Ezra 5:6-17 · Bible study
Ezra 5:6-17 Commentary: A Letter to the King
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How Tattenai's letter to Darius shows God's providence through Persian authority. Aramaic grammar, historical context, and the Jews' faithful witness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Persian officials, investigating the temple rebuilding, write an honest report to Darius, and the Jews give a faithful theological account of their history and legal rights, leading to a search that confirms God’s hidden hand.
- Key words: ‘iggarta’ (letter), pithgama’ (official word), te’em (decree), ‘avad’ (servant), mitbene’ (being built, passive participle showing ongoing action).
- Main debate: Whether Sheshbazzar is a name for Zerubbabel or a separate governor. Gill identifies them; Clarke and others see a different figure, possibly a military officer. Also, whether the letter’s claim of continuous building (v. 16) is technically inaccurate (Barnes) or descriptive from the officials’ perspective (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown).
- Theological theme: Divine sovereignty works through imperial bureaucracy; honest witness and confession are part of faithful life under foreign rule.
- Best use: Teaching on God’s invisible guidance in politics, the importance of truthful testimony under scrutiny, and the value of understanding legal rights as gifts from God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius.
7The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: All peace.
8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.
9So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
10We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.
11And this is the answer they returned: “We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.
12But since our fathers angered the God of heaven, He delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean who destroyed this temple and carried away the people to Babylon.
13In his first year, however, Cyrus king of Babylon issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.
14He also removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken and carried there from the temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus gave these articles to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor
15and instructed, ‘Take these articles, put them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.’
16So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed.”
17Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
WEB World English Bible 2000
6The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
7They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.
8Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
9Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
10We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
11Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
12But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon.
13But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
14The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king also took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.
15He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in its place.’
16Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until now it has been being built, and yet it is not completed.
17Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was made by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”
KJV King James Version 1769
6The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar–boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
7They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8Be 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.
9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
10We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11And 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.
12But 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.
13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
14And 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;
15And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
17Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
6The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
7they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
10We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished.
12But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
13But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
14And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought 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;
15and he said unto him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed.
17Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
6The copy of a letter that Tatnai, governor beyond the river, hath sent, and Shethar-Boznai and his companions, the Apharsachites who are beyond the river, unto Darius the king.
7A letter they have sent unto him, and thus is it written in it:
8`To Darius the king, all peace! be it known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the great house of God, and it is built with rolled stones, and wood is placed in the walls, and this work is done speedily, and prospering in their hand.
9Then we have asked of these elders, thus we have said to them, Who hath made for you a decree this house to build, and this wall to finish?
10And also their names we have asked of them, to let thee know, that we might write the names of the men who are at their head.
11`And thus they have returned us word, saying, We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built many years before this, that a great king of Israel built and finished:
12but after that our fathers made the God of heaven angry, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon the Chaldean, and this house he destroyed, and the people he removed to Babylon;
13but in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God,
14and also, the vessels of the house of God, of gold and silver, that Nebuchadnezzar had taken forth out of the temple that is in Jerusalem, and brought them to the temple of Babylon, them hath Cyrus the king brought forth out of the temple of Babylon, and they have been given to one , Sheshbazzar is his name, whom he made governor,
15and said to him, These vessels lift up, go, put them down in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and the house of God is builded on its place.
16Then hath this Sheshbazzar come--he hath laid the foundations of the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and from thence even till now it hath been building, and is not finished.
17`And now, if to the king it be good, let search be made in the treasure-house of the king, that is there in Babylon, whether it be that of Cyrus the king there was made a decree to build this house of God in Jerusalem, and the will of the king concerning this thing he doth send unto us.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
6The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were on this side the river, sent to Darius the king.
7They sent a report to him in which was written thus: To Darius the king, all peace!
8Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work is being carried on with diligence, and prospers in their hand.
9Then asked we those elders: thus we said to them, Who gave you orders to build this house and to complete this wall?
