Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 5:9
Then asked we those elders, [and] said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
9. Who commanded , and to make up ] R.V. Who gave a decree, and to finish. Cf. on Ezr 5:3.
these walls ] R.V. ‘ this wall ’ as in Ezr 5:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Ezr 5:1; Ezr 5:9
Then the prophets, Haggai.
The great work resumed
The best commentary on these verses is the first chapter of Haggai.
I. The inciters to the west.
1. Want of interest in the work is implied.
2. Obligation to perform the work is implied.
3. Exhortations to resume the work were given.
II. The leaders in the work. Then rose up Zerubbabel, etc.
1. They resumed the work readily.
2. They led the work appropriately. Those that are in places of dignity and power, ought with their dignity to put honour upon and with their power to put life into every good work.
3. They led work influentially. The example of those who occupy high stations is–
(1) Most conspicuous.
(2) Most attractive.
III. The helpers in the work. The prophets. They assisted by their–
1. Exhortations to vigorous prosecution of the work.
2. Assurances of the presence of God with them.
3. Promises of future blessings from God to them.
IV. The great first cause of the work. The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, etc. All holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed from Him. I will build My Church, said our Lord to Peter. All the inspiration, wisdom, etc., of the under-builders come from him. Learn–
1. The insidious nature of worldliness.
2. The value of faithful ministers.
3. The solemn obligation of men in eminent stations. (William Jones.)
Hebrew prophets in unfavourable times
The Hebrew prophets came when the circumstances of society were least favourable. Like painters arising to adorn a dingy city, like poets singing of summer in the winter of discontent, like flowers in the wilderness, like wells in the desert, they brought life and strength and gladness to the helpless and despondent, because they came from God. The literary form of their work reflected the civilisation of their day, but there was on it a light that never shone on sea or shore, and this they knew to be the light of God. We never find a true religious revival springing from the spirit of the age. Such a revival always begins in one or two choice souls–in a Moses, a Samuel, a John the Baptist, a St. Bernard, a Jonathan-Edwards, a Wesley, a Newman. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
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
Then asked we those elders,…. The elders of the province of Judea; the chief men of it:
who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? see Ezr 5:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Hereupon the royal officials asked the elders of the Jews who had commanded them to build, and inquired concerning their names, that they might write to the king the names of the leading men (see the remark on 3 and 41). does not mean, who are at the head of them: but, who act in the capacity of heads.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Ezr 5:9 Then asked we those elders, [and] said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
Ver. 9. Who commanded you? ] Chaldee, Who hath made you a decree? See Trapp on “ Ezr 5:3 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Who commanded: Ezr 5:3, Ezr 5:4