Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:16
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, [and] laid the foundation of the house of God which [is] in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and [yet] it is not finished.
16. Then came the same Sheshbazzar ] The work here ascribed to Sheshbazzar is evidently that over which Zerubbabel presided in chap. 3.
the foundation ] R.V. ‘ the foundations ’; so the Aramaic and Ezr 4:12.
since that time &c.] A sentence showing that the cessation of the work mentioned in Ezr 4:5; Ezr 4:24 must not be taken perfectly literally. Building was carried on from time to time, but no longer on any effective scale. The interval of time was from 536 to 520.
finished ] R.V. completed. A different word in the original from that rendered ‘finish’ in Ezr 5:3; Ezr 5:9; Ezr 5:11, Ezr 6:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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 Ezr 4:24.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Even until now; allowing for some interruptions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. Then came . . . Shesh-bazzar . .. since that time even until now hath it been in buildingThiswas not a part of the Jews’ answerthey could not have said this,knowing the building had long ceased. But Tatnai used theseexpressions in his report, either looking on the stoppage as atemporary interruption, or supposing that the Jews were alwaysworking a little, as they had means and opportunities.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 Zec 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 is not finished; the work going on slowly, not without interruption and intermission, through the enmity of the Samaritans unto them, who had made false representations of them; but these men, Tatnai and those with him, as the Jews gave them a very particular account of things, as above, so they fairly and fully related them in this their letter to the king.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In virtue of this command of Cyrus, this Sheshbazzar came (from Babylon to Jerusalem), and laid then the foundations of the house of God, and from that time till now it has been building, and is not (yet) finished. , part. pass. of , often used in the Targums and in Syriac for the Hebrew ; hence in Dan 5:26 the Aphel, in the meaning of to finish, and Eze 7:19, to restore. This statement does not exclude the cessation from building from the last year of Cyrus to the second of Darius, narrated Ezra 4-6:7, as Bertheau and others suppose, but only leaves the unmentioned circumstance which had been the cause of the delay. If the section Ezra 4:6-23 does not refer to the building of the temple, then neither is a “forcible interruption” of the building spoken of in Ezra 4; but it is only said that the adversaries frustrated the purpose of the Jews to rebuild the temple till the time of Darius, and weakened the hands of the people, so that the work of the house of God ceased.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(16) Since that time.No account is taken of the long interruption. Whether these words are part of the answer given to Tatnai by the Jewish leaders, or his own statement to Darius, it is evident that the unfinished building of a house decreed to be built by Cyrus is regarded as demanding investigation as to the nature and validity of the decree itself.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Since that time even until now hath it been in building It seems that in some way the building had been going on all through those years of trouble, and the year or a little more that it had entirely ceased, after the order of the pseudo-Smerdis, (Ezr 4:24, note,) was not of sufficient importance to be noticed in this letter.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, [and] laid the foundation of the house of God which [is] in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and [yet] it is not finished.
Ver. 16. Then came the same Sheshbazzar ] All this is truly and fairly related (as was likewise that of Doeg to Saul, against Ahimelech), but with no good intent. Now to speak the truth not for any love to the truth, nor for respect to justice, nor for the bettering of the hearer or of the offender, but only to incense the one and prejudice the other, this is plain slandering.
And yet it is not finished
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Sheshbazzar: Ezr 5:14
laid: Ezr 5:2, Ezr 3:8, Ezr 3:10, Hag 1:12-14, Hag 2:18, Zec 4:10, am 3468-3485, bc 536-519
it is not finished: Ezr 6:15
Reciprocal: Ezr 1:8 – Sheshbazzar Zec 4:9 – have
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 5:16. Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation, &c. The building was begun according to this order, as soon as ever we were returned, so that we have not forfeited the benefit of the order, for want of pursuing it in time; still it has been in building; but because we have met with opposition, it is not finished. But observe, they mention not the falsehood and malice of the former governors, nor make any complaint of that, (though they had cause enough,) to teach us not to render bitterness for bitterness; nor the most just reproach for that which is most unjust; but to think it enough if we can obtain fair treatment for the future, without an invidious repetition of former injuries. Let us learn hence, with meekness and fear to give a reason of the hope that is within us, 1Pe 3:15; rightly to understand, and then readily to declare what we do in Gods service, and why we do it.