Ezra 4

Ezra 4:1

When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel,

Ezra 4:1 · BSB

Ezra 4:2

they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, "Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here."

Ezra 4:2 · BSB

Ezra 4:3

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, "You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us."

Ezra 4:3 · BSB

Ezra 4:4

Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.

Ezra 4:4 · BSB

Ezra 4:5

They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 4:5 · BSB

Ezra 4:6

At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

Ezra 4:6 · BSB

am 3475 , bc 529

Ahasuerus Heb. Ahashverosh , This was Cambyses , son of Cyrus , who succeeded his father , am 3475 , and reigned seven years and five months.

Ezra 4:7

And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated.

Ezra 4:7 · BSB

am 3482 , bc 522

Artaxerxes This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi , who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses , for seven months , feigning himself to be Smerdis , brother of Cambyses . he is called Oropoestus by Justin , Smerdis by Herodotus , Mardus by AEschylus , and Sphendatates by Ctesias.

Bishlam or , in peace

Ezra 4:8

Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

Ezra 4:8 · BSB

Ezra 4:9

From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,

Ezra 4:9 · BSB

companions Chal , societies

Ezra 4:10

and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates.

Ezra 4:10 · BSB

Ezra 4:11

(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:

Ezra 4:11 · BSB

Ezra 4:12

Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.

Ezra 4:12 · BSB

joined Chal , sewed together

Ezra 4:13

Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

Ezra 4:13 · BSB

pay Chal , give

revenue or , strength

Ezra 4:14

Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king

Ezra 4:14 · BSB

have maintenance etc. Chal , are salted with the salt of the palace , Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life . Ecclesiastes 39 . 26 , or #### Verse 31 hence , by a very natural figure , salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed , says Mr. Parkhurst , that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies , "I eat such a one's salt ," meaning , I am fed by him. Salt was also , as it still is , among eastern nations , a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence , to eat a man's salt , is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.

Ezra 4:15

that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

Ezra 4:15 · BSB

made within the same , Chal , in the midst thereof

moved Chal

Ezra 4:16

We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

Ezra 4:16 · BSB

Ezra 4:17

Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings.

Ezra 4:17 · BSB

Ezra 4:19

I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

Ezra 4:19 · BSB

I commanded Chal , by me a decree is set

made insurrection Chal , lifted up itself

Ezra 4:20

And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.

Ezra 4:20 · BSB

Ezra 4:21

Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

Ezra 4:21 · BSB

Ezra 4:22

See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?

Ezra 4:22 · BSB

Ezra 4:23

When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.

Ezra 4:23 · BSB

force Chal , arm

Ezra 4:24

Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 4:24 · BSB