An official report sent to the Persian king by regional government officials provides a detailed account of an inspection tour through the province of Judah. The officials convey their direct impressions of the rapid construction of the Temple, carefully framing their observations to update the empire on the nature and pace of the project.
In their correspondence, the officials announce their visit to the autonomous province, specifically noting their arrival at the house of the "Great God." Lacking knowledge of God's actual name, the foreign officials simply adopted the respectful title they heard the local Jews using [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The report details the specific building methods being employed. The primary approach among commentators is that the walls were constructed using marble. However, another perspective suggests that the builders used stones so massive and heavy that they had to be physically rolled from one location to another [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Alongside the stonework, wooden beams were integrated directly into the walls. The primary approach among commentators is that strong, rot-resistant cedar wood was used to reinforce and stabilize the structure, ensuring it would stand for generations. Alternatively, the inclusion of wood may have been a practical technique to ease and accelerate the complex process of building with such giant stones [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond practical construction methods, this specific detail may carry a hidden political agenda. By explicitly reporting the use of wood—a highly flammable material—the officials intended to advocate for the Jews and reassure the king. It serves as proof that the structure is merely a house of worship and not a fortified military stronghold designed for a rebellion [מלבי״ם].
The officials conclude by emphasizing the remarkable pace and success of the labor. The construction is observed to be moving with exceptional speed, agility, and perfect precision [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The swiftness of the workers is so extraordinary that tasks are completed almost before a command can be fully spoken [רס״ג]. This swift and uninterrupted progress also carries a reassuring political message. The fact that the building is proceeding smoothly, without any interference or alarm from neighboring nations, serves as further evidence that the project poses no threat of uprising against the empire [מלבי״ם].