Ezra 5:9

Authorized King James Version

Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֱדַ֗יִן
Then
then (of time)
#2
שְׁאֵ֙לְנָא֙
asked
to ask
#3
לְשָֽׂבַיָּ֣א
elders
properly, to become aged, i.e., (by implication) to grow gray
#4
אִלֵּ֔ךְ
we those
these
#5
כְּנֵ֖מָא
unto them thus
so or thus
#6
אֲמַ֣רְנָא
and said
to speak, to command
#7
לְּהֹ֑ם
H0
#8
מַן
Who
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
#9
שָׂ֨ם
commanded
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
לְכֹ֜ם
H0
#11
טְעֵ֗ם
properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)
#12
בַּיְתָ֤א
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
דְנָ֖ה
these
this
#14
לְמִבְנְיָ֔ה
you to build
to build
#15
וְאֻשַּׁרְנָ֥א
walls
a wall (from its uprightness)
#16
דְנָ֖ה
these
this
#17
לְשַׁכְלָלָֽה׃
and to make up
to complete

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection