Ezra 5:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

We have here, I. The cognizance which their neighbours soon took of the reviving of this good work. A jealous eye, it seems, they had upon them, and no sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the friends of the temple to appear for it than the evil spirit stirred up its enemies to appear against it. While the people built and ceiled their own houses their enemies gave them no molestation (Hag. 1:4), though the king's order was to put a stop to the building of the city (Ezra 4:21); but when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 5:16

Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem ,.... Which makes it clear, that by Sheshbazzar is meant Zerubbabel; for he it was that laid the foundation of the temple, or at least by whose order it was laid, see Zechariah 4:9 and since that time even until now ; from the first of Cyrus to the second of Darius, a space of about eighteen years, and just seventy from the destruction of the temple: hath it been in building, and yet it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 5:16

Sheshbazzar - Probably the military officer that conducted the people from Babylon, and had the oversight of the work; but some think that Ezra is meant. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

Opposition revived. We have in these verses a twofold account of two different things. In Ezra 5:3 , Ezra 5:4 , in the first place, we have the historian's account of the revived opposition called out by the revival of the work of temple-building on the part of the Jews. In Ezra 5:6-10 we have an almost identical but slightly fuller account of the same matter in the letter sent by the opponents themselves to Darius. In Ezra 5:5 , in the next place, we have the historian's account... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

Wisdom in trial. Hardly had the Jews recommenced their work, when they again found themselves subjected to a— I. TRIAL OF FAITH . "At the same time," etc. ( Ezra 5:3 ). Again their unfriendly neighbours came to the attack. They challenged their right to build up the walls: "Who hath commanded you to build?" "By whose authority do ye these things?" The names of the leading men were demanded ( Ezra 5:4 ), with a view of sending them on to the Persian court. Pressure was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:6-17

The letter to Darius. The occasion of this letter was the resumption of the work of rebuilding the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem after an interval of sixteen years. The authors of it are Tatnai, the governor, probably of all the provinces west of the Euphrates, and Shethar-boznai, who may have been the scribe or secretary associated with him, as Shimshai was with Rehum (see Ezra 4:8 ). Or possibly Shethar-boznai was the leading man of the Apharsachites; for these are mentioned as more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:11-17

Things a Church should understand concerning itself. I. THAT IT IS ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE OF HEAVEN . "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth" ( Ezra 5:11 ). 1. An exalted service. It is the service of God. 2. An extensive service. It reaches in its influence throughout heaven and earth. 3. An arduous service. It is to rebuild a ruined temple in the midst of enemies. 4. A humble service. At best the Church is but a servant. II. THAT IT... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:16

Since that time even until now hath it been in building . It is not quite clear whether these words are part of the answer given by the Jews to Tatnai, which he reports to Darius (see Ezra 5:11 ), or Tatnai's own statement of what he believes to have been the fact. Perhaps the latter view is the more probable; and we may suppose Tatnai not to have been aware that from the second year of Cyrus to the commencement of the reign of Smerdis, and again during the latter part of this reign and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 5:16

Since that time even until now - Sixteen years - from 536 B.C. to 520 B.C. The adversaries of the Jews here overstep the truth; since, in point of fact, the work had been suspended for a while Ezra 4:24. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 5:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 5:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:3-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:6-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:11-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 5:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 5:16

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