Keraia
Ezra 4

Ezra 4:6

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

Translations

Modern
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
Traditional
And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
Literal
And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against those dwelling in Judah and Jerusalem.
Latin
In regno autem Assueri, in principio regni ejus, scripserunt accusationem adversus habitatores Judæ et Jerusalem.

Original

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

Notes

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

The Medes and Persians Xerxes I Zerubbabel

People

Ahasuerus: Persian Emperor (probably Xerxes I); husband of Esther Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Ahasuerus Archaeology and the Bible Artaxerxes Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Persia, Persians Temple Xerxes

Topics

False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jews, Returned Under Ezra Joshua: Also Called Jeshua: Assists Zerubbabel in Restoring the Temple Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Ahasuerus or Cambyses the Second Temple: The Samaritans: Wrote to Artaxerxes Smerdis to Interrupt the Building