Ezra 4:3

Translations

Modern

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.”

Traditional

But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

Literal

And Zerubbabel said to them, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of the fathers of Israel, “Nothing is to you and to us to build a house for our God, but we alone will build to YHWH, God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

Latin

Et dixit eis Zorobabel, et Josue, et reliqui principes patrum Israël: Non est vobis et nobis ut ædificemus domum Deo nostro, sed nos ipsi soli ædificabimus Domino Deo nostro, sicut præcepit nobis Cyrus rex Persarum.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.”

Notes

Ezra 4:3

The main political, religious, and tribal leaders united against the foreigners' proposal. They believed it would introduce idolatrous beliefs. The Jews wanted to avoid repeating their ancestors' mistake of worshiping Canaanite false gods, which led to exile.
as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us: See Ezra 1:2–4.

Ezra 3:1–4:5

After resettling in various towns in Judah, the community focused on restoring the worship of God in Jerusalem. They quickly rebuilt the altar and began regular sacrifices in time to celebrate the Jewish festivals (Ezra 3:4). Then, they started the more challenging task of rebuilding the temple itself (Ezra 3:8). Soon, they faced opposition from local foreigners (Ezra 4:1–5).

Theme notes and profiles

Cyrus II Samaritans Zerubbabel Purity and Identity

Related verses

Nehemiah 2:20
So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Acts 8:21
You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
2 Chronicles 36:22–Ezra 1:3
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:
John 4:22–23
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Romans 9:4–5
…the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.
Ezra 6:3–5
In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide,
Isaiah 44:28–45:1
…who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”
Isaiah 45:4
For the sake of Jacob My servant and Israel My chosen one, I call you by name; I have given you a title of honor, though you have not known Me.
3 John 1:9–10
I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

People

Cyrus: Persian Emperor who decreed the rebuilding of the Temple Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: High priest during the rebuilding of the temple Zerubbabel: Leader of the first Jewish exiles from Babylon

Places

Persia: An empire that ruled over the exiled Jews

Glossary

Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Jeshua (Person) Samaria Temple

Topics

Cyrus: Issues a Decree for the Emancipation of the Jews and Rebuilding the Temple Jeshua: Also Called Joshua: Contends with Those Who Sought to Defeat the Rebuilding of the Temple Joshua: Also Called Jeshua: Assists Zerubbabel in Restoring the Temple Persia: Cyrus the Second Temple: The Samaritans: Their Help Refused by the Jews Zerubbabel: Directs the Rebuilding of the Altar and Temple After his Return from Captivity in Babylon

Ezra 4:3

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