Ezra 5:5

5 But their God was watching over the older leaders of the Jewish people. The builders were not stopped until a report could go to King Darius and his written answer could be received.

Ezra 5:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 5:5

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews
He in his providence looked favourably at them, smiled upon them, encouraged them in the work by his good Spirit, and by the prophets, and gave them success, and protected and defended them, see ( 2 Chronicles 16:9 ) ( Zechariah 3:9 ) ( 4:10 ) ,

that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to
Darius;
they were not intimidated by what the governor and those with him said to them, but went on in their work; nor did the governor attempt to interrupt them, they having referred him and their cause to Darius for the truth of what they had said, and for further information from him:

and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter;
that is, Tatnai and those with him sent a letter to Darius about this affair, to which they had an answer, which are both related in this and the following chapters.

Ezra 5:5 In-Context

3 At that time Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai, and their fellow workers went to the Jewish people and asked, "Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and fix these walls?"

4 They also asked, "What are the names of the men working on this building?"

5 But their God was watching over the older leaders of the Jewish people. The builders were not stopped until a report could go to King Darius and his written answer could be received.

6 This is a copy of the letter that was sent to King Darius by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and the other important officers of Trans-Euphrates.

7 This is what was said in the report they sent to him: To King Darius. Greetings. May you have peace.