Ezra 5:5

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].

But the eye {H5870} of their God {H426} was {H1934} upon {H5922} the elders {H7868} of the Jews {H3062}, that they could not {H3809} cause {H989} them {H1994} to cease {H989}, till {H5705} the matter {H2941} came {H1946} to Darius {H1868}: and then {H116} they returned answer {H8421} by letter {H5407} concerning {H5922} this {H1836} matter.

But the eye of their God was on the leaders of the Judeans, so they didn't stop them until the matter could come before Daryavesh and a reply in writing be received.

But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, so that they were not stopped until a report was sent to Darius and written instructions about this matter were returned.

But 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.

Commentary

Context of Ezra 5:5

Ezra 5:5 is situated during the critical period of the post-exilic return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, specifically concerning the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After an initial burst of enthusiasm under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the work had stalled for many years due to significant opposition from local adversaries (as detailed in Ezra 4). However, spurred by the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish elders, including Zerubbabel and Jeshua, resumed the work. This verse highlights the divine protection they received when confronted by Tatnai, the governor "on this side the river" (the region west of the Euphrates), and Shethar-boznai, who questioned their authority and demanded to know who authorized the rebuilding of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Oversight: The central message of Ezra 5:5 is that "the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews." This signifies God's active, watchful, and protective presence over His people and His work. It assures that even amidst significant human opposition and bureaucratic challenges, God's plan for the Temple's rebuilding could not be thwarted. His watchful eye guaranteed their safety and the continuation of the construction. This theme echoes God's constant care for His people throughout history, as seen in Psalm 33:18.
  • God's Protection Amidst Opposition: The adversaries "could not cause them to cease." Despite their attempts to intimidate and halt the work, they were divinely restrained. This illustrates God's sovereign power to protect His servants and their endeavors, even when they are outnumbered or seemingly vulnerable.
  • Perseverance in Faith: The elders continued the Temple work, trusting in God's oversight. Their persistence in the face of questioning and potential legal trouble demonstrates a profound faith and determination to complete the task God had called them to.
  • Submission to Authority (with Divine Guidance): The verse mentions that the matter "came to Darius," indicating that the Jews and their adversaries followed the proper legal channels of the Persian Empire. God's providence worked not by bypassing human authority but by guiding the outcome through it, ensuring that the King's decree would ultimately favor the rebuilding efforts, as would be revealed in Ezra 6:1-12.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the eye of their God was upon" conveys more than mere observation; it implies active care, protection, and favor. In ancient Hebrew thought, God's "eye" often symbolizes His omnipresent knowledge, His benevolent gaze, and His providential involvement in the affairs of humanity. It speaks to God's continuous engagement and safeguarding of His covenant people. This is a powerful expression of divine attentiveness and intervention, ensuring that His purposes prevail.

Practical Application

Ezra 5:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When facing opposition in our service to God, in our personal lives, or in collective endeavors for His kingdom, this verse reminds us that "the eye of our God is upon us." We can trust in His constant watchfulness and protective hand. It encourages us to persevere in our God-given tasks, knowing that He is sovereign over all circumstances, including those that seem to threaten our progress. Just as He restrained the adversaries of the Jews, He can also work through or overcome challenges we face, ensuring that His ultimate will is accomplished. This verse calls us to faith, diligence, and reliance on divine providence in all our undertakings.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 33:18

    Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

  • Ezra 7:28

    And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God [was] upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

  • Ezra 7:6

    This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he [was] a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

  • Psalms 34:15

    The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

  • 1 Peter 3:12

    For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

  • Psalms 32:8

    I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

  • Ezra 8:22

    For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God [is] upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath [is] against all them that forsake him.
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