Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].
5. But the eye of their God ] Cf. Deu 11:12, ‘a land which God careth for; the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it’; Psa 33:18, ‘The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him’; Psa 34:15, ‘The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous’.
upon the elders of the Jews ] Cf. Ezr 10:8, ‘the princes and elders’. The LXX. by a strange mistake render ‘the captivity’ ( ).
God’s favour was shewn in that Tattenai did not immediately stop the work, but let it go on until he learned his master’s wishes.
that they could not cause them to cease ] R.V. and they did not make them cease. This gives the original accurately, and corrects the impression produced by the A.V.
till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer ] R.V. till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should he returned. Marg. Or, they returned answer. The R.V. corrects the grammatical mistake of the A.V. Both clauses are dependent upon the previous sentence. The governor and his party forebore to stay the work, until (1) the matter had been reported to Darius, (2) Darius’s reply had been received by the governor. Then only would they, if it were necessary, interfere.
‘ And then answer should be returned ’ or, ‘ And then they returned answer by letter ’. In the former case the reference is to the answer of the king or of his officials to Tattenai: in the latter case, it is to the final reply of Tattenai, after hearing from the king, to the Jews. Perhaps the former is to be preferred on account of the formal ‘by letter (nishtewan, cf. Ezr 4:7) concerning it’.
concerning this matter] R.V. concerning it. The A.V. unnecessarily here repeats the word ‘matter’. See Ezr 5:17.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 5. The eye of their God was upon the elders] The watchful care of God was upon the elders. They were assured of his favour; and they found his especial providence working in their behalf.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They could not cause them to cease; because God overruled their hearts and hands, that they did not hinder them by force, as they could have done.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5-17. But the eye of their God wasupon the elders of the Jews, c.The unusual presence, theimposing suite, the authoritative enquiries of the satrap appearedformidable, and might have produced a paralyzing influence or led todisastrous consequences, if he had been a partial and corrupt judgeor actuated by unfriendly feelings towards the Jewish cause. Thehistorian, therefore, with characteristic piety, throws in thisparenthetical verse to intimate that God averted the threateningcloud and procured favor for the elders or leaders of the Jews, thatthey were not interrupted in their proceedings till communicationswith the court should be made and received. Not a word was uttered todispirit the Jews or afford cause of triumph to their opponents.Matters were to go on till contrary orders arrived from Babylon.After surveying the work in progress, he inquired: first, by whatauthority this national temple was undertaken and, secondly, thenames of the principal promoters and directors of the undertaking. Tothese two heads of enquiry the Jews returned ready and distinctreplies. Then having learned that it originated in a decree of Cyrus,who had not only released the Jewish exiles from captivity andpermitted them to return to their own land for the express purpose ofrebuilding the house of God, but, by an act of royal grace, hadrestored to them the sacred vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carriedoff as trophies from the former temple, Tatnai transmitted all thisinformation in an official report to his imperial master,accompanying it with a recommendatory suggestion that search shouldbe made among the national archives at Babylon for the originaldecree of Cyrus, that the truth of the Jews’ statement might beverified. The whole conduct of Tatnai, as well as the general tone ofhis despatch, is marked by a sound discretion and prudent moderation,free from any party bias, and evincing a desire only to do his duty.In all respects he appears in favorable contrast with hispredecessor, Rehum (Ezr 4:9).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews,…. He in his providence looked favourably at them, smiled upon them, encouraged them in the work by his good Spirit, and by the prophets, and gave them success, and protected and defended them, see
2Ch 16:9,
that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius; they were not intimidated by what the governor and those with him said to them, but went on in their work; nor did the governor attempt to interrupt them, they having referred him and their cause to Darius for the truth of what they had said, and for further information from him:
and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter; that is, Tatnai and those with him sent a letter to Darius about this affair, to which they had an answer, which are both related in this and the following chapters.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) And then they returned answer.And [till] they should receive answer. It is implied that the eye of their God was with special vigilance fixed on the work, and it will appear that His influence was upon the officials of Persia as well as upon the rulers of the Jews. The letter that follows shows this.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Could not cause them to cease Rather, did not cause them to cease. Tamai and his companions had power to stop the work, but they waited till they might hear from the king Darius.
Till the matter came to Darius Rather, till the decree of Darius went forth.
And then Upon the issuing of Darius’s decree.
They returned answer by letter That is, Darius and his court officers in Persia returned answer. It is better to render the verb impersonally, and then was answered the letter concerning this matter. The letter concerning this matter is immediately added in vers.
6-17; the answer containing Darius’s decree is given in Ezr 6:1-12.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 5. But the eye of their God, &c. i.e. The peculiar favour, good providence, and protection of God. Houbigant renders the last clause of the preceding verse thus: these are the names of the men who have undertaken this building.
