King James Version

What Does Ezra 5:11 Mean?

Ezra 5:11 in the King James Version says “And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that w...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 5:11 · KJV

Context

9

Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

10

We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.

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.

12

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.

13

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Read Ezra 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Jewish elders' response begins with bold theological confession: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth." The Aramaic title elah shemaya ve'ar'a (God of heaven and earth) asserts Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all creation—not merely a local deity but the cosmic Creator. This confession before Persian officials paralleled Daniel's testimony in Babylon, maintaining covenant identity under foreign rule.

Their reference to Solomon ("a great king of Israel") connected the current project to Israel's glorious past. The original temple "builded these many years ago" stood approximately 400 years before its destruction, representing the pinnacle of Israel's architectural and spiritual achievement. By invoking Solomon's legacy, the elders established continuity between their restoration work and divinely authorized worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon completed the first temple around 966 BC; it was destroyed in 586 BC—approximately 380 years of continuous service. The elders' appeal to this ancient heritage strategically emphasized that Jerusalem's temple predated the Persian Empire itself. Their response demonstrated diplomatic wisdom: acknowledging Persian authority while asserting their project's ancient, legitimate origins under God's authorization.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the elders' bold confession—"We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth"—model faithful witness before secular authorities?
  2. Why is connecting current ministry to its historical and biblical roots important for establishing legitimacy and continuity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וּכְנֵ֥מָא1 of 25

“And thus”

H3660

so or thus

פִתְגָמָ֖א2 of 25

“us answer”

H6600

a word, answer, letter or decree

הֲתִיב֣וּנָא3 of 25

“they returned”

H8421

specifically (transitive and ellip.) to reply

לְמֵמַ֑ר4 of 25

“saying”

H560

to speak, to command

אֲנַ֣חְנָא5 of 25

“We”

H586

we

הִמּ֡וֹ6 of 25

“are”

H1994

they

עַבְדוֹהִי֩7 of 25

“the servants”

H5649

a servant

דִֽי8 of 25
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

אֱלָ֨הּ9 of 25

“of the God”

H426

god

שְׁמַיָּ֜א10 of 25

“of heaven”

H8065

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאַרְעָ֗א11 of 25

“and earth”

H772

the earth; by implication (figuratively) low

בְּנָ֖הִי12 of 25

“and build”

H1124

to build

בַּיְתָא֙13 of 25

“the house”

H1005

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

דִּֽי14 of 25
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

הֲוָ֨א15 of 25

“that was”

H1934

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

בְּנָ֖הִי16 of 25

“and build”

H1124

to build

מִקַּדְמַ֤ת17 of 25

“ago”

H6928

former time

דְּנָה֙18 of 25

“these”

H1836

this

שְׁנִ֣ין19 of 25

“years”

H8140

year

שַׂגִּיאָ֔ן20 of 25

“many”

H7690

large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)

וּמֶ֤לֶךְ21 of 25

“king”

H4430

a king

לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙22 of 25

“of Israel”

H3479

isreal

רַ֔ב23 of 25

“which a great”

H7229

abundant

בְּנָ֖הִי24 of 25

“and build”

H1124

to build

וְשַׁכְלְלֵֽהּ׃25 of 25

“and set up”

H3635

to complete

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 5:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 27:23Romans 1:161 Kings 6:1-7Jonah 1:9Psalms 119:46Galatians 6:14

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