Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:11
And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and set up.
11. We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth ] The words of this profession are very emphatic in the original.
the God of heaven and earth ] i.e. the God not of one kingdom only, but of the whole world, not of terrestrial supremacy alone, but of heavenly as well: see on chap. Ezr 1:2.
build the house that was builded &c.] i.e. we restore the house which having been built in remote times stood as the temple of our God for centuries.
a great king of Israel ] i.e. Solomon. The expression here used shows that Tattenai like Artaxerxes (Ezr 4:20), had heard the rumour either from the Jews themselves or from those acquainted with them, that there had been ‘mighty kings over Jerusalem’. Solomon’s temple was built 1014 1007, nearly 500 years before the reign of Darius.
and set up ] R.V. finished.
Verse 11. We are the servants of the God of heaven] How simple, plain, and ingenuous is this confession! They were the servants of the God of heaven. How came they then into bondage! Why, they provoked the God of heaven – repeatedly sinned against him, and then he gave them into the hands of their enemies. And thus they returned us answer,…. To the purpose and in the manner following:
saying, we are the servants of the God of heaven and earth; signifying that they were doing his work, in obedience to his will, and to whom they were accountable:
and build the house that was builded these many years ago; even five hundred years ago, or thereabout; so that they were not erecting a building where there was none before, but were rebuilding what was in ruins:
which a great king of Israel builded and set up; King Solomon, who was a great king for wisdom, honour, riches, peace, prosperity, and extent of his kingdom.
The answer of the elders of the Jews. They returned us answer in the following manner ( = ): “We are His, the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house which was built many years ago; and a great king of Israel built and completed it.” , of before this, i.e., before the present; to which is added the more precise definition: many years (accusative of time), i.e., many years before the present time.
(11) And thus they returned us answer.The elders of the Jews take the Syrian satrap into their confidence, and give, in a few most pathetic words the record of their national honour, their national infidelity, and their national humiliation. Every word is true to the history, while the whole exhibits their deep humility and holy resolution.
Ezr 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
Ver. 11. We are the servants of the God of heaven ] And in that respect, higher than all the kings on the earth, Psa 89:27 (for all his servants are sons, heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ, Rom 8:17 ), who have held it no small honour to be called his vassals. See how bold these brave men bear themselves upon this relation to the God of heaven and earth, and how courageously they stand to their work, and stout it out with their adversaries. See Trapp on “ Pro 28:1 “
These many years ago the GOD of heaven. See note on 2Ch 36:23. GOD. Chaldee. ‘elah. Same as Eloah. App-4.
these many years ago. Neh 500 years.
and set up. Compare 1Ki 6:1.
We are: Jos 24:15, Psa 119:46, Dan 3:26, Jon 1:9, Mat 10:32, Luk 12:8, Act 27:23, Rom 1:16, Rom 6:16, Gal 6:14
which a great: 1Ki 6:1 – 1Ki 7:51, 2Ch 3:1 – 2Ch 5:14
Reciprocal: 1Ki 3:1 – the house 1Ch 17:12 – He shall Neh 1:4 – the God Eze 16:13 – and thou didst Eze 19:11 – she had Rev 16:11 – the God
Ezr 5:11. We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth The God we worship is not a local deity; and therefore we cannot be charged with making a faction, or forming a sect in building this temple to his honour. But we pay our homage to the God on whom the whole creation depends, and therefore ought to be protected and assisted by all, and hindered by none. It is the wisdom as well as duty of kings to countenance the servants of the God of heaven. And build the house that was builded Or rather, rebuild the house that was first built many years ago.
5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a {d} great king of Israel builded and set up.
(d) That is, Solomon.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes