King James Version

What Does Ezra 5:12 Mean?

Ezra 5:12 in the King James Version says “But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the k...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 5:12 · KJV

Context

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.

14

And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; governor: or, deputy

Read Ezra 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The elders' confession of national sin is theologically remarkable: "Our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath." The Aramaic hargizu (provoked to anger) acknowledges that exile was divine judgment, not merely political misfortune. They accepted responsibility rather than blaming circumstances, demonstrating genuine repentance and covenant understanding.

Nebuchadnezzar is explicitly named as God's instrument: God "gave them into the hand of" the Babylonian king. This confession echoes Jeremiah's prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar was God's servant executing divine judgment (Jeremiah 25:9). The Jews acknowledged that temple destruction and exile resulted from covenant unfaithfulness, not Babylonian superiority. Even in appealing to Persian authorities, they maintained theological integrity about their history.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned 605-562 BC) conquered Jerusalem in stages: 605 BC (Daniel's deportation), 597 BC (Jehoiachin's exile), and 586 BC (temple destruction and final deportation). The title "king of Babylon, the Chaldean" uses both geographic and ethnic designations, reflecting the Neo-Babylonian Empire's Chaldean dynasty. Archaeological evidence abundantly confirms Nebuchadnezzar's Jerusalem campaigns, including the Babylonian Chronicles.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the elders' honest confession of national sin teach about taking responsibility rather than making excuses?
  2. How does acknowledging God's discipline in the past provide proper context for understanding His restoration in the present?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
לָהֵ֗ן1 of 20

“But”

H3861

therefore; also except

מִן2 of 20

“after”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

דִּ֨י3 of 20
H1768

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

הַרְגִּ֤זוּ4 of 20

“had provoked”

H7265

to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)

אֲבָהֳתַ֙נָא֙5 of 20

“that our fathers”

H2

father

לֶֽאֱלָ֣הּ6 of 20

“the God”

H426

god

שְׁמַיָּ֔א7 of 20

“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

יְהַ֣ב8 of 20

“he gave”

H3052

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

הִמּ֔וֹ9 of 20

“them”

H1994

they

בְּיַ֛ד10 of 20

“into the hand”

H3028

hand (indicating power)

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר11 of 20

“of Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 20

“the king”

H4430

a king

לְבָבֶֽל׃13 of 20

“into Babylon”

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

כַּסְדָּיָ֑א14 of 20

“the Chaldean”

H3679

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

וּבַיְתָ֤ה15 of 20

“house”

H1005

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

דְנָה֙16 of 20

“this”

H1836

this

סַתְרֵ֔הּ17 of 20

“who destroyed”

H5642

to conceal; figuratively, to demolish

וְעַמָּ֖ה18 of 20

“the people”

H5972

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַגְלִ֥י19 of 20

“and carried”

H1541

to reveal, to carry away

לְבָבֶֽל׃20 of 20

“into Babylon”

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 5:12 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 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 36:16-17Daniel 9:5Jeremiah 39:1-142 Kings 24:2Nehemiah 9:26-272 Kings 25:1

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
BabyloniaRegion · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E15 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezra 5 →

Test Your Knowledge

Ezra 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzra Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezra 5 with CommentaryAll Ezra ChaptersComplete Ezra QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes