Renewed Building Under Darius
Ezra 5
Stirred up by the prophets Aggaeus and Zacharias, Zorobabel and Jesus resume building the house of God despite questioning from the governor Thanthanai and his companions. Thanthanai sends a letter to king Darius reporting the Jews' claim that Cyrus had decreed the temple's rebuilding, and asks the king to search the royal archives to confirm it.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonWHEN Aggaius the prophet and Zacharias the son of Addo prophesied against the Jews who were in Juda and Jerusalem—in the name of the God of Israel against them;
BrentonAnd Aggæus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo, prophesied a prophecy to the Jews in Juda and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even to them.
GreekΚαὶ προεφήτευσεν Ἀγγαῖος ὁ προφήτης καὶ Ζαχαρίας ὁ τοῦ Ἀδδὼ προφητείαν ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς ἐν Ἰούδα καὶ Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐν ὀνόματι Θεοῦ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπʼ αὐτούς.
KJVThen the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
JPSNow the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the God of Israel prophesied they unto them.
2
Thomsonthen arose Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus son of Josedek, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
BrentonThen rose up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and began to build the house of God that was in Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God assisting them.
GreekΤότε ἀνέστησαν Ζοροβάβελ ὁ τοῦ Σαλαθιὴλ καὶ Ἰησοῦς υἱὸς Ἰωσεδὲκ, καὶ ἤρξαντο οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· καὶ μετʼ αὐτῶν οἱ προφῆται τοῦ Θεοῦ βοηθοῦντες αὐτοῖς.
KJVThen rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
JPSThen rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
3
ThomsonAt that time Thanthani the chief governor on this side the river, and Satharbouzani, and their fellow-servants, came to them and spoke to them in terms to this effect, Who hath ordered you to build this house, and renew this theatrical entertainment?
BrentonAt the same time came there upon them Thanthanai, the governor on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants, and spoke thus to them, Who has ordained a decree for you to build this house, and to provide this preparation?
GreekἘν αὐτῷ τῷ καιρῷ ἦλθεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς Θανθαναῒ ἔπαρχος πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ Σαθαρβουζαναῒ, καὶ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτῶν, καὶ τοιάδε εἶπαν αὐτοῖς, τίς ἔθηκεν ὑμῖν γνώμην τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον, καὶ τὴν χορηγίαν ταύτην καταρτίσασθαι;
KJVAt the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
JPSAt the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus unto them: ‘Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this structure?’
4
ThomsonAnd they said to them, What are the names of the men who are building this city?
BrentonThen they spoke thus to them, What are the names of the men that build this city?
GreekΤότε ταῦτα εἴποσαν αὐτοῖς, τίνα ἐστὶ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν οἰκοδομούντων τὴν πόλιν ταύτην;
KJVThen said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
JPS’Then spoke we unto them after this manner [, wrote they]: What are the names of the men that build this building?’
5
ThomsonNow the eyes of God were on the captivity of Juda, so that they did not cause them to stop until the matter was laid before Darius.
BrentonBut the eyes of God were upon the captivity of Juda, and they did not cause them to cease till the decree was brought to Darius; and then was sent by the tribute-gatherer concerning this
GreekΚαὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν Ἰούδα, καὶ οὐ κατήργησαν αὐτοὺς ἕως γνώμη τῷ Δαρείῳ ἀπηνέχθη· καὶ τότε ἀπεστάλη τῷ φορολόγῳ ὑπὲρ τούτου
KJVBut 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.
JPSBut 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.
6
ThomsonSo there was sent to the collector of the tribute, touching this affair, the substance of a letter, which Thanthani the chief governor on this bank of the river, and Satharbouzani, and their fellow servants the Apharsachaians who were on this bank of the river, should send to king Darius.
Brentonthe copy of a letter, which Thanthanai, the governor of the part on this side the river, and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachæans who were on this side of the river, sent to king Darius.
Greekδιασάφησις ἐπιστολῆς, ἧς ἀπέστειλε Θανθαναῒ, ὁ ἔπαρχος τοῦ πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ Σαθαρβουζαναῒ καὶ οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτῶν Ἀφαρσαχαῖοι οἱ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, Δαρείῳ τῷ βασιλεῖ·
KJVThe copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
JPSThe copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharesachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
7
ThomsonThey sent to him a verbal message, and by him the following letter was written:
BrentonThey sent an account to him, and thus it was written in it: All peace to king Darius.
GreekῬήμασιν ἀπέστειλαν πρὸς αὐτόν· καὶ τάδε γέγραπται ἐν αὐτῷ·
KJVThey sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
JPSthey sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: ‘Unto Darius the king, all peace.
8
ThomsonTo Darius the king, all peace. Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with choice stones. Timbers are actually laid in the walls, and the work is going on fast and prospereth in their hands;
BrentonBe it known to the king, that we went into the land of Judea, to the house of the great God; and it is building with choice stones, and they are laying timbers in the walls, and that work is prospering, and goes on favourably in their hands.
GreekΔαρείῳ τῷ βασιλεῖ εἰρήνη πᾶσα. Γνωστὸν ἔστω τῷ βασιλεῖ, ὅτι ἐπορεύθημεν εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν χώραν εἰς οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου, καὶ αὐτὸς οἰκοδομεῖται λίθοις ἐκλεκτοῖς, καὶ ξύλα ἐντίθεται ἐν τοῖς τοίχοις, καὶ τὸ ἔργον ἐκεῖνο ἐπιδέξιον γίνεται, καὶ εὐοδοῦται ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν.
KJVBe it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
JPSBe 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.
9
ThomsonWe then questioned the elders and said to them, Who hath given you orders to build this house, and renew this theatrical entertainment?
BrentonThen we asked those elders, and thus we said to them, Who gave you the order to build this house, and to provide this preparation?
