Ezra 5:16
Context5:16 Then this Sheshbazzar went and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem. From that time to the present moment 1 it has been in the process of being rebuilt, although it is not yet finished.’
Ezra 4:12
Context4:12 Now 2 let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. 3 They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations.
Ezra 5:3
Context5:3 At that time Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar-Bozenai, and their colleagues came to them and asked, “Who gave you authority 4 to rebuild this temple and to complete this structure?” 5


[5:16] 1 tn Aram “from then and until now.”
[4:12] 2 tn The MT takes this word with the latter part of v. 11, but in English style it fits better with v. 12.
[4:12] 3 sn Management of the provinces that were distantly removed from the capital was difficult, and insurrection in such places was a perennial problem. The language used in this report about Jerusalem (i.e., “rebellious,” “odious”) is intentionally inflammatory. It is calculated to draw immediate attention to the perceived problem.
[5:3] 3 tn Aram “who placed to you a command?” So also v. 9.
[5:3] 4 tn The exact meaning of the Aramaic word אֻשַּׁרְנָא (’ussarna’) here and in v. 9 is uncertain (BDB 1083 s.v.). The LXX and Vulgate understand it to mean “wall.” Here it is used in collocation with בַּיְתָא (bayta’, “house” as the temple of God), while in 5:3, 9 it is used in parallelism with this term. It might be related to the Assyrian noun ashurru (“wall”) or ashru (“sanctuary”; so BDB). F. Rosenthal, who translates the word “furnishings,” thinks that it probably enters Aramaic from Persian (Grammar, 62-63, §189).