Ezra 5:10

10 We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at the head of them.

Ezra 5:10 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 5:10

We asked their names also
The names of the elders, those that set men about this work:

to certify that we might write the names of the men that were the chief
of them;
take the names of them in writing, that they might with certainty acquaint the king who they were, and that if it was necessary they might be called to an account for what they were doing.

Ezra 5:10 In-Context

8 Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Yehudah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.

9 Then asked we those Zakenim, and said to them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?

10 We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at the head of them.

11 Thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and eretz, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Yisra'el built and finished.

12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nevukhadnetztzar king of Bavel, the Kasdai, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Bavel.