Ezra 5:2 - Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
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What does "Ezra 5:2" mean?
Ezra 5:2 describes a pivotal moment in the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up..."
Zerubbabel: He was the governor of Judah, appointed by the Persian King Cyrus. He represented the political leadership of the returning exiles. He was of the lineage of David, making him a figure with messianic expectations for some.
Jeshua (Joshua): He was the High Priest. He represented the religious leadership of the returning exiles.
"Rose up": This signifies a decisive action. They took the initiative and began the work of rebuilding.
"...and began to build God's house which is at Jerusalem..."
"God's house": Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Jewish people.
This highlights the primary goal of the returned exiles: to restore their relationship with God through the reconstruction of His Temple.
"...and with them were the prophets of God, helping them."
"Prophets of God": These were individuals believed to be speaking on behalf of God, providing spiritual guidance and encouragement. Haggai and Zechariah are specifically named as prophets during this period.
"Helping them": This emphasizes the essential role of the prophets in motivating and supporting the rebuilding effort. They would have likely offered divine encouragement, warned against complacency, and reassured the people that God was with them. Their presence gave the rebuilding project divine legitimacy and spurred the people on.
In essence, the verse means:
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (political leader) and Jeshua (religious leader), the Jewish people resumed the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Crucially, they were not alone. The prophets, divinely inspired messengers, were also involved, providing spiritual support, encouragement, and guidance, ensuring that the project was not just a physical endeavor but a spiritual one as well.
Significance:
This verse represents a turning point in the post-exilic period. After facing opposition and discouragement that halted the rebuilding for a time, the leaders and the people, fueled by faith and inspired by the prophets, recommitted themselves to the work of restoring the Temple. This was essential for restoring their religious identity and their relationship with God. It also fulfilled prophecies about the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Ezra 5:2 - Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
What does "Ezra 5:2" mean?
Ezra 5:2 describes a pivotal moment in the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up..."
Zerubbabel: He was the governor of Judah, appointed by the Persian King Cyrus. He represented the political leadership of the returning exiles. He was of the lineage of David, making him a figure with messianic expectations for some.
Jeshua (Joshua): He was the High Priest. He represented the religious leadership of the returning exiles.
"Rose up": This signifies a decisive action. They took the initiative and began the work of rebuilding.
"...and began to build God's house which is at Jerusalem..."
"God's house": Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Jewish people.
This highlights the primary goal of the returned exiles: to restore their relationship with God through the reconstruction of His Temple.
"...and with them were the prophets of God, helping them."
"Prophets of God": These were individuals believed to be speaking on behalf of God, providing spiritual guidance and encouragement. Haggai and Zechariah are specifically named as prophets during this period.
"Helping them": This emphasizes the essential role of the prophets in motivating and supporting the rebuilding effort. They would have likely offered divine encouragement, warned against complacency, and reassured the people that God was with them. Their presence gave the rebuilding project divine legitimacy and spurred the people on.
In essence, the verse means:
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (political leader) and Jeshua (religious leader), the Jewish people resumed the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Crucially, they were not alone. The prophets, divinely inspired messengers, were also involved, providing spiritual support, encouragement, and guidance, ensuring that the project was not just a physical endeavor but a spiritual one as well.
Significance:
This verse represents a turning point in the post-exilic period. After facing opposition and discouragement that halted the rebuilding for a time, the leaders and the people, fueled by faith and inspired by the prophets, recommitted themselves to the work of restoring the Temple. This was essential for restoring their religious identity and their relationship with God. It also fulfilled prophecies about the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.