What Does Ezra 5:4 Mean in the King James?

Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?

Ezra 5:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Aramaic word for “men” belongs to the root of strength and prevailing, so the question turns attention to the force and identity behind the building.

THE MEANING

The question brings the builders into view along with the structure they raise. Their names disclose who is investing their strength in the work.

THE ROOT

גֻּבְרַיָּא

gubrayyā

GROWS FROM

גבר

To be strong, grow mighty, or prevail.

The verse’s Aramaic ⁨גֻּבְרַיָּא⁩ (gubrayyā, “men”) comes from ⁨גבר⁩, the root of strength and prevailing. English “men” leaves that connection quiet; here, the people behind the building are named through a word that carries the force they bring to it.

ALSO GROWS

gābar: To be strong; to prevail.

גָּבַר

This verb makes explicit the strength carried in the word for “men.”

gibbôr: Mighty one; strong person.

גִּבּוֹר

This noun shares the root’s consonants and echoes the strength-family behind the builders’ designation.

gevurah: Strength; might.

גְּבוּרָה

This word names the quality associated with the root, making the builders’ agency more visible.

THE PATTERN

Scripture ties building to the identities and labor of the people named as its makers.

See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:

Exodus 31:2 · KJVThe builder is called by name before the work entrusted to him is described.

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

Nehemiah 3:1 · KJVNamed people and their labor stand together in the account of what is built.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

1 Corinthians 3:10 · KJVThe building is linked to the people who build, and to the care they bring to their work.

THE THREAD

And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

Genesis 10:8 · KJV

Genesis uses ⁨גִּבּוֹר⁩ (gibbôr, “mighty one”), from the same ⁨גבר⁩ root family as Ezra’s Aramaic ⁨גֻּבְרַיָּא⁩ (gubrayyā, “men”). The shared root lets the word for the builders carry an undertone of strength and agency as the question asks who they are.

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