Ezra 5:8
New International Version
The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.

New Living Translation
“The king should know that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.

English Standard Version
Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

Berean Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.

King James Bible
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

New King James Version
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

New American Standard Bible
May it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God which is being built with large stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is being performed with great care and is succeeding in their hands.

NASB 1995
“Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with huge stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is going on with great care and is succeeding in their hands.

NASB 1977
“Let it be known to the king, that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with huge stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is going on with great care and is succeeding in their hands.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, and it is being built with huge stones, and timber is being put within the walls; and that work is going on with all diligence and is succeeding in their hands.

Amplified Bible
Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, with beams laid in the walls; and this work goes on with diligence and care and is succeeding in their hands.

Christian Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with cut stones, and its beams are being set in the walls. This work is being done diligently and succeeding through the people’s efforts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with cut stones, and its beams are being set in the walls. This work is being done diligently and succeeding through the people’s efforts.

American Standard Version
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.

Contemporary English Version
We went to Judah, where the temple of the great God is being built with huge stones and wooden beams set in the walls. Everyone is working hard, and the building is going up quickly.

English Revised Version
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your Majesty should know that we went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The temple is being built with large stones and with wooden beams laid in its walls. The builders are doing an excellent job and making rapid progress.

Good News Translation
"Your Majesty should know that we went to the province of Judah and found that the Temple of the great God is being rebuilt with large stone blocks and with wooden beams set in the wall. The work is being done with great care and is moving ahead steadily.

International Standard Version
This is to inform the king that we traveled to the Temple of the great God in the Judean province, which is being built with large stones and reinforced with wooden beams in its walls. The work proceeds diligently and is in capable hands.

Majority Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.

NET Bible
Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. It is being built with large stones, and timbers are being placed in the walls. This work is being done with all diligence and is prospering in their hands.

New Heart English Bible
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work proceedeth rapidly, and prospereth in their hands.

World English Bible
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“To Darius the king, all peace! Be it known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the great house of God, and it is built [with] rolled stones, and wood is placed in the walls, and this work is done speedily, and prospering in their hand.

Young's Literal Translation
To Darius the king, all peace! be it known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the great house of God, and it is built with rolled stones, and wood is placed in the walls, and this work is done speedily, and prospering in their hand.

Smith's Literal Translation
To be known to the king that we went to the Judah province, to the house of the great God; and it was building with stone of rolling, and wood being set up in the walls; and this work being diligently done, and prospering in their hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently, and advanceth in their hands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let it be known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with rough stones, and with timber set into the walls. And this work is being built up diligently, and it increases by their hands.

New American Bible
Let it be known to the king that we have visited the province of Judah and the house of the great God: it is being rebuilt of cut stone and the walls are being reinforced with timber; the work is being carried out diligently, prospering under their hands.

New Revised Standard Version
May it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built of hewn stone, and timber is laid in the walls; this work is being done diligently and prospers in their hands.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be it known to the king that we went to Judea, to the city of the great God, which is being built with large stones, and much timber is laid in the walls; great works are wrought there, and a great enterprise is prospering in their hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But let the King know that we go to Judea to the city of the great God, and she is being built with great stones and many acacia wood beams were bound in its walls, and a great work is done there, and a great work is going up and is progressing to the summit by their hands.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be it known to the king, that we went into the land of Judea, to the house of the great God; and it is building with choice stones, and they are laying timbers in the walls, and that work is prospering, and goes on favorably in their hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tattenai's Letter to Darius
7The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: All peace. 8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands. 9So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”…

Cross References
Ezra 1:2-4
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. / And let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.’”

Haggai 1:14
So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,

Zechariah 4:9
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.

Ezra 6:14
So the Jewish elders built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.

Nehemiah 2:8
And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”

Daniel 6:25-28
Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. / He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” ...

1 Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 6:37-38
The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv. / In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in every detail and according to every specification. So he built the temple in seven years.

Acts 7:47-50
But it was Solomon who built the house for Him. / However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? ...

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Matthew 24:1-2
As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. / “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1-2
As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!” / “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”


Treasury of Scripture

Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goes fast on, and prospers in their hands.

the province

Ezra 2:1
Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

Nehemiah 7:6
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;

Nehemiah 11:3
Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.

the great God

Ezra 1:2,3
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah…

Ezra 6:10
That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Ezra 7:23
Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

great stones.

Mark 13:1,2
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! …

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Ezra 5
1. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, incited by Haggai and Zechariah, set forward to building
3. Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai are not able to hinder the Jews
6. Their letter to Darius against the Jews














Let it be known to the king
This phrase indicates a formal report or communication to the king, likely King Darius of Persia. The phrase underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. In the historical context, the Persian Empire had a vast administrative system, and such reports were crucial for maintaining order and control over distant provinces. The phrase also reflects the biblical principle of respecting authority, as seen in Romans 13:1, where believers are encouraged to submit to governing authorities.

we went to the house of the great God
The "house of the great God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship for the Jewish people. The use of "great God" emphasizes the sovereignty and majesty of Yahweh, distinguishing Him from the many deities worshiped in the Persian Empire. This phrase highlights the monotheistic faith of the Jews amidst a polytheistic culture, reflecting the biblical theme of God's supremacy over all other gods (Exodus 15:11).

in the province of Judah
Judah was a province within the Persian Empire at this time, having been reduced from a kingdom to a mere province due to the Babylonian exile. This phrase situates the narrative geographically and politically, reminding readers of the historical consequences of Israel's disobedience and the subsequent exile. Yet, it also speaks to God's faithfulness in restoring His people to their land, as prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10.

