Now 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.
EZRA 5:17KJVWhat does Ezra 5:17 mean?
Ezra 5:17 describes a request to the Persian king, asking him to search the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus had truly issued a decree allowing the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and to let them know the king’s decision about the matter. The verse shows the builders seeking official confirmation and guidance from the current king regarding their right to continue the temple project.
The context is a letter sent by local Persian officials to King Darius, reporting on the Jews’ rebuilding efforts and asking for clarification about their authority to do so. The officials suggest searching for a past decree from Cyrus, showing both their caution and the importance of legal documentation in the Persian Empire. This verse highlights the careful process of verifying royal commands and the significance of written records in resolving disputes over religious and civic projects.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:17
- "treasure house" (בֵּית גִּנְזַיָּא, beit ginzayya): This term refers to the royal archives or record house in Babylon, not just a place for storing wealth but also important documents. The request is for a search of these official records, emphasizing the legal basis for the Jews’ work.
- "decree" (טְעֵם, te‘em): This word means an official order or edict. The officials are specifically asking for evidence of a formal, binding command from King Cyrus, not just a rumor or oral tradition.
- "pleasure" (רְעוּ, re‘u): This word carries the sense of the king’s decision or will. The officials are deferring to the king’s judgment, showing the central authority of the Persian monarch in such matters.
Why Ezra 5:17 matters
- This verse clarifies that the rebuilding of the temple was not simply a local initiative but was tied to imperial policy and required official documentation.
- It shows the careful and bureaucratic process of the Persian administration, where even religious projects needed to be validated by written royal decrees.
- The verse connects the events of Ezra to earlier Persian history, specifically the decree of Cyrus, and sets up the resolution that follows in the next chapter when the decree is found.