Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

EZRA 5:1KJV
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Ezra 5:1 (KJV)

What does Ezra 5:1 mean?

Ezra 5:1 describes how the prophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke God’s message to the Jews living in Judah and Jerusalem, delivering these words in the name of the God of Israel. This verse marks the moment when these two prophets began encouraging the Jewish people during a crucial time of rebuilding.

Ezra 5:1 sets the scene during the return from exile, when the Jewish community faced opposition and discouragement as they tried to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Haggai and Zechariah, both recognized prophets, are named specifically as those who brought God’s word to the people, signaling a turning point where spiritual leadership was needed to move the community forward.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:1

  • "נְבִיָּא" (nəḇîyā’, transliterated as "prophets" and "prophet"): This word refers to those who speak on behalf of God. The double mention in this verse highlights both the office (prophets in general) and the specific person (Haggai as a prophet).
  • "חַגַּי" (Ḥaggay, "Haggai") and "זְכַרְיָה" (Zəḵaryāh, "Zechariah"): These are the names of the two prophets, showing that God used specific individuals with known identities and histories to deliver His message.
  • "נְבוּ" (nəḇû, "prophesied"): This verb means to speak by divine inspiration. The use of this word emphasizes that Haggai and Zechariah were not just giving advice, but delivering messages they believed came directly from God.
  • "בְּשֵׁם" (bəšēm, "in the name"): This phrase means with the authority or backing of someone, in this case, the God of Israel. It stresses that the prophets’ words carried divine authority, not just personal opinion.

Why Ezra 5:1 matters

  • Ezra 5:1 clarifies that the rebuilding of the temple was not just a political or community effort, but was guided and energized by God’s direct message through recognized prophets.
  • The verse highlights the importance of spiritual leadership during times of difficulty, showing that God’s guidance often comes through specific people at key moments.
  • By naming Haggai and Zechariah, Ezra 5:1 connects this event to the books of Haggai and Zechariah in the Bible, helping readers see how different parts of Scripture fit together in recounting the same period.

Where else these words appear

“prophets” Hebrew H5029 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
  • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

“Judah” Hebrew H3061 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 5:8 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.
  • Ezra 7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
  • Daniel 5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

“son” Hebrew H1247 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
  • Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
  • Daniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

“Israel” Hebrew H3479 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:11 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.
  • Ezra 6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
  • Ezra 7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.