REFLECTIONS.1st, About fifteen years the building seems to have continued at a stand, till God by his prophets roused the people to the work.
1. They prophesied unto them, or against them; reproved them for their lukewarmness, and provoked them to renew the building. Note; (1.) Ministers must be faithful reprovers, and urge the sluggish builders to their work. (2.) When God raises up zealous preachers of his word, then there is hope that the wall will be built.
2. The effect of their prophesy was soon evident. Zerubbabel and Jeshua immediately set themselves to the work, and the prophets helped them; so that the people once more began with vigour to build. Note; (1.) They who are first in station, should be first to promote every good work. (2.) The help of the prophets is the most essential part towards the establishment of the spiritual church: though a good magistrate can do much, a good minister can do more.
2nd, No sooner began the work to revive, than the jealousy of their neighbours began to appear.
1. The governors of Samaria, who had succeeded the former in their office, probably at the beginning of the new reign of Darius, immediately inquired into the authority on which the Jews proceeded. They were not, however, afraid or ashamed to produce their charter, and to give in the names of the principal authors of this good work; God encouraging them, and strengthening them to persevere, till the matter came before Darius, to whom they appealed. Note; (1.) If God’s eye be upon us for good, we need not fear what man can do unto us. (2.) The comfortable presence of God should quicken and enliven us to greater diligence in his service.
2. The governors Tatnai and Shethar-boznai hereupon dispatched a letter to the king, informing him of what was doing, and desiring his directions; and herein they acted with much greater candour and honesty than their predecessors, representing the true state of the fact. After wishing the king prosperity and all earthly happiness, they inform him, that they had visited the province of Judea, and observed there a magnificent structure raising to the great God whom the Jews worshipped, which was carried on with assiduity and zeal; that, on inquiring into the authority on which they presumed thus to act, they received for answer, That this house, which a great king among them had formerly erected, and for their sins God had suffered Nebuchadnezzar to destroy, Cyrus had given them a commission to rebuild; and restored to them withal the vessels which had been carried to Babylon: in consequence of which, they had proceeded under the direction of Sheshbazzar, their prince; and that they had ever since been at work upon it, though, by reason of the interruptions they had met with, it was not yet finished. They beg therefore, if the king pleased, that search might be made in the records, respecting the truth of this decree in their favour; and that he would inform them of his pleasure in the matter. Note; (1.) We should ever reflect with shame on the sins that have provoked God’s visitations. (2.) If the people of God can but obtain a fair hearing, they need not fear for their cause. (3.) Many an unjust sentence has gone forth against the faithful, not so much from malice in the magistrate, as from the misinformation of their enemies. (4.) Truth, though long suppressed, will usually at last prevail.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Ezr 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].
Ver. 5. But the eye of their God was upon the elders ] Not the eye of his general providence only (which like unto a well drawn picture vieweth every one that cometh into a room), but the eye of his special grace and favour, Psa 34:15 . He looked upon them; as afterwards the Son of man stood and looked upon St Stephen combating with his cruel persecutors, and clapt him on the shoulders, as it were, saying, Cheer up, Vincenti dabo, &c., Act 7:56 . They also looked up to him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed, Psa 34:5 . Yea, they were steeled, as it were, and made more mettleful; like as Moses and Micaiah, when they had once seen God in his favour, they cared not for the menaces of angry monarchs.
That they could not cause them to cease
Till the matter came to Darius
And then they returned answer
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the eye. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6. elders. Chaldee. sib = grey, hoary. Used only of Ezra here and Ezr 6:7, Ezr 6:8, Ezr 6:14.
Darius. See note on Ezr 4:5.
answer. See note on Ezr 4:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
But the eye: Ezr 7:6, Ezr 7:28, Ezr 8:22, 2Ch 16:9, Psa 32:8, Psa 33:18, Psa 34:15, Psa 76:10, Phi 1:28, 1Pe 3:12
that they: Psa 129:2-5
then they returned: Ezr 6:6-12
Reciprocal: Deu 11:12 – the eyes Ezr 4:5 – Darius Ezr 4:24 – Darius Ezr 6:8 – hindered Neh 2:8 – the king
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 5:5. But the eye of God was upon the elders, &c. The peculiar favour, watchful providence, and powerful protection of God, giving them courage and resolution to go on with the work, notwithstanding the threats of their enemies; and so overruling the hearts and hands of their enemies, that they did not hinder them by force, as they might have done. While we are employed in Gods work, we are taken under his special protection, and his eye is upon us for good.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5:5 But the {c} eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].
(c) His favour and the spirit of strength.