10We asked their names also, to inform thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of the heavens and the earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago; and a great king of Israel built and completed it.
12But after that our fathers had provoked the God of the heavens to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, and he destroyed this house, and carried the people away unto Babylon.
13But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, king Cyrus gave orders to build this house of God.
14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was at Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those did king Cyrus take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one Sheshbazzar by name, whom he had appointed governor.
15And he said to him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is at Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, [and] laid the foundation of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and since that time even until now has it been in building, and it is not completed.
17And now, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the king's treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that orders were given by king Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6The copy of the letter that Thathanai governor of the country beyond the river, and Stharbuzanai, and his counsellors the Arphasachites, who dwelt beyond the river, sent to Darius the king.
7The letter which they sent him, was written thus: To Darius the king all peace.
8Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently and advanceth in their hands.
9And we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?
10We asked also of them their names, that we might give thee notice: and we have written the names of the men that are the chief among them.
11And they answered us in these words, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building a temple that was built these many years ago, and which a great king of Israel built and set up.
12But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he delivered them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon the Chaldean: and he destroyed this house, and carried away the people to Babylon.
13But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, king Cyrus set forth a decree, that this house of God should be built.
14And the vessels also of gold and silver of the temple of God, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the temple, that was in Jerusalem, and had brought them to the temple of Babylon, king Cyrus brought out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one Sassabasar, whom also he appointed governor,
15And said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
16Then came this same Sassabasar, and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it is in building, and is not yet finished.
17Now therefore if it seem good to the king, let him search in the king's library, which is in Babylon, whether it hath been decreed by Cyrus the king, that the house of God in Jerusalem should be built, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Ezra 5:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this letter is a remarkably fair and neutral report from Persian officials. Clarke notes “nothing of passion or prejudice appears in it”, Tattenai lets the facts speak. The elders’ response forms the heart of the passage: they humbly identify as “servants of the God of heaven and earth” (v. 11), give a candid theological explanation for the exile (v. 12), and honour the decree of Cyrus as their legal warrant (vv. 13, 15). Barnes points out that the officials actually overstate the truth when they say building has continued “since that time even until now” (v. 16), because work had ceased for years (Ezra 4:24). But their overstatement is not malicious; it simply reflects the legal perspective that an unrevoked Persian decree remained in force. The request for a search in the royal treasure-house (v. 17) shows they know how Persian bureaucracy works. Throughout, the controlling reality is what verse 5 quietly states: “the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews.” God is the real mover behind the letter.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Letter as neutral report: Tattenai includes both sides without distortion; the request for archive search shows he is not biased (Clarke).
- Letter as providentially guided testimony: The elders’ answer is crafted to present a legal and theological case that God uses to secure Darius’ support (Matthew Henry, Keil).
- Letter as slightly idealized history: Barnes notes the claim of continuous building is not strictly accurate, suggesting the officials (or later editor) smoothed over the interruption to strengthen the legal argument.
What is clear: God’s providential care is the controlling theme; the letter, whatever its minor historical inaccuracies, serves to confirm the Jewish right to rebuild and advances God’s plan for the temple's completion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Sheshbazzar's identity | Sheshbazzar is a leader appointed by Cyrus to oversee the return and temple foundation, likely a prince of Judah (Gill, following some Jewish tradition, equates him with Zerubbabel). | Gill argues Sheshbazzar is Zerubbabel; Clarke suggests he is a military officer distinct from Zerubbabel. The text does not resolve this conclusively, as Ezra 1:8 names Sheshbazzar as prince of Judah, while Ezra 3 names Zerubbabel as laying the foundation. |
| Continuity of building work | The letter states that building has continued from Sheshbazzar's time to the present (v. 16). | Barnes notes work actually stopped for a period (Ezra 4:24). Some commentators think the letter overstates; others (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) argue the officials considered the interruption a temporary pause, or that construction was always ongoing at some minimal level. |
| Providence in the letter | God's hand is behind the entire episode, as Ezra 5:5 states: the elders were protected from premature cessation. | Catholic and Protestant traditions both affirm providence here. Debates arise over how direct or hidden that providence is, some emphasize miraculous preservation, others see God working in ordinary administrative processes. |
Historical & Cultural Context
These events unfold in 520 BC, the second year of Darius I (Hystaspes) of Persia. Cyrus had conquered Babylon in 539 and issued the decree allowing exiles to return and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1, 4). Work began well (Ezra 3) but stalled after opposition led to a royal ban during the reigns of Cambyses and the usurper Pseudo-Smerdis (Ezra 4:1, 24). Prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people to restart in 520 (Ezra 5:1, 2).
