Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, New Living Translation The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel. English Standard Version Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, Berean Standard Bible When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, Berean Literal Bible And the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building the temple of YHWH, God of Israel, King James Bible Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; New King James Version Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, New American Standard Bible Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, NASB 1995 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, NASB 1977 Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, Legacy Standard Bible Then the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel, Amplified Bible Now when [the Samaritans] the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles from the captivity were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel, Berean Annotated Bible When the enemies of Judah (praised) and Benjamin (son of the right hand) heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), Christian Standard Bible When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, Holman Christian Standard Bible When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel, American Standard Version Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel; Contemporary English Version The enemies of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people had come back to rebuild the temple of the LORD God of Israel. English Revised Version Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded a temple unto the LORD, the God of Israel; GOD'S WORD® Translation When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people who returned from exile were building a temple for the LORD God of Israel, Good News Translation The enemies of the people of Judah and Benjamin heard that those who had returned from exile were rebuilding the Temple of the LORD, the God of Israel. International Standard Version When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned that the descendants of the Babylonian captivity had built their Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, NET Bible When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned that the former exiles were building a temple for the LORD God of Israel, New Heart English Bible Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people from the exile were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel; Webster's Bible Translation Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building the temple to the LORD God of Israel; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, World English Bible Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd adversaries of Judah and Benjamin hear that the sons of the captivity are building a temple to YHWH, God of Israel, Berean Literal Bible And the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building the temple of YHWH, God of Israel, Young's Literal Translation And adversaries of Judah and Benjamin hear that the sons of the captivity are building a temple to Jehovah, God of Israel, Smith's Literal Translation And the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin will hear that the sons of the captivity were building the temple to Jehovah God of Israel; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow the enemies of Juda and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to the Lord the God of Israel. Catholic Public Domain Version Now the enemies of Judah and of Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. New American Bible When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, New Revised Standard Version When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNOW when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the captivity were building the temple to the LORD God of Israel, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the haters of Yehuda and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building the temple to LORD JEHOVAH God of Israel. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto the LORD, the God of Israel; Brenton Septuagint Translation And they that afflicted Juda and Benjamin heard, that the children of the captivity were building a house to the Lord God of Israel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Adversaries Hinder the Work1When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.”… Cross References When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin Nehemiah 4:1-3 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” 2 Chronicles 32:1-8 After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself. / When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. … Psalm 83:2-4 See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. / With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” heard that the exiles were building a temple Ezra 5:3-5 At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?” / They also asked, “What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?” / But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, so that they were not stopped until a report was sent to Darius and written instructions about this matter were returned. Ezra 3:8-10 In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD. / So Jeshua and his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Yehudah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together to supervise those working on the house of God. / When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed. Haggai 1:14-15 So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God, / on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. for the LORD, the God of Israel, 1 Kings 8:20-21 Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. / And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” 2 Chronicles 6:18-20 But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. / Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You. / May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. Ezra 1:2-4 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. / And let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.’” Nehemiah 2:19-20 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / 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.” Nehemiah 6:1-2 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. 2 Kings 17:24-33 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” … 2 Kings 17:41 So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. 2 Kings 17:34 To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. 2 Kings 17:29-30 Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, 2 Kings 17:32 So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places. Treasury of Scripture Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity built the temple to the LORD God of Israel; Ezra 7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 1 Kings 5:4,5 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent… 1 Chronicles 22:9,10 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days… children of the captivity. Ezra 1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. Ezra 6:16,19,20 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, … Ezra 10:7,16 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; … Jump to Previous Adversaries Benjamin Builded Building Captivity Children Enemies Exile Exiles Haters Hear Heard Israel Judah News TempleJump to Next Adversaries Benjamin Builded Building Captivity Children Enemies Exile Exiles Haters Hear Heard Israel Judah News TempleEzra 4 1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, 4. endeavor to hinder it 7. Their letter to Artaxerxes 17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes 23. The building is hindered When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin The term "enemies" refers to the adversaries of the returning Jewish exiles. These were primarily the people who had settled in the land during the Babylonian exile, including Samaritans and other groups. Historically, these groups had mixed religious practices and were often at odds with the returning Jews who sought to reestablish pure worship of Yahweh. