Ezra / Question
Tattenai and the officials asked, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” They also asked for the names of the men making the building. See Ezra 5:3 and Ezra 5:4.
In Ezra 5:3–5, regional Persian officials arrive while the Jews are rebuilding and demand to know who authorized the project and its completion. The builders respond by giving the names of those responsible. Despite the officials’ challenge, the work is not halted immediately, because the narrative says God’s watchful care remained on the Jewish elders. This scene continues the restart of temple work described just before, where prophetic encouragement leads the community to resume building and to do so openly (see Ezra 5:1–2).
Ezra 5:3–5 presents a public moment of accountability. Persian regional officials arrive while the building is underway and ask a focused question: who authorized this work (explicit in verse 3). The builders answer in a way that identifies responsibility by naming the people overseeing the project (explicit in verse 4).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Ezra 5:3, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
3At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?