Bible Strands
Ezra 5:17
Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A Persian official writes to the king during the ongoing but unfinished reconstruction of Jerusalem’s temple, requesting verification of a past royal decree.
The words — The Aramaic verb יִתְבַּקַּר (yitbakkar) translates literally to “let it be searched,” paired with בֵּית גִּנְזֵי (beit ginzei), meaning “house of treasures.”
The thread — This request to verify royal records echoes earlier administrative inquiries in Ezra 4:15 and Ezra 4:19, and directly precedes King Darius’s own search of the Babylonian treasuries in Ezra 6:1.
Why it lands — The text demands concrete historical verification before proceeding, requiring the reader to recognize that religious restoration depends on documented authority rather than presumption.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now 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.
Cross-references
- Ezra 4:15 that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
- Ezra 4:19 I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.
- Ezra 6:1 Thus King Darius ordered a search of the archives stored in the treasury of Babylon.
- Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.