Ezra 5:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sheshbazzar laid the foundation, and the elders report the work has continued ever since, though it is not yet finished.
What Does Ezra 5:16 Mean?
The builders close their account: Sheshbazzar laid the foundation, and the work has gone forward, with interruptions, ever since. They candidly admit it is "not finished," but the project is lawful and ongoing, awaiting completion.
An unfinished work is not a failed work. God's purposes often advance through long, patient seasons with the end still out of sight. The same faithfulness that laid the foundation will, in His time, complete the house. We are called to keep building what He began, trusting Him for the finishing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 5:16
What does Ezra 5:16 mean?
Sheshbazzar laid the foundation, and the elders report the work has continued ever since, though it is not yet finished.