a powerful and respected king.
By highlighting these points, the Jewish elders are attempting to justify their actions and convince Tattenai that they have a valid claim to rebuild the Temple, hoping to avoid interference from the Persian authorities. This response sets the stage for Tattenai's subsequent investigation and ultimately, the permission granted by King Darius to continue the rebuilding.