Tattenai was the Persian satrap (governor) of the province “Beyond the River” (Aramaic: ‘avar nahara’), the entire region west of the Euphrates, including Syria, Phoenicia, and Samaria. Judah was a sub-province within his jurisdiction. When Tattenai and his associates saw the temple construction resume, they did not immediately stop the work as their predecessors had (Ezra 4:23). Instead, they investigated and wrote to Darius, a change that verse 5 attributes to God’s watchful care.
The letter is written in Official Aramaic, the lingua franca of the Persian empire. Two different Aramaic words appear for “letter” in verses 6 and 7: ‘iggarta’ (the document itself) and pithgama’ (the official word or decree). Such attention to vocabulary shows the administrative care of Persian chancelleries. The officials request a search in the royal treasure-house at Babylon, not for treasure but for archived edicts. The search would later extend to Ecbatana, where Cyrus’ decree was found rolled up in a scroll (Ezra 6:1, 2). Persian kings kept meticulous records, and God used that bureaucratic habit to preserve His people’s legal standing.
Theologically, this passage sits at a hinge. The earlier opposition had used slander to stop the work. Now a Persian governor’s fair-minded inquiry leads to a search that confirms the Jews’ rights. God works not by miraculous intervention alone, but by guiding the minds and decisions of foreign rulers.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries do not note any significant textual variants for Ezra 5:6, 17. The Aramaic text is well preserved. The list of officials (Apharsachites, etc.) appears with similar spelling in Ezra 4:9; minor differences reflect scribal conventions. The main textual issue is the Keri/Qere in verse 15, where a variant reading ‘el (“these”) is noted for the consonantal ‘elah, a minor change that does not affect meaning. No other variants of consequence are reported.
Reception History
From the early church onward, this passage has been read as an example of God’s hidden sovereignty over the nations. Patristic writers such as Theodoret of Cyrus (5th century) saw the letter as illustrating how God turns the hearts of rulers. Medieval Jewish commentators, following Rashi, emphasized the honesty of the elders’ confession as a model of repentance and trust. During the Reformation, the Geneva Bible notes highlight that “the eye of their God was on the elders”, encouraging believers under hostile authorities to trust in divine protection. Modern evangelical commentators often use the passage to discuss Christian engagement with secular government, noting that truthful testimony and respect for law can serve God’s purposes. The letter’s neutral tone and its preservation of the Jews’ theological summary have been valued across traditions as a witness to the power of plain, honest speech in public settings.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A fair hearing from unexpected sources. Tattenai could have used force (as earlier officials did), but he wrote an honest report. God can incline the hearts of governing authorities to act with justice.
- Honest testimony under official scrutiny. The elders do not flatter or exaggerate. They confess their nation’s sin, “our fathers provoked the God of heaven” (v. 12), and stand on Cyrus’ decree. Truthfulness, even about failure, is the best defence.
- God’s providence works through paperwork. The request to search the archives seems mundane, but it opens the door for God to make His will legally binding. The same God who calls the stars also guides the filing of Persian records.
Five-point outline
- The arrival of the governor (vv. 6, 8), power appears, but God’s eye is on His people.
- The question of authority (vv. 9, 10), who gave you this decree?
- The elders’ answer: identity, history, and confession (vv. 11, 12).