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were the primary tribes that returned from exile, representing the southern kingdom of Judah. This context highlights the ongoing tension between the returning exiles and the inhabitants of the land. heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel Persons / Places / Events 1. Enemies of Judah and BenjaminThese were the adversaries of the Jewish people who had returned from exile. They were likely the Samaritans and other local groups who opposed the rebuilding efforts. 2. Judah and Benjamin These were the two tribes of Israel that made up the Southern Kingdom. After the Babylonian exile, the returning exiles primarily belonged to these tribes. 3. Exiles Refers to the Jewish people who had been taken captive to Babylon and were now returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. 4. Building a Temple The central event in this passage is the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem, a significant act of worship and identity for the Jewish people. 5. The LORD, the God of Israel This emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the religious significance of the temple. Teaching Points Opposition to God's WorkExpect resistance when undertaking God's work. The rebuilding of the temple faced opposition, reminding us that spiritual endeavors often encounter challenges. Identity and Worship The temple was central to Jewish identity and worship. Similarly, our identity in Christ should be central to our lives, influencing our actions and priorities. Community and Cooperation The exiles worked together to rebuild the temple. In the church, cooperation and unity are essential for accomplishing God's purposes. Faithfulness in Adversity Despite opposition, the exiles remained committed to their task. We are called to remain faithful to God's calling, even when facing difficulties. God's Sovereignty The rebuilding of the temple was part of God's plan. Trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control of all circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 4:1?2. How can we discern true allies in our spiritual work, as in Ezra 4:1? 3. What lessons on opposition can we learn from the adversaries in Ezra 4:1? 4. How does Ezra 4:1 connect to Jesus' teachings on discernment in Matthew 7:15? 5. In what ways can we remain steadfast when facing opposition like in Ezra 4:1? 6. How can we apply the wisdom from Ezra 4:1 to modern church challenges? 7. Why did the adversaries oppose the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra 4:1? 8. How does Ezra 4:1 reflect the theme of opposition in spiritual endeavors? 9. What historical context explains the adversaries' actions in Ezra 4:1? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 4? 11. In Ezra 4:1–2, how can we reconcile the reference to “the enemies of Judah and Benjamin” with archaeological evidence that suggests more complex local alliances? 12. What is Judea's significance in the Bible? 13. Isaiah 49:8 depicts a grand restoration—how does this align with historical records of Israel’s exiles and returns that appear less triumphant? 14. What are the key themes in the Book of Ezra? What Does Ezra 4:1 Mean When the enemies• The very first word, “When,” reminds us that opposition appears at a specific moment in God’s unfolding plan. Just as Sanballat and Tobiah later rose up “when” the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt (Nehemiah 4:1-2), so these adversaries surface the instant God’s people move forward. • Scripture consistently shows that whenever God initiates restoration, resistance follows—think of Pharaoh as Israel prepared to leave Egypt (Exodus 5:1-2) or the Herodian plot the moment Jesus was born (Matthew 2:13). • The label “enemies” is not exaggerated; it states fact. Psalm 83:2 affirms, “Your enemies roar,” and 1 Peter 5:8 warns believers to stay alert because the adversary still prowls. of Judah and Benjamin • Judah and Benjamin form the remnant tribes of the Southern Kingdom, carrying the lineage of David and the covenant promises (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Their identity matters: they are the custodians of Messiah’s line (Micah 5:2). • Attack on these tribes is ultimately an attack on God’s redemptive agenda. We see a similar focus on Judah in Zechariah 12:2-3, where surrounding nations gather against Jerusalem but the Lord pledges deliverance. • The specificity—Judah and Benjamin—also highlights that opposition often targets the very core of God’s purposes rather than the periphery. heard • Word travels quickly where God’s work is concerned. Joshua 9:1-2 notes that Canaanite kings “heard” of Israel’s advance and formed a coalition. • Hearing generates reaction: enemies rarely remain neutral after receiving news of divine activity. Acts 4:1-2 shows religious leaders reacting when they “heard” the apostles preach resurrection. • For us, it underscores that spiritual opposition is alert, listening, and ready to push back whenever God’s people obey. that the exiles • The term “exiles” recalls God’s faithfulness. He promised through Jeremiah, “I will bring you back” (Jeremiah 29:10), and here they are—a living testimony that the Lord keeps His word. • Opposition is often fueled by jealousy toward restored people. Revelation 3:9 pictures adversaries forced to acknowledge God has loved His church. • Their exile experience also forged dependence on God, making them resilient in the face of schemes aimed at discouragement (Ezra 4:4-5). were building a temple • Building the temple signaled a shift from mere survival to worship and covenant renewal. Haggai 1:8 captures God’s heartbeat: “Go up into the mountains... build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it.” • Physical construction mirrors spiritual rebuilding. 1 Peter 2:5 calls believers “living stones” being built into a spiritual house. • The project’s visibility provokes hostility; darkness opposes any structure that magnifies God’s presence among His people. for the LORD, the God of Israel • The purpose is explicitly “for the LORD.” No political agenda, no personal empire—pure devotion. Deuteronomy 6:4 centers worship on the LORD alone, excluding all rivals. • Adding “the God of Israel” clarifies His unique covenant relationship. Throughout Scripture, adversaries are powerless when God fights for His people (2 Chronicles 32:8). • The phrase reminds us that true worship will always draw lines of distinction. Just as Elijah’s altar confronted Baal (1 Kings 18:21-39), this temple announces that the God of Israel alone is worthy. summary Ezra 4:1 captures the predictable clash that erupts whenever God’s redeemed people move from exile to active worship. The moment Judah and Benjamin advance God’s plan, attentive enemies rise to oppose, yet every phrase in the verse underlines the covenant faithfulness and sovereign purpose of “the LORD, the God of Israel.” Knowing this pattern equips us to expect resistance, remain steadfast, and keep building whatever God has assigned, confident that His mission—and His presence—cannot be thwarted. (1) The adversaries.--The Samaritans, so termed by Nehemiah (Ezra 4:11). These were a mixed race, the original Israelite element of which was nearly lost in the tribes imported into the northern part of the land by Sargon, Sennacherib, and Esar-haddon. (See 2Kings 17:24-34.)Verse 1. - The adversaries. Notwithstanding the friendly guise in which they came, the historian sees from the first that the Samaritans are in reality "adversaries," or "persecutors" (tsazey), identical in spirit with Sanballat and his followers, whom Nehemiah designates by the same word (Ezra 4:11).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When the enemiesצָרֵ֥י (ṣā·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent of Judah יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and Benjamin וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן (ū·ḇin·yā·min) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites heard וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the exiles בְנֵ֤י (ḇə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son were building בּוֹנִ֣ים (bō·w·nîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1129: To build a temple הֵיכָ֔ל (hê·ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple for the LORD, לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Links Ezra 4:1 NIVEzra 4:1 NLT Ezra 4:1 ESV Ezra 4:1 NASB Ezra 4:1 KJV Ezra 4:1 BibleApps.com Ezra 4:1 Biblia Paralela Ezra 4:1 Chinese Bible Ezra 4:1 French Bible Ezra 4:1 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah (Ezr. 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