So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
We have here, I. The cognizance which their neighbours soon took of the reviving of this good work. A jealous eye, it seems, they had upon them, and no sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the friends of the temple to appear for it than the evil spirit stirred up its enemies to appear against it.
Commenting on Ezra 5:3-17
Then asked we those elders,.... The elders of the province of Judea; the chief men of it: who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? see Ezr 5:3.
Ezr 5:9-10 Hereupon the royal officials asked the elders of the Jews who had commanded them to build, and inquired concerning their names, that they might write to the king the names of the leading men (see the remark on 3 and 41). בראשׁהם דּי does not mean, who are at the head of them: but, who act in the capacity of heads.
Commenting on Ezra 5:9-10