Ezra 5:16
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
יְהַ֧ב
and laid
H3052
יְהַ֧ב
and laid
Strong's:
H3052
Word #:
5 of 18
to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
דִּי
H1768
דִּי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
7 of 18
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בֵ֥ית
of the house
H1005
בֵ֥ית
of the house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
8 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
10 of 18
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
וּמִן
and since
H4481
וּמִן
and since
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
Cross References
Ezra 3:10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.Ezra 6:15And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.Ezra 3:8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Historical Context
The foundation laying (536 BC) preceded the completion (516 BC) by twenty years, though active construction occurred in shorter periods. Samaritan opposition, economic hardship, and community discouragement contributed to delays. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah addressed these problems in 520 BC, rebuking the people for building their own houses while God's house lay unfinished (Haggai 1:2-4). The 520 BC resumption triggered Tatnai's investigation.
Questions for Reflection
- What lessons can we learn from the 16-year delay between laying the foundation and resuming construction?
- How does prophetic encouragement (through Haggai and Zechariah) demonstrate the church's ongoing need for biblical preaching to sustain kingdom work?
Analysis & Commentary
Sheshbazzar "laid the foundation" (yahab ushsaya) upon returning to Jerusalem, fulfilling Cyrus's commission. This initial foundation work occurred around 536 BC. The statement "since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished" summarized approximately 16 years of interrupted progress.
The admission that the temple remained incomplete after years of work implicitly explained why officials might question the project's legitimacy. Construction had halted during opposition from local adversaries (Ezra 4:4-5, 24), only resuming when Haggai and Zechariah prophesied (Ezra 5:1-2). Yet the elders' response emphasized continuous authorization, not continuous construction—the decree remained valid regardless of work interruptions.