It is being built with large stones
The use of "large stones" signifies the strength and permanence intended for the temple. In ancient construction, large stones were a sign of durability and grandeur. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual strength and resilience that God desires for His people. Theologically, it points to Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), upon which the spiritual temple, the Church, is built.

and its timbers are being set in the walls
The setting of timbers in the walls was a common architectural practice in ancient times, providing structural support and stability. This phrase indicates meticulous planning and execution in the temple's reconstruction. Spiritually, it reflects the careful and intentional work God does in building His Church, ensuring that each believer is placed precisely where they are needed (1 Corinthians 12:18).

This work is being carried out with great care
The phrase "with great care" highlights the dedication and diligence of the builders. It reflects the biblical principle of doing all work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Historically, this careful work was necessary to ensure the temple met the standards of the original structure built by Solomon, symbolizing the restoration of proper worship and devotion to God.

and is succeeding in their hands
The success of the work "in their hands" indicates divine favor and blessing upon the efforts of the builders. It suggests that God was actively involved in the project, ensuring its completion. This phrase serves as a reminder that when God's people align their efforts with His will, they can expect His provision and success (Philippians 4:13). It also encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and timing in their endeavors.

(8) To the house of the great God.--A solemn tribute to the God of the Jews, which, however, the decree of Cyrus enables us to understand in this official document. Tatnai probably dwelt at Damascus, and when he went to Jerusalem was deeply impressed. But he only gives a statement of the progress which he observed in the Temple. "The walls here are the walls within the Temple, not the city walls.

Verse 8. - We went into the province of Judaea. It has been supposed (Pusey's 'Daniel,' p. 571), on the strength of a doubtful passage in Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:7), that Tatnai ordinarily resided at Jernsalem. But this expression indicates the contrary. Most probably the satrap of Syria held his court at Damascus. The house of the great God is a remarkable expression in the mouth of a heathen. It has some parallels, e.g. the expressions of Cyrus in Ezra 1:2, 3, and of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:47 and Daniel 3:29; but they were persons who had been brought to the knowledge that Jehovah was the one true God, under very peculiar and miraculous circumstances. Tatnai, on the other hand, represents the mere ordinary Persian official; and his acknowledgment of the God of the Jews as "the great God" must be held to indicate the general belief of the Persians on the subject (see the comment on Ezra 1:2). Which is builded. Rather, "being builded." With great stones. Literally, "stones of rolling," which is commonly explained as stones so large that they had to be rolled along the ground. But the squared stones used in building neither were, nor could be, rolled; they are always represented as dragged, generally on a rough sledge. And it is not at all probable that in the "day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10) the Jews were building with very large stones. The LXX. translate "choice stones;" the Vulgate "unpolished" or "rough stone." Some of the Jewish expositors suggest "marble." And timber is laid. A good deal of timber had been employed in the old temple, but chiefly for the floors of chambers (1 Kings 6:10), for the internal lining of the walls (ibid. vers. 9, 15), and probably for the roofing. In the new temple, timber seems to have been employed also as the main material of the party-walls. Here again we have a trace of the economy necessary in the "day of small things."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Let it be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֣יעַ ׀ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֗א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּֽי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

we went
אֲזַ֜לְנָא (’ă·zal·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 236: To go, go off

into the province
מְדִֽינְתָּא֙ (mə·ḏî·nə·tā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4083: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

of Judah,
לִיה֤וּד (lî·hūḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3061: Judah -- the southern kingdom, named for one of the twelve tribes

to the house
לְבֵית֙ (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of the great
רַבָּ֔א (rab·bā)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7229: Abundant

God.
אֱלָהָ֣א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

[The people]
וְה֤וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1932: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

are rebuilding it
מִתְבְּנֵא֙ (miṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

with large stones,
אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 69: A stone

and placing
מִתְּשָׂ֣ם (mit·tə·śām)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

timbers
וְאָ֖ע (wə·’ā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 636: A tree, wood

in the walls.
בְּכֻתְלַיָּ֑א (bə·ḵuṯ·lay·yā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 3797: A wall

This
דָ֛ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

work
וַעֲבִ֥ידְתָּא (wa·‘ă·ḇî·ḏə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 5673: Labor, business

is being carried out
מִתְעַבְדָ֖א (miṯ·‘aḇ·ḏā)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep

diligently
אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא (’ā·sə·par·nā)
Adverb
Strong's 629: Thoroughly, with (all) diligence

and is prospering
וּמַצְלַ֥ח (ū·maṣ·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6744: To advance

in their hands.
בְּיֶדְהֹֽם׃ (bə·yeḏ·hōm)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3028: A hand


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OT History: Ezra 5:8 Be it known to the king that (Ezr. Ez)
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