John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 5:1-17
The Building of the Temple RecommencedThis chapter gives an account of a renewed attempt to rebuild the Temple, and recites a letter from the Persian officials in Judæa to the Persian court to enquire whether the Jews had leave to proceed with the work.1. Then the prophets] The hostility of their neighbours (Ezra 4:4-5), coupled with disastrous seasons (Haggai 1:10-11; Haggai 2:17), had so discouraged the people that they said ’The time is not come for the Lord’s house to be built’ (Haggai... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezra 5:6-17
Tattenai’s letter 5:6-17In contrast to Rehum and Shimshai’s letter to Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:11-16), Tattenai’s letter to Darius was fair and objective. He gave no indication of wanting to stop the Jews’ project. He only wanted to know if Cyrus had really given permission for the Jews to rebuild the temple and if Darius wanted that edict to stand.The record of this letter in the text shows that high-ranking government officials had observed God’s care of His chosen people. This would have... read more