Ezra 4:7
New International Version
And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.

New Living Translation
Even later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, the enemies of Judah, led by Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel, sent a letter to Artaxerxes in the Aramaic language, and it was translated for the king.

English Standard Version
In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.

Berean Standard Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated.

King James Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

New King James Version
In the days of Artaxerxes also, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabel, and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic script, and translated into the Aramaic language.

New American Standard Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

NASB 1995
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

NASB 1977
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

Legacy Standard Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

Amplified Bible
Later, in the days of [King] Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

Christian Standard Bible
During the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
During the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated.

American Standard Version
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian character, and set forth in the Syrian tongue.

Contemporary English Version
Later, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their advisors got together and wrote a letter to Artaxerxes when he was king of Persia. It was written in Aramaic and had to be translated.

English Revised Version
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian character, and set forth in the Syrian tongue.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their group wrote to him when Artaxerxes was king of Persia. The letter was written with the Aramaic script and translated into the Aramaic language.

Good News Translation
Again in the reign of Emperor Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their associates wrote a letter to the emperor. The letter was written in Aramaic and was to be translated when read.

International Standard Version
While Artaxerxes was king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their co-conspirators wrote in the Aramaic language and script to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Aramaic:

Majority Standard Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated.

NET Bible
And during the reign of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia. This letter was first written in Aramaic but then translated. [Aramaic:]

New Heart English Bible
In the days of Artachshasta wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, to Artachshasta king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic, and set forth in the Aramaic language.

Webster's Bible Translation
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian language, and interpreted in the Syrian language.

World English Bible
In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and in the days of Artaxerxes have Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions written to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter is written in Aramaic, and interpreted in Aramaic.

Young's Literal Translation
and in the days of Artaxerxes have Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions written unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter is written in Aramaean, and interpreted in Aramaean.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the days of Arthasatha, wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues, to Arthasatha, king of Persia; and the writing of the letter being written in Syriac, and being interpreted in Syriac.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Beselam, Mithridates, and Thabeel, and the rest that were in the council wrote to Artaxerxes king of the Persians : and the letter of accusation was written in Syriac, and was read in the Syrian tongue.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel, and the others who were in their council wrote to Artaxerxes, king of the Persians. Now the letter of accusation was written in Syriac, and was being read in the Syrian language.

New American Bible
Again, in the time of Artaxerxes, Tabeel and the rest of his fellow officials, in concert with Mithredath, wrote to Artaxerxes, king of Persia. The document was written in Aramaic and was accompanied by a translation.

New Revised Standard Version
And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia; the letter was written in Aramaic and translated.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And in the days of Artakhshisht, wrote Bishlam, Mahderat, Tabaiel, and the rest of their companions to Artakhshisht king of Persia; and the letter was written in Aramaic and interpreted in Aramaic.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the days of Artakhshesht, Beshlam, Mahderath and Tabeil wrote and asked, and the rest in like manner, Artakhshesht, King of Persia, and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and it was translated into Aramaic.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Aramaic character, and set forth in the Aramaic tongue.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And in the days of Arthasastha, Tabeel wrote peaceably to Mithradates and to the rest of his fellow-servants: the tribute-gatherer wrote to Arthasastha king of the Persians a writing in the Syrian tongue, and the same interpreted.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
6At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 7And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. 8Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:…

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:19
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?”

Nehemiah 6:5-9
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ...

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

2 Kings 17:24
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.

2 Kings 17:33-34
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. / 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 17:41
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 Chronicles 36:22-23
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: / “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 the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Ezra 1:1-4
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: / “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. ...

Ezra 5:6-7
This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius. / The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: All peace.

Ezra 6:6-12
Therefore Darius decreed: To Tattenai governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates and officials in the region: You must stay away from that place! / Leave this work on the house of God alone. Let the governor and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its original site. / I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered. ...

Acts 4:18-21
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...

Acts 5:27-29
They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 24:1-9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...

Acts 25:7
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.


Treasury of Scripture

And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

A.

Bishlam.

Ezra 4:9,17
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, …

Ezra 5:6
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

Ezra 7:27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

2 Kings 18:26
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

Isaiah 36:11
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.

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Aramaic Artaxerxes Ar-Ta-Xerx'es Character Colleagues Companions Forth Interpreted Letter Mithredath Mith'redath Persia Rest Script Syrian Tabeel Text Time Tongue Translated Writing Written Wrote
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Aramaic Artaxerxes Ar-Ta-Xerx'es Character Colleagues Companions Forth Interpreted Letter Mithredath Mith'redath Persia Rest Script Syrian Tabeel Text Time Tongue Translated Writing Written Wrote
Ezra 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














And in the days of Artaxerxes
The mention of "Artaxerxes" situates this verse in a specific historical context. Artaxerxes I was a Persian king who reigned from 465 to 424 BC. His reign is significant in the biblical narrative as it marks a period of opposition to the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. The name "Artaxerxes" itself is of Persian origin, meaning "righteous ruler," which is somewhat ironic given the opposition faced by the Israelites during his reign. This phrase sets the stage for understanding the political and social challenges that the Jewish people faced during this time.

Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel
These names represent individuals who were likely local officials or leaders in the Persian Empire. "Bishlam" could be derived from a root meaning "peace" or "welfare," suggesting a possible role as a mediator or someone concerned with the welfare of the region. "Mithredath" is a name of Persian origin, meaning "given by Mithra," a deity in the Zoroastrian religion, indicating the cultural and religious diversity of the Persian Empire. "Tabeel" might be a name of Aramaic origin, meaning "God is good," which could reflect a syncretism of religious beliefs. These individuals were part of the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem, highlighting the complex interplay of politics and religion.

and the rest of his associates
This phrase indicates that there were more individuals involved in the opposition than just those named. It suggests a coalition of local leaders who were united in their efforts to hinder the progress of the Jewish people. The use of "associates" implies a network of influence and power, which would have been formidable for the returning exiles to contend with. This opposition serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by God's people throughout history.

wrote a letter to Artaxerxes
The act of writing a letter to the king underscores the formal and serious nature of the opposition. In the ancient Near East, written communication was a powerful tool for influencing political decisions. This letter was likely crafted to persuade Artaxerxes to halt the rebuilding efforts, reflecting the strategic and calculated approach of the opposition. It also highlights the importance of written records in the administration of the vast Persian Empire.

The letter was written in Aramaic
Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Persian Empire, used for official communication across diverse regions. The use of Aramaic indicates the formal and official nature of the correspondence. It also reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the empire, as well as the adaptability of the Jewish people who had to navigate these complexities. The choice of language underscores the seriousness of the opposition's intent to communicate effectively with the Persian administration.

and then translated
The translation of the letter suggests that it was intended for a broader audience, possibly including those who did not speak Aramaic. This could imply that the opposition wanted to ensure that their message was clearly understood by all relevant parties, including the king and his court. The act of translation also highlights the importance of clear communication in matters of state and the lengths to which the opposition went to achieve their goals. This serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the Jewish people in maintaining their identity and mission amidst external pressures.

(7) In the days of Artaxerxes.--This must be Gomates, the Magian priest who personated Smerdis, the dead son of Cyrus, and reigned only seven months: note that the expression used is "days," and not "reign" as in the previous verse. This Artaxerxes has been thought by many commentators to be the Longimanus of the sequel of this book and of Nehemiah, and they have identified the Ahasuerus of Ezra and Esther with Xerxes. This would explain the reference to "the walls" in Ezra 4:12; but in Ezra 4:23-24 the sequence of events is strict, and the word "ceased" links the parts of the narrative into unity. Moreover, the Persian princes had often more than one name. At the same time, there is nothing to make such an anticipatory and parenthetical insertion impossible.

In the Syrian tongue.--The characters and the words were Syrian or Aramaic; this explains the transition to another language at this point,

Verse 7. - And in the days of Artaxerxes. See the comment on ver. 6. If Artaxerxes be the Pseudo-Smerdis, we can readily understand why an application was not made to him at once, and how it came about that the Jews recommenced their building, as they appear from vers. 12, 13 to have done. The Pseudo-Smerdis was a usurper; his reign was a time of partial anarchy; in a distant part of the empire it would not be known for a while who was king. Men would be thrown on themselves, and would do as it seemed good in their own eyes. Later, there may have been some doubt whether a king, who was known to be a religious reformer, would follow the policy of his predecessor with respect to the Jews, or reverse it. Hence a delay, and then a more formal application than before for a positive decree to stop the building (see ver. 21). The rest of their companions. Literally, of their companies - the abstract for the concrete. The writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue. Rather, "in the Syrian fashion," i.e. in Syriac characters. And interpreted in the Syrian tongue. Or "translated into the Syriac language." The character and the words were alike Syriac (comp. 2 Kings 18:26). Ezra gives the letter in Chaldee.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And in the days
וּבִימֵ֣י (ū·ḇî·mê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Artaxerxes king
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֗שְׂתָּא (’ar·taḥ·šaś·tā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

of Persia,
פָּרָ֑ס (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

Bishlam,
בִּשְׁלָ֜ם (biš·lām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1312: Bishlam -- perhaps 'son of peace', a Pers

Mithredath,
מִתְרְדָ֤ת (miṯ·rə·ḏāṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4990: Mithredath -- two Persians

Tabeel,
טָֽבְאֵל֙ (ṭā·ḇə·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2870: Tabeal -- 'good for nothing', an Aramean (Syrian)

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of
כנותו (kə·nā·wō·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

his associates
כְּנָוֺתָ֔יו (kə·nā·wō·ṯāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3674: Associate, colleague

wrote [a letter]
כָּתַ֨ב (kā·ṯaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Artaxerxes.
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

[It]
הַֽנִּשְׁתְּוָ֔ן (han·niš·tə·wān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5406: An epistle

was written
כָּת֥וּב (kā·ṯūḇ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in Aramaic
אֲרָמִ֖ית (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

and translated [for the king].
וּמְתֻרְגָּ֥ם (ū·mə·ṯur·gām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8638: To interpret, translate

The Aramaic script [read as follows]:
אֲרָמִֽית׃ (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)


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OT History: Ezra 4:7 In the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:6
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