- The legal foundation: Cyrus’ decree and Sheshbazzar’s role (vv. 13, 16).
- The appeal: search the archives (v. 17), a request that trusts the system God controls.
Illustration hooks
- Building permits: A church faces a city inspection after neighbours complain. The contractor provides the original permit, and the inspector is fair. The paperwork tells the story.
- Honest history: A local school board asks for the founding documents of a community centre. The board members present not only the charter but also explain why the centre was closed for a decade. Their honesty earns trust.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God use Persian kings and bureaucrats to get His temple built? Why not just a miracle?
- How can I testify about my faith to someone in authority without sounding defensive or superior?
- What does it mean that “the eye of their God was on the elders”, does God guard us from every bad outcome?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how God works through the ordinary channels of government to accomplish His purposes. The elders speak truthfully and respectfully to a powerful official, and their answer becomes part of the official record that eventually silences opposition.
Discussion questions
- Read Ezra 5:5. How does this verse frame everything that follows in verses 6, 17? What difference does knowing “the eye of their God was on the elders” make as we read the letter?
- Tattenai includes the elders’ full answer in his report. Why do you think he does that? What does it tell us about his character?
- The elders describe themselves as “servants of the God of heaven and earth.” In what ways does their self-identification shape the rest of their response?
- Why do the elders include the story of the exile and the destruction of the temple? How is that confession of national sin part of their witness?
- How does the appeal to Cyrus’ decree (vv. 13, 15) show trust in human law as well as in God? Are the two in conflict?
- The letter asks Darius to search the royal archives. What does that tell us about how the Jews and Tattenai view the authority of official Persian decrees?
- When have you had to trust that God works through institutions, processes, or people in authority to accomplish something good?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Ezra 4:9 | Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites, |
| Ezra 4:11 | This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River. |
| Ezra 4:23 | Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms. |
| Ezra 5:3 | At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?” |
| Ezra 6:6 | Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there. |
| Ezra 4:17 | Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace. |
| Daniel 3:9 | They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, “O king, live for ever! |
| Daniel 4:1 | Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that the letter sent to the king displays remarkable candor and good sense, free from passion or prejudice, simply presenting the facts for a fair judgment. This measured approach, he notes, reflects God's continued care for a disobedient people whom He had punished but now showed mercy by guiding the whole affair.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the adversaries exaggerated by claiming work had been stopped "since then until now," when in fact it had only been suspended for a while. He also observes they called for a search at Babylon, doubting whether Cyrus's decree survived Pseudo-Smerdis's reign, but the decree was actually found later at Ecbatana.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary emphasizes the precise historical and linguistic details in this passage, noting how the original Aramaic terms and official titles align with Persian administrative practice. It also points out that the Jews' emphatic confession and Tattenai's respectful language reflect standard Eastern court protocol, not later invention.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Tatnai and his colleagues gave the king a thorough and honest report. They neither withheld nor distorted what the Jewish elders told them about their work. The letter faithfully records the elders' explanation that they serve the God of heaven, are rebuilding Solomon's former temple, and rely on Cyrus's original decree.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the stones in the temple were so massive they could not be carried and had to be rolled or dragged. He highlights that the historian inserts a parenthetical remark about God watching over the Jewish elders, showing that divine favor kept the satrap from interrupting construction while official inquiry was made.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch observes that the Persian officials, having learned of Cyrus's decree from the Jewish elders, respectfully call God "the great God" in their letter. He also notes that the elders' claim the temple has been building continuously does not contradict the earlier forced cessation; it simply leaves that interruption unmentioned.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that "the eye of their God" is used instead of "the hand" to stress God's providence and wisdom, not just His power. This watchful care made the Persian officials act with restraint, protecting the builders from interruption while the matter was reported to Darius.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the Samaritans largely agreed with the false accusations against the Jews. He reasons that if the king had heard the true situation, he would not have stopped the work. Persecution of God's people, Wesley observes, only succeeds when they are misrepresented and lied about.