Ezr 5 | TNotes | STEP | 5:1 Haggai first prophesied on August 29, 520 BC (Hag 1:1 ). Zechariah began prophesying about two months later (Zech 1:1 ). The books of Haggai and Zechariah record their messages (see also Ezra 6:14 ).

5:1 ^a Haggai first prophesied on August 29, 520 BC (Hag 1:1 ^b). Zechariah began prophesying about two months later (Zech 1:1 ^c). The books of Haggai and Zechariah record their messages (see also Ezra 6:14 ^d).
5:2 ^e The Jewish leaders had not led by faith (see Hag 1:1 ^f, 12 ^g). Now God’s Spirit stirred them up (Hag 1:14 ^h), and they obeyed by getting to work.

• Zerubbabel and Jeshua figure prominently in the books of Haggai and Zechariah.
5:3 ⁱ Who gave you permission? Unlike the hostile opposition recorded in ch 4 ^j, this seems to have been a routine inquiry to make sure that everything was done according to official requirements.
5:5 ^k God was watching over them: All credit goes to God’s sovereign control of events, not to any human leader or prophet. God had promised that the ruins would be rebuilt (Isa 44:26 ^l).
Summary for Ezra 5:6-17: 5:6-17 ^m Ezra includes a copy in Aramaic of Tattenai’s letter to King Darius. Unlike the letter of 4:11-16 ⁿ, this letter was a straightforward inquiry into the validity of the Jews’ activity. 5:6 ^o other officials: A Persian term for inspectors or investigators.
5:8 ^p the great God: This title was a Persian way of referring to an important high deity; it does not indicate that the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God.

• Following the pattern of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:36 ^q), after every three rows of prepared stones, a layer of timber was laid in its walls (see Ezra 6:4 ^r) to reduce potential damage from earthquakes.
5:11 ^s the God of heaven: This title would be understood by the Persians: He was the universal high God, not an insignificant local deity.

• a great king of Israel: Solomon (see 1 Kgs 5–8 ^t).
5:12 ^u destroyed this Temple and exiled the people: See 2 Kgs 25:9-17 ^v.
5:13 ^w a decree: See 1:1-4 ^x.
Summary for Ezra 5:14-15: 5:14-15 ^y The Jews provided detailed information that the Persians could check for accuracy (see 1:7-11 ^z).
5:16 ^aa Most likely, Sheshbazzar began the work and Zerubbabel finished it (see study note on 1:8).