Keraia
Ezra 4

Ezra 4:9

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

Translations

Modern
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,
Traditional
Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
Literal
Then Rehum the owner of the command, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, Dinaites, and Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites who are Elamite,
Latin
Reum Beelteem, et Samsai scriba, et reliqui consiliatores eorum, Dinæi, et Apharsathachæi, Terphalæi, Apharsæi, Erchuæi, Babylonii, Susanechæi, Dievi, et Ælamitæ,

Original

Hebrew
English
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,

Notes

Ezra 4:9

  • Including greetings from important political figures and local ethnic leaders would strengthen the letter's accusations and give it more political impact.

  • Judges were trusted court officials familiar with Persian laws.

  • Support from people in the Mesopotamian cities of Babylon and Erech, as well as the Persian city of Susa, would make the case against the Jews more convincing.

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

People

Apharasthchite: Apharsathchites: A group opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple Dehavites: People group who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem Dinaites: People group who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem Rehum: A Persian official who wrote to King Artaxerxes Shimshai: Scribe who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem Tarpelite: A group of officials in the Persian Empire

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel Elam: Ancient kingdom east of Babylon; ally and enemy of Israel Erech: Ancient Mesopotamian city; part of Nimrod's kingdom Persia: An empire that ruled over the exiled Jews Susa: Capital city of the Persian Empire

Glossary

Apharsachites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites Aramaic Archevites Artaxerxes Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius Dehavites Dinaites Erech First Book of Esdras Postexilic Period Rehum Samaritans Shimshai Susanchite Tarpel, Tarpelites Temple

Topics

Apharsathchites: General Scriptures Concerning Apharsites: General Scriptures Concerning Archevites: Inhabitants of Samaria Artaxerxes: A Persian King Probably Identical with Ahasuerus: Prohibits the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Ava: See Babylon: Empire of Colonists From, Sent to Samaria Bishlam: A Samaritan Who Obstructed the Rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem Chancellor: A State officer Colonization of Conquered Countries and People Dehavites: General Scriptures Concerning False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jews, Returned Under Ezra Government: Provincial Modern Samaria: Inhabitants of Their True Descent Persia: Artaxerxes I Rehum: A Chancellor Who Wrote a Letter to Artaxerxes, Influencing Him Against the Jews Samaria: Country of: Foreign Colonies Distributed Among the Cities of, by the King of Assyria Shimshai: A Scribe Slander: Enemies of the Jews Susanchites: The Inhabitants of Samaria Tarpelites: Colonists in Samaria the Second Temple: The Samaritans: Wrote to Artaxerxes Smerdis to Interrupt the Building