7 They sent H7972 a letter H6600 unto H5922 him, wherein H1459 was written H3790 thus; H1836 Unto Darius H1868 the king, H4430 all H3606 peace. H8001
Then sent H7972 the king H4430 an answer H6600 unto H5922 Rehum H7348 the chancellor, H1169 H2942 and to Shimshai H8124 the scribe, H5613 and to the rest H7606 of their companions H3675 that dwell H3488 in Samaria, H8115 and unto the rest H7606 beyond H5675 the river, H5103 Peace, H8001 and at such a time. H3706
Then H116 said H4449 Daniel H1841 unto H5974 the king, H4430 O king, H4430 live H2418 for ever. H5957
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezra 5
Commentary on Ezra 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
We left the temple-work at a full stop; but, being God's work, it shall be revived, and here we have an account of the reviving of it. It was hindered by might and power, but it was set a-going again "by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts.' Now here we are told how that blessed Spirit,
Ezr 5:1-2
Some reckon that the building of the temple was suspended for only nine years; I am willing to believe that fifteen years were the utmost. During this time they had an altar and a tabernacle, which no doubt they made use of. When we cannot do what we would we must do what we can in the service of God, and be sorry we can do no better. But the counsellors that were hired to hinder the work (ch. 4:5) told them, and perhaps with a pretence to inspiration, that the time had not come for the building of the temple (Hag. 1:2), urging that it was long ere the time came for the building of Solomon's temple; and thus the people were made easy in their own ceiled houses, while God's house lay waste. Now here we are told how life was put into that good cause which seemed to lie dead.
Ezr 5:3-17
We have here,