Ezra 5:9

9 We asked the elders some questions. We said to them, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple? Who told you that you could make this building like new again?"

Ezra 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 5:9

Then asked we those elders
The elders of the province of Judea; the chief men of it:

who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
see ( Ezra 5:3 ) .

Ezra 5:9 In-Context

7 The report they sent to the king said, We are sending this letter to you, King Darius. We give you our most friendly greetings.

8 We want you to know that we went to the land of Judah. We went to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones. They are putting wooden beams in the walls. The people are working hard. The work is moving ahead very quickly under the direction of the people.

9 We asked the elders some questions. We said to them, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple? Who told you that you could make this building like new again?"

10 We also asked them their names. We wanted to write down the names of their leaders for your information.

11 Here is the answer they gave us. They said, "We serve the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago. The great King Solomon built it and finished it.