Ezra 5:4
Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
Original Language Analysis
מַן
What
H4479
מַן
What
Strong's:
H4479
Word #:
5 of 12
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
שְׁמָהָ֣ת
the names
H8036
שְׁמָהָ֣ת
the names
Strong's:
H8036
Word #:
7 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Historical Context
Persian administrative practice demanded detailed records of building projects, including supervisor names, authorization documents, and funding sources. The Elephantine papyri and Persepolis administrative tablets confirm this meticulous record-keeping culture. Provincial governors were accountable to the satrap and ultimately the king for construction activities within their jurisdiction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use bureaucratic processes and official inquiries to accomplish His purposes in ways we might not initially recognize?
- When facing opposition or scrutiny, how can believers maintain confidence that God is orchestrating circumstances for His glory?
Analysis & Commentary
The question "What are the names of the men that make this building?" reflects standard Persian administrative procedure. Officials required identification of project leaders for accountability purposes. The Aramaic text uses shemahath (names) emphasizing that the Persian authorities sought to document individual responsibility. Notably, this question assumes the Jews had proper authorization—the officials were merely gathering information for their report, not immediately halting construction.
The request for names served multiple purposes: legal documentation, establishing chains of command, and potential prosecution if the project proved unauthorized. Yet God sovereignly used this bureaucratic inquiry to trigger the archival search that would ultimately vindicate the Jews. Human investigation intended to challenge God's work instead confirmed His purposes.