Ezra 5:17

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 5:17

Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon ,.... Where were the archives of the kingdom, where the laws, decrees, edicts, and proclamations, and other things relating to the state, were laid up, that recourse might be had to them upon occasion: whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem ; which the Jews affirmed was made by him, and upon which they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 5:17

The - treasure house - גנזיא ginzaiya . This is a Persian word, gunji , a treasury. There is a great deal of good sense and candour in this letter. Nothing of passion or prejudice appears in it. They laid before the king a fair statement without any attempt to prejudice his mind, and gave him those directions which were most likely to lead him to the truth, and to form a correct judgment on a business which, however it issued, must be of considerable importance to the state. God... 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 5:17

Let there be search made in the king's treasure house. The Vulgate has "in the king's library;" and this, though not the literal rendering, is probably what was intended by Tatuai. Libraries or record chambers were attached to the royal residences under the old Assyrian and Babylonian kings; and the practice was no doubt continued by the Persians. Some of these record offices have been recently found, and their stores recovered. In the year 1850 Mr. Layard came upon the royal library of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 5:17

Let there be search made ... at Babylon - They perhaps doubted whether proof of the decree of Cyrus remained in the archives. The Pseudo-Smerdis had had the records in his power for seven months; and, when he reversed the policy of his predecessors, might have been expected to destroy their edicts. The decree was not found at Babylon, the most natural place for it, but in the provincial capital of Ecbatana, which Tatnai and his friends had not asked Darius to have searched (see Ezra 6:2). read more

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