Ezra 5:11

11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the avadim of the Elohei Shomayim vAretz, and build the Beis that was built these many years ago, which a great Melech Yisroel built and set up.

Ezra 5:11 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 5:11

And thus they returned us answer
To the purpose and in the manner following:

saying, we are the servants of the God of heaven and earth;
signifying that they were doing his work, in obedience to his will, and to whom they were accountable:

and build the house that was builded these many years ago;
even five hundred years ago, or thereabout; so that they were not erecting a building where there was none before, but were rebuilding what was in ruins:

which a great king of Israel builded and set up;
King Solomon, who was a great king for wisdom, honour, riches, peace, prosperity, and extent of his kingdom.

Ezra 5:11 In-Context

9 Then asked we those leaders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this Beis [Hamikdash], and to restore this structure?

10 We asked their shmot also, to inform thee, that we might write down the shmot of the men that were their heads for thy information.

11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the avadim of the Elohei Shomayim vAretz, and build the Beis that was built these many years ago, which a great Melech Yisroel built and set up.

12 But because Avoteinu had provoked the Elohei Shomayim unto them into the hand of Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel, the Kasdai (Chaldean), who destroyed this Beis, and carried the people away into the Golus of Bavel (Babylon).

13 But in the first year of Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Bavel the same Melech Koresh made a decree to build this Beis Elohim.