Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings. The king sent this replyThis phrase indicates the authority and the formal nature of the communication. The king, likely Artaxerxes I of Persia, is responding to a letter sent by adversaries of the Jews. The Persian Empire was vast, and the king's word was law, reflecting the centralized power and the bureaucratic system that allowed for such correspondence. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a mission or purpose, suggesting the king's response was deliberate and considered. To Rehum the commander
Rehum is identified as a commander, indicating a position of military or administrative authority. His role suggests he was responsible for maintaining order and implementing the king's decrees in the region. The historical context reveals that local leaders often had significant influence and could sway the king's decisions by their reports. The name Rehum itself, meaning "compassionate" in Hebrew, is somewhat ironic given his opposition to the rebuilding efforts. Shimshai the scribe
Shimshai, as a scribe, held an important bureaucratic role, responsible for recording and communicating official documents. Scribes were educated and literate, often serving as advisors. The Hebrew root for "scribe" (סוֹפֵר, sopher) implies someone who counts or records, highlighting the meticulous nature of his work. His involvement underscores the organized opposition to the Jewish efforts. and the rest of their associates
This phrase indicates a collective effort against the Jews, involving multiple parties. The term "associates" suggests a coalition or alliance, reflecting the political dynamics of the time. These individuals were likely local leaders or influential figures who felt threatened by the rebuilding of Jerusalem and sought to maintain their power. living in Samaria
Samaria was a significant region in the Persian Empire, often at odds with Judah. The Samaritans, a mixed population resulting from Assyrian resettlement policies, had a contentious relationship with the Jews. This historical animosity is crucial to understanding the opposition to the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem's walls. and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates
This phrase expands the scope of the opposition, indicating that it was not limited to Samaria but included other areas under Persian control. The "region west of the Euphrates" was a vast area known as "Beyond the River," a Persian administrative district. This highlights the widespread nature of the resistance and the strategic importance of the region. Greetings
The use of "greetings" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom in Hebrew) is a formal salutation, common in ancient correspondence. It conveys a sense of peace and goodwill, though in this context, it is somewhat perfunctory given the adversarial nature of the communication. The word "shalom" carries deep connotations of wholeness and harmony, which contrasts with the underlying conflict in the narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRefers to Artaxerxes, the Persian king who received a letter from the adversaries of Judah and Jerusalem, expressing concern over the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 2. Rehum the CommanderA local official who, along with others, opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jews in Jerusalem. 3. Shimshai the ScribeAn official who assisted Rehum in drafting the letter to King Artaxerxes, opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 4. SamariaA region north of Judah, where some of the adversaries of the Jews resided. It was part of the Persian Empire at the time. 5. Region West of the EuphratesThis refers to the area of the Persian Empire that included Judah and Samaria, indicating the broader context of opposition to the Jewish rebuilding efforts. Teaching Points Opposition to God's WorkExpect resistance when undertaking God's work. Just as the Jews faced opposition, believers today may encounter challenges when following God's call. God's SovereigntyDespite opposition, God remains in control. The Jews' account in Ezra reminds us that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes. Perseverance in FaithThe Jews' perseverance in rebuilding despite opposition encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith and mission. Role of LeadershipEffective leadership is crucial in overcoming opposition. Leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrate the importance of godly leadership in advancing God's purposes. Community SupportThe importance of community in facing opposition is evident. Believers should support one another in prayer and action when facing challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the opposition faced by the Jews in Ezra 4:17 compare to the challenges faced by believers today in fulfilling God's work? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the midst of opposition, both in Ezra's time and in our own lives? 3. How can the perseverance of the Jews in rebuilding Jerusalem inspire us to remain faithful in our own spiritual journeys? 4. What qualities of leadership are demonstrated by Ezra and Nehemiah that we can apply in our roles within the church or community? 5. How can we as a church community better support each other when facing opposition or challenges in our faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also faced opposition when he sought to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, showing a pattern of resistance against God's people. Daniel 6Daniel faced opposition from local officials who sought to undermine his position, similar to the opposition faced by the Jews in Ezra. Acts 4The early church faced opposition from religious leaders, paralleling the resistance to God's work seen in Ezra. 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 Across, Associates, Beyond, Chancellor, Chief, Colleagues, Commander, Commanding, Companions, Counsellor, Dwell, Dwelling, Elsewhere