GreekΤότε ἠρωτήσαμεν τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους ἐκείνους, καὶ οὕτως εἴπαμεν αὐτοῖς, τίς ἔθηκεν ὑμῖν γνώμην τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον οἰκοδομῆσαι, καὶ τὴν χορηγίαν ταύτην καταρτίσασθαι;
KJVThen asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
JPSThen asked we those elders, and said unto them thus: Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
10
ThomsonWe then asked their names that we might acquaint thee, that we might transmit to thee in writing the names of their principal men.
BrentonAnd we asked them their names, in order to declare them to thee, so as to write to thee the names of their leading men.
GreekΚαὶ τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν ἠρωτήσαμεν αὐτοὺς γνωρίσαι σοι, ὥστε γράψαι σοι τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν ἀνδρῶν τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν.
KJVWe asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
JPSWe asked them their names also, to announce to thee, that we might write the names of the men that were at the head of them.
11
ThomsonThereupon they answered us to this effect saying, We are the servants of the God of the heaven and the earth, and we are rebuilding His house which was built many years ago. A great king of Israel actually built it and fitted it up for them;
BrentonAnd they answered us thus, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building the house which had been built many years before this, and a great king of Israel built it, and established it for them.
GreekΚαὶ τοιοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ἀπεκρίθησαν ἡμῖν, λέγοντες, ἡμεῖς ἐσμὲν δοῦλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἰκοδομοῦμεν τὸν οἶκον ὃς ἦν ᾠκοδομημένος πρὸ τούτου ἔτη πολλὰ, καὶ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ μέγας ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτὸν, καὶ κατηρτίσατο αὐτὸν αὐτοῖς.
KJVAnd thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
JPSAnd thus they returned us answer, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and finished.
12
Thomsonbut when our fathers provoked to wrath the God of heaven, he delivered them into the hands of Nabuchodonosar king of Babylon the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and removed the people to Babylon.
BrentonBut after that our fathers provoked the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the Chaldean, king of Babylon, and he destroyed this house, and carried the people captive to Babylon.
GreekἈφότε δὲ παρώργισαν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν τὸν Θεὸν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ἔδωκεν αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας Ναβουχοδονόσορ βασιλέως Βαβυλῶνος τοῦ Χαλδαίου, καὶ τὸν οἴκον τοῦτον κατέλυσε, καὶ τὸν λαὸν ἀπῴκισεν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα.
KJVBut after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
JPSBut because that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
13
ThomsonBut in the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt:
BrentonAnd in the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be built.
GreekΑλλʼ ἐν ἔτει πρώτῳ Κύρου τοῦ βασιλέως, Κύρος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔθετο γνώμην τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦτον οἰκοδομηθῆναι·
KJVBut in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
JPSBut in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
14
Thomsonand the vessels of gold and silver belonging to this house of God which Nabuchodonosar had taken from this house in Jerusalem and put in the king’s temple, these Cyrus the king caused to be brought out of the king’s temple and gave them to Sabanasar the treasurer who was over the treasure,
BrentonAnd the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor brought out from the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried them into the temple of the king, them did king Cyrus bring out from the temple of the king, and gave them to Sabanasar the treasurer, who was over the treasure;
GreekΚαὶ τὰ σκεύη τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ τὰ χρυσᾶ καὶ τὰ ἀργυρᾶ, ἃ Ναβουχοδονόσορ ἐξήνεγκεν ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἀπήνεγκεν αὐτὰ εἰς τὸν ναὸν του βασιλέως, ἐξήνεγκεν αὐτὰ Κύρος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ναοῦ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἔδωκε τῷ Σαβανασὰρ τῷ θησαυροφύλακι, τῷ ἐπὶ τοῦ θησαυροῦ,
KJVAnd the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
JPSAnd the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
15
Thomsonand said to him, Take all these vessels and go and deposit them in the house at Jerusalem, in their places.
Brentonand said to him, Take all the vessels, and go, put them in the house that is in Jerusalem in their place.
Greekκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, πάντα τὰ σκεύη λάβε καὶ πορεύου, θὲς αὐτὰ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τῷ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
JPSand he said unto him: Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in its place.
16
ThomsonAt that time Sabanasar himself came and laid the foundation of this house of God at Jerusalem; and from that time till now it hath been a building, and is not yet finished.
BrentonThen that Sabanazar came, and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem: and from that time even until now it has been building, and has not been finished.
GreekΤότε Σαβανασὰρ ἐκεῖνος ἦλθε καὶ ἔδωκε θεμελίους τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἀπὸ τότε ἕως τοῦ νῦν ᾠκοδομήθη, καὶ οὐκ ἐτελέσθη.
KJVThen came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
JPSThen came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not completed.
17
ThomsonNow therefore if it seemeth good to the king, let search be made in the treasury of the king of Babylon, that thou mayst know whether a decree hath been made by Cyrus the king, to rebuild this house of God at Jerusalem: and let the king, when informed touching this matter, send to us.
BrentonAnd now, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the treasure-house of the king at Babylon, that thou mayest know if it be that a decree was made by king Cyrus to build that house of God that was in Jerusalem, and let the king send to us when he has learnt concerning this matter.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν εἰ ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα ἀγαθὸν ἐπισκεπήτω ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τῆς γάζης τοῦ βασιλέως Βαβυλῶνος, ὅπως γνῷς ὅτι ἀπὸ βασιλέως Κύρου ἐτέθη γνώμη οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐκεῖνον τὸν ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· καὶ γνοὺς ὁ βασιλεὺς περὶ τούτου, πεμψάτω πρὸς ἡμᾶς.
KJVNow therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
JPSNow therefore, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the king’s treasure-house there, which is at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.’