Keraia
Ezra 4

Ezra 4:16

Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes · Ezra 4:6–16
Read Ezra 4

Translations

Modern
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
Traditional
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
Literal
We are making known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, upon this, dominion beyond the River is not unto you.
Latin
Nuntiamus nos regi, quoniam si civitas illa ædificata fuerit, et muri ipsius instaurati, possessionem trans fluvium non habebis.

Original

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

Notes

Ezra 4:15–16

  • The Persians had access to Babylonian records, which described Jerusalem’s revolts against Nebuchadnezzar (see 2 Kings 24:1–7).

  • The claim that the Persians would lose the entire province west of the Euphrates was an exaggeration. The Jews were actually a small minority in that province.

Ezra 4:11–22

Ezra contains a copy in Aramaic of the letter sent to Artaxerxes and his response.

Ezra 4:6–23

These verses discuss later opposition to Jewish rebuilding efforts. They actually relate to events during the reign of:

  • Xerxes in 486 to 465 BC

  • Artaxerxes I in 465 to 424 BC

However, they are included here because they match the theme of opposition. Chronologically, Ezra 4:6 fits between chapters 6 and 7, while 4:7–23 fits before Nehemiah 1.

Theme notes and profiles

Zerubbabel

Places

Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Aramaic Archevites Artaxerxes Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Postexilic Period Rehum Samaritans Temple

Topics

Artaxerxes: A Persian King Probably Identical with Ahasuerus: Prohibits the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Bishlam: A Samaritan Who Obstructed the Rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jews, Returned Under Ezra Persia: Artaxerxes I Slander: Enemies of the Jews the Second Temple: The Samaritans: Wrote to Artaxerxes Smerdis to Interrupt the Building