They asked who granted the authority to rebuild, but the true authority ultimately lay with the Lord, who moved the heart of Cyrus to let His people return.
Then we read in Ezra 5:9: “Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’” (v.9). This statement comes from the Persian officials questioning the returning Judean exiles who were in the midst of rebuilding God’s temple in Jerusalem. Their inquiry reveals the political and religious tension of the time, since the Judeans claimed to be acting under a royal decree while their adversaries sought to challenge their authority (Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:1-2). Many of the returning exiles had first arrived under the decree of King Cyrus in 538 BC, but disruptive opposition halted their efforts for about sixteen years, until prophets like Haggai and Zechariah urged them to resume.
In this verse, the reference to “those elders” points to the leaders among the Judean community—men such as Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest—who spearheaded the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s worship (Ezra 5:2). Their influence and commitment were instrumental not only in the physical rebuilding of the temple’s walls and structure, but in restoring covenant faithfulness. From the viewpoint of the empire’s provincial administrators, however, any large-scale venture needed imperial sanction. So they demanded proof of a so-called “permit” to rebuild, hinting that such construction could be an act of rebellion if done without official endorsement.
At this point, the larger context of the Persian Empire is essential. Darius was king at the time these officials wrote to him, hoping to verify the authenticity of the Jews’ claim that Cyrus had indeed permitted them to rebuild (Ezra 5:6-17). The decree they cited, which Cyrus originally issued, was a testament to God’s providential control over earthly kingdoms (Isaiah 44:28). Even pagan rulers like Cyrus and Darius factored into God’s plan to re-establish true worship among His covenant people. In this way, the question posed in (v.9) sets the stage for a renewed recognition of God’s sovereignty and for a restoration of Israel’s proper worship.
The exiles were simply trying to obey the covenant commitment to keep God’s ways and honor Him with a restored temple. Yet they faced suspicion from authorities who wanted to ensure no rebellious activity was stirring in the region. Later events confirm that the Judeans indeed had legal grounds for rebuilding, reminding us that even in politically uncertain times, God remains faithful to His people (Ezra 6:6-15).
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Ezra 5:9 meaning
Then we read in Ezra 5:9: “Then we asked those elders and said to them thus, ‘Who issued you a decree to rebuild this temple and to finish this structure?’” (v.9). This statement comes from the Persian officials questioning the returning Judean exiles who were in the midst of rebuilding God’s temple in Jerusalem. Their inquiry reveals the political and religious tension of the time, since the Judeans claimed to be acting under a royal decree while their adversaries sought to challenge their authority (Ezra 4:24; Ezra 5:1-2). Many of the returning exiles had first arrived under the decree of King Cyrus in 538 BC, but disruptive opposition halted their efforts for about sixteen years, until prophets like Haggai and Zechariah urged them to resume.
In this verse, the reference to “those elders” points to the leaders among the Judean community—men such as Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest—who spearheaded the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s worship (Ezra 5:2). Their influence and commitment were instrumental not only in the physical rebuilding of the temple’s walls and structure, but in restoring covenant faithfulness. From the viewpoint of the empire’s provincial administrators, however, any large-scale venture needed imperial sanction. So they demanded proof of a so-called “permit” to rebuild, hinting that such construction could be an act of rebellion if done without official endorsement.
At this point, the larger context of the Persian Empire is essential. Darius was king at the time these officials wrote to him, hoping to verify the authenticity of the Jews’ claim that Cyrus had indeed permitted them to rebuild (Ezra 5:6-17). The decree they cited, which Cyrus originally issued, was a testament to God’s providential control over earthly kingdoms (Isaiah 44:28). Even pagan rulers like Cyrus and Darius factored into God’s plan to re-establish true worship among His covenant people. In this way, the question posed in (v.9) sets the stage for a renewed recognition of God’s sovereignty and for a restoration of Israel’s proper worship.
The exiles were simply trying to obey the covenant commitment to keep God’s ways and honor Him with a restored temple. Yet they faced suspicion from authorities who wanted to ensure no rebellious activity was stirring in the region. Later events confirm that the Judeans indeed had legal grounds for rebuilding, reminding us that even in politically uncertain times, God remains faithful to His people (Ezra 6:6-15).