Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations. Let it be known to the kingThis phrase serves as a formal introduction to the message being delivered to the king. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such formalities were crucial in diplomatic communications. The phrase underscores the importance of the message and the respect for authority. The Hebrew root for "known" (יָדַע, yada) implies a deep, intimate understanding, suggesting that the writers wanted the king to fully grasp the implications of the Jews' actions. the Jews who came up from you
This refers to the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity. The phrase "came up" is significant, as it reflects the geographical and spiritual ascent to Jerusalem, which is situated on a hill. The return from exile is a fulfillment of God's promise and a pivotal moment in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and hope. have returned to us at Jerusalem
The return to Jerusalem is not just a physical relocation but a spiritual homecoming. Jerusalem holds profound significance as the city of God, the center of Jewish worship, and the location of the Temple. The Hebrew name "Jerusalem" (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yerushalayim) is often associated with peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom), though the city has frequently been a site of conflict. and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city
The description of Jerusalem as "rebellious and wicked" reflects the perspective of the surrounding peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts. Historically, Jerusalem had been a center of resistance against foreign powers, which is why it was viewed negatively by those who wrote this letter. The Hebrew word for "rebellious" (מָרָד, marad) conveys defiance, while "wicked" (רָע, ra) suggests moral corruption. However, from a biblical perspective, the rebuilding of Jerusalem is an act of obedience to God. They have completed the walls
The completion of the walls signifies a major milestone in the restoration of Jerusalem. Walls in ancient cities were crucial for protection and symbolized strength and stability. The Hebrew word for "walls" (חוֹמָה, chomah) emphasizes the security and separation from external threats, reflecting God's provision and protection for His people. and repaired the foundations
Repairing the foundations is a metaphor for restoring the spiritual and communal life of the Jewish people. Foundations (יָסַד, yasad) in the Hebrew context represent the underlying support and strength of a structure. This act of repair is symbolic of re-establishing the covenant relationship with God and laying the groundwork for future generations to build upon. Persons / Places / Events 1. The JewsThe returning exiles from Babylon who are rebuilding Jerusalem. 2. JerusalemThe city being rebuilt, historically significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity. 3. The KingRefers to Artaxerxes, the Persian king to whom the letter is addressed. 4. The AdversariesLocal officials and peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts, viewing Jerusalem as a threat. 5. The Rebuilding EffortThe process of restoring Jerusalem's walls and foundations, symbolizing the restoration of the Jewish community and worship. Teaching Points Opposition to God's WorkExpect resistance when undertaking God's work. The adversaries in Ezra 4 remind us that spiritual endeavors often face opposition. Faithfulness in AdversityThe Jews' commitment to rebuilding despite opposition teaches us the importance of perseverance in our faith journeys. The Importance of CommunityThe collective effort to rebuild Jerusalem underscores the power of community in achieving God's purposes. God's Sovereignty in RestorationThe rebuilding of Jerusalem is a testament to God's faithfulness in restoring His people, encouraging us to trust in His plans for restoration in our lives. Historical and Spiritual SignificanceUnderstanding the historical context of Jerusalem's rebuilding helps us appreciate its spiritual significance as a symbol of God's covenant and presence. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the opposition faced by the Jews in Ezra 4:12 reflect the challenges we might encounter in our spiritual lives today? 2. In what ways can we draw strength from community when facing opposition, as seen in the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem? 3. How does the prophecy in Daniel 9:25 enhance our understanding of the events in Ezra 4:12? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Jews' perseverance in rebuilding Jerusalem that can be applied to our personal spiritual growth? 5. How does the historical context of Jerusalem's rebuilding deepen our understanding of its spiritual significance in the Bible? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2-4Provides further context on the opposition faced during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Daniel 9:25Prophecies about the rebuilding of Jerusalem, connecting to the fulfillment seen in Ezra. Isaiah 44:28Speaks of Cyrus's decree to rebuild Jerusalem, setting the stage for the events in Ezra. Haggai 1:4-8Encourages the Jews to prioritize rebuilding the temple, highlighting the importance of their mission. 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 Bad, Base, Bases, Building, Complete, Digging, Evil, Finished, Finishing, Foundations, Jerusalem, Jews, Join, Joined, Joining, News, Noxious, Rebellious, Rebuilding, Repaired, Repairing, Restoring, Thereof, Town, Uncontrolled, Walls, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:12 5256 city
5317 foundation
7540 Judaism Ezra 4:6-16 5202 accusation, false Ezra 4:6-23 7560 Samaritans, the Ezra 4:11-12 7505 Jews, the Ezra 4:12-13 8796 persecution, forms of Ezra 4:12-15 7468 temple, rebuilding 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 4:12 NIVEzra 4:12 NLTEzra 4:12 ESVEzra 4:12 NASBEzra 4:12 KJV
Ezra 4:12 Commentaries
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