and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates. and the rest of the nationsThis phrase refers to the various peoples who were relocated by the Assyrian Empire. Historically, the Assyrians were known for their policy of deporting conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into their empire. This practice is well-documented in Assyrian records and aligns with the biblical narrative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's fall. Theologically, this scattering of nations can be seen as a fulfillment of God's warnings to Israel about the consequences of disobedience. that the great and noble Ashurbanipal
Ashurbanipal was one of the last great kings of the Assyrian Empire, reigning from 668 to 627 BC. Known for his vast library in Nineveh, Ashurbanipal was a powerful ruler who expanded Assyrian influence. The use of "great and noble" highlights his significant status and the might of the Assyrian Empire during his reign. From a biblical perspective, the mention of Ashurbanipal underscores the historical reality of the events described in the Bible, providing a backdrop for understanding the geopolitical forces at play during the time of Ezra. deported and settled
The Assyrian policy of deportation involved forcibly relocating populations to different parts of the empire. This was intended to break the spirit of the conquered peoples and integrate them into the Assyrian culture. Theologically, this can be seen as a tool used by God to fulfill His purposes, even through the actions of pagan empires. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and history. in the cities of Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC. The resettlement of foreign peoples in Samaria led to the intermingling of cultures and religions, contributing to the development of the Samaritan people, who were often at odds with the Jews of Judah. This historical context is crucial for understanding the tensions between Jews and Samaritans in the New Testament. and elsewhere beyond the River
The phrase "beyond the River" typically refers to the region west of the Euphrates River, encompassing parts of modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. This indicates the widespread nature of the Assyrian deportations and the vastness of their empire. In a broader biblical context, it highlights the dispersion of peoples and the complex cultural and political landscape that the returning exiles, like those in Ezra's time, had to navigate. Persons / Places / Events 1. AshurbanipalThe great and noble king of Assyria, known for his military conquests and cultural achievements. He deported various nations and settled them in Samaria. 2. SamariaA region in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which became a melting pot of different peoples and cultures due to Assyrian resettlement policies. 3. The NationsVarious groups of people deported by Ashurbanipal, representing the diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds that were brought into Samaria. 4. Beyond the RiverRefers to the region beyond the Euphrates River, indicating the broader geographical context of the resettlement. 5. Deportation and ResettlementA common practice by conquering empires like Assyria to control and assimilate conquered peoples, which had significant cultural and religious implications. Teaching Points Understanding God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is sovereign over nations and uses historical events to fulfill His purposes, even when they seem chaotic or unjust. Cultural and Religious SyncretismBe aware of the dangers of blending different religious beliefs and practices, as seen in the history of Samaria, and strive to maintain the purity of biblical faith. Opposition to God's WorkExpect opposition when undertaking God's work, as the Jews did during the rebuilding of the temple, and rely on God's strength to persevere. The Role of LeadershipReflect on the influence of leaders like Ashurbanipal and consider how leadership can shape the spiritual and cultural landscape of a community. God's Faithfulness to His PeopleTrust in God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they face displacement or adversity, as He ultimately works for their good. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the historical context of Assyrian deportation and resettlement in Samaria help us understand the challenges faced by the returning exiles in Ezra's time? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in Ezra 4:10, and how does this encourage us in our own lives? 3. How can the example of cultural and religious syncretism in Samaria serve as a warning for Christians today in maintaining doctrinal purity? 4. What lessons can we learn from the opposition faced by the Jews in rebuilding the temple that apply to our own efforts to serve God? 5. How does the leadership of figures like Ashurbanipal contrast with biblical leadership principles, and what can we learn from this about the impact of leadership on faith communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 17Provides background on the Assyrian conquest of Israel and the subsequent resettlement of foreign peoples in Samaria, leading to the syncretism of religious practices. Nehemiah 4Describes the opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding of Jerusalem, similar to the resistance encountered in Ezra 4. Isaiah 10Discusses the Assyrian empire's role as an instrument of God's judgment, highlighting the broader divine purpose behind historical events. 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 Asenappar, Ashurbanipal, Asnapper, Beyond, Cities, Deported, Elsewhere, Euphrates, Forth, Honorable, Honourable, Nations, Noble, Osnappar, Osnap'par, Peoples, Province, Region, Removed, Rest, River, Samaria, Sama'ria, Settled, TransDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:6-16 5202 accusation, false 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 4:10 NIVEzra 4:10 NLTEzra 4:10 ESVEzra 4:10 NASBEzra 4:10 KJV
Ezra 4:10 Commentaries
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