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Ezra 5:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ezra 5:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
Ezra 5:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezra 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
6The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
7they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls; and this work goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their hands.
9Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
10We asked them their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished.
← Ezra 5:7Ezra 5:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Be it known unto the king, etc.] This seems to have been the usual form of beginning a letter to a king in those days, (<150412>Ezra 4:12) that we went into the province of Judea; which from a kingdom was reduced to a province, and was become a part of the Babylonian, now Persian, monarchy, (see <150201>Ezra 2:1) to the house of the great God; as the Jews called the Lord their God; and even the Heathens had a notion that there was one supreme God, though they worshipped inferior ones; and some had a notion that Jehovah the God of the Jews was he: which is builded with great stones; marble stones; as Jarchi f51, stones of rolling, as it may be rendered; which, according to Aben Ezra, were so…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones--literally, "stones of rolling"; that is, stones of such extraordinary size that they could not be carried--they had to be rolled or dragged along the ground.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Great stones - literally, as in the margin; i. e., stones so large that they were rolled along, not carried. Others translate “polished stones.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Great God - And indeed, thus far the greater part of the Samaritans agreed with them. Ezra 5:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:8 the great God: This title was a Persian way of referring to an important high deity; it does not indicate that the provincial authorities believed in Israel’s God. • Following the pattern of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6:36), after every three rows of prepared stones, a layer of timber was laid in its walls (see Ezra 6:4) to reduce potential damage from earthquakes.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the province: Ezr 2:1; Neh 7:6, Neh 11:3; Est 1:1, Est 1:22 the great God: Ezr 1:2, Ezr 1:3, Ezr 6:10, Ezr 7:23; Deu 10:17, Deu 32:31; Psa 145:3; Dan 2:47, Dan 3:26; Dan 4:2, Dan 4:34-37, Dan 6:26 great stones: Chal, stones of rolling, Mar 13:1, Mar 13:2 Ezra 5:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification