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. As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’ letter was readThe phrase highlights the immediacy and authority of the king's decree. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's letter carried immense power, often seen as an extension of the king himself. The Persian Empire, under King Artaxerxes, was vast and influential, and his decrees were expected to be obeyed without delay. The Hebrew root for "read" (קרא, qara) implies a public proclamation, emphasizing the official and binding nature of the communication. to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates
Rehum and Shimshai are identified as local officials, likely appointed by the Persian administration to oversee the region. The mention of "the scribe" indicates a position of literacy and authority, as scribes were responsible for recording and interpreting official documents. Their "associates" suggests a network of officials working together to enforce the king's orders. This reflects the bureaucratic structure of the Persian Empire, which relied on local leaders to maintain control over its vast territories. they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem
The urgency in their actions underscores the tension between the local authorities and the Jewish community. The phrase "went immediately" suggests a sense of duty and perhaps eagerness to enforce the king's command. Historically, the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple were met with resistance from surrounding peoples who felt threatened by the re-establishment of a Jewish presence in the region. and forcibly stopped them
This phrase indicates the use of power and possibly violence to halt the rebuilding efforts. The Hebrew root for "forcibly stopped" (בעל, ba'al) can imply a forceful intervention. This action reflects the broader theme of opposition faced by the Jewish people throughout their history, as they sought to fulfill God's promises and rebuild their community. Theologically, this opposition can be seen as a test of faith and perseverance, reminding believers of the spiritual battles that accompany the pursuit of God's purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who issued the decree to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His authority was significant in the Persian Empire, and his decisions impacted the Jewish community's efforts to restore their city. 2. RehumThe commanding officer who, along with others, opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jews. He played a key role in enforcing the king's decree. 3. Shimshai the ScribeAn official who assisted Rehum in communicating and implementing the king's orders. His role was crucial in the administrative process of halting the construction. 4. The Jews in JerusalemThe community striving to rebuild the temple and the city. Their efforts were met with opposition, reflecting the broader theme of perseverance amidst adversity. 5. JerusalemThe central place of worship and identity for the Jewish people. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was not just a physical task but a spiritual and cultural restoration. Teaching Points Understanding OppositionRecognize that opposition is a common experience for those seeking to fulfill God's purposes. Just as the Jews faced resistance, believers today may encounter challenges when pursuing God's will. The Role of AuthorityConsider how earthly authorities can impact spiritual endeavors. While respecting authority, believers must discern when to stand firm in their faith. Perseverance in FaithThe Jews' experience teaches the importance of perseverance. Despite setbacks, maintaining faith and commitment to God's calling is crucial. Community SupportThe Jewish community's collective effort underscores the importance of unity and support among believers when facing challenges. Divine TimingTrust in God's timing and sovereignty. The halt in construction was temporary, reminding us that God's plans will ultimately prevail. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the opposition faced by the Jews in Ezra 4:23 reflect the challenges Christians might encounter today when pursuing God's work? 2. In what ways can believers balance respect for earthly authorities with obedience to God's commands, as seen in the actions of Rehum and Shimshai? 3. How can the perseverance of the Jewish community in rebuilding Jerusalem inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith during difficult times? 4. What role does community play in overcoming opposition, and how can we apply this principle in our church or small group settings? 5. How can we trust in God's timing and sovereignty when our plans seem to be halted or delayed, as experienced by the Jews in Jerusalem? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 4This chapter also deals with opposition to the rebuilding efforts, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by the Jewish community and their reliance on God for strength and protection. Daniel 6Daniel's experience with opposition in a foreign land parallels the Jews' struggles in Jerusalem, emphasizing faithfulness amidst external pressures. Haggai 1The prophet Haggai encourages the Jews to prioritize the rebuilding of the temple, offering a divine perspective on the importance of their work despite opposition. People Ahasuerus, Apharesattechites, Apharesites, Apharsathchites, Apharsites, Archevites, Artaxerxes, Asnapper, Babylonians, Benjamin, Bishlam, Cyrus, Darius, Dehaites, Dehavites, Dehites, Dianites, Dinaites, Dinites, Elamites, Esarhaddon, Jeshua, Mithredath, Persians, Rehum, Shimshai, Shushanchites, Tabeel, Tarpelites, ZerubbabelPlaces Assyria, Beyond the River, Erech, Jerusalem, Persia, Samaria, SusaTopics Arms, Artaxerxes, Ar-ta-xerx'es, Associates, Caused, Cease, Colleagues, Companions, Compelled, Copy, Document, Force, Friends, Haste, Immediately, Jerusalem, Jews, King's, Letter, Power, Quickly, Reading, Rehum, Scribe, Secretary, Shimshai, Shim'shai, Stop, Stopped, StrengthDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:23 5393 literacy
5519 secretary
7505 Jews, the Ezra 4:6-23 7560 Samaritans, the Library Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 4:23 NIVEzra 4:23 NLTEzra 4:23 ESVEzra 4:23 NASBEzra 4:23 KJV
Ezra 4:23 Commentaries
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