King James Version

What Does Ezra 5:8 Mean?

Ezra 5:8 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. great: Chaldee, stones of rolling”

Ezra 5:8 · KJV

Context

6

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

7

They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. wherein: Chaldee, in the midst whereof

8

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. great: Chaldee, stones of rolling

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.

Read Ezra 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Tatnai's report provides remarkable testimony to the temple reconstruction's progress. The phrase "the house of the great God" (beth elaha rabba) acknowledges Yahweh's significance—even this Persian official recognized Israel's God as "great." The construction details—"great stones" and "timber laid in the walls"—describe substantial, permanent construction rather than temporary structures.

Most significantly, the report states "this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands." The Aramaic matzlach (prospereth) indicates thriving success. Despite years of opposition, prophetic encouragement through Haggai and Zechariah had revitalized the project. God transformed what opponents intended as a damaging report into documentation of His blessing. The officials inadvertently testified that God was prospering His people's work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The "great stones" (eben gelal) refer to large hewn blocks characteristic of monumental construction. Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Jerusalem confirms significant building activity during this era. The combination of stone and timber construction follows the pattern of Solomon's original temple (1 Kings 6:36) and appears in Cyrus's original decree (Ezra 6:4). The construction technique of alternating stone courses with timber beams provided earthquake resistance common in ancient Near Eastern architecture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How remarkable is it that a Persian official called Yahweh "the great God"? What does this recognition suggest about God's witness even among unbelievers?
  2. When God causes our work to "prosper," how should we respond to those who investigate or question our activities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
יְדִ֣יעַ׀1 of 23
H3046

to inform

לֶֽהֱוֵ֣א2 of 23

“Be it known”

H1934

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

לְמַלְכָּ֗א3 of 23

“unto the king”

H4430

a king

דִּֽי4 of 23
H1768

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

אֲזַ֜לְנָא5 of 23

“that we went”

H236

to depart

לִיה֤וּד6 of 23

“of Judea”

H3061

properly, judah, hence, judaea

מְדִֽינְתָּא֙7 of 23

“into the province”

H4083

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

לְבֵית֙8 of 23

“to the house”

H1005

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

אֱלָהָ֣א9 of 23

“God”

H426

god

רַבָּ֔א10 of 23

“of the great”

H7229

abundant

וְה֤וּא11 of 23
H1932

he (she or it); self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

מִתְבְּנֵא֙12 of 23

“which is builded”

H1124

to build

אֶ֣בֶן13 of 23

“stones”

H69

a stone

גְּלָ֔ל14 of 23

“with great”

H1560

weight or size (as if rolled)

וְאָ֖ע15 of 23

“and timber”

H636

a tree or wood

מִתְּשָׂ֣ם16 of 23

“is laid”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בְּכֻתְלַיָּ֑א17 of 23

“in the walls”

H3797

a wall (as gathering inmates)

וַֽעֲבִ֥ידְתָּא18 of 23

“work”

H5673

labor or business

דָ֛ךְ19 of 23

“and this”

H1791

this

אָסְפַּ֥רְנָא20 of 23

“fast”

H629

diligently

מִתְעַבְדָ֖א21 of 23

“goeth”

H5648

to do, make, prepare, keep, etc

וּמַצְלַ֥ח22 of 23

“on and prospereth”

H6744

to advance (transitive or intransitive)

בְּיֶדְהֹֽם׃23 of 23

“in their hands”

H3028

hand (indicating power)

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 5:8 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 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 145:3Deuteronomy 10:17Daniel 4:34-37Ezra 6:10Nehemiah 7:6Ezra 1:2-3

Places in This Verse

Judea 2Region · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in Ezra 5 →

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