King James Version

What Does Ezra 5:9 Mean?

Ezra 5:9 in the King James Version says “Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezra 5:9 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Ezra 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The officials' questions sought to establish authorization: "Who commanded you to build this house?" The Aramaic sam teem (gave command/decree) indicates they sought official documentation—a royal decree authorizing construction. Persian law required such authorization for significant building projects, especially those involving fortifications or temples that could serve as centers of political resistance.

The question "to make up these walls" may refer either to the temple walls or potentially Jerusalem's city walls, which would raise greater security concerns. The officials' inquiry was legally appropriate—they needed to verify that this substantial construction project had proper imperial authorization. Their investigation, though initially threatening, would ultimately vindicate the Jewish community.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Building authorization was a serious matter in the Persian Empire. The Elephantine papyri document Jewish colonists requesting permission to rebuild their temple in Egypt, showing that such authorization was routinely required. Unauthorized construction could be interpreted as rebellion, particularly in the politically volatile early years of Darius's reign when numerous provinces had revolted against Persian authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers respond when authorities demand accountability for kingdom work—with fear or with confident transparency?
  2. What does proper authorization for ministry look like in a church context, and why is accountability important?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֱדַ֗יִן1 of 17

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

שְׁאֵ֙לְנָא֙2 of 17

“asked”

H7593

to ask

לְשָֽׂבַיָּ֣א3 of 17

“elders”

H7868

properly, to become aged, i.e., (by implication) to grow gray

אִלֵּ֔ךְ4 of 17

“we those”

H479

these

כְּנֵ֖מָא5 of 17

“unto them thus”

H3660

so or thus

אֲמַ֣רְנָא6 of 17

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

לְּהֹ֑ם7 of 17
H0
מַן8 of 17

“Who”

H4479

who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)

שָׂ֨ם9 of 17

“commanded”

H7761

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

לְכֹ֜ם10 of 17
H0
טְעֵ֗ם11 of 17
H2942

properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)

בַּיְתָ֤א12 of 17

“house”

H1005

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

דְנָ֖ה13 of 17

“these”

H1836

this

לְמִבְנְיָ֔ה14 of 17

“you to build”

H1124

to build

וְאֻשַּׁרְנָ֥א15 of 17

“walls”

H846

a wall (from its uprightness)

דְנָ֖ה16 of 17

“these”

H1836

this

לְשַׁכְלָלָֽה׃17 of 17

“and to make 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 5:9 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 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 5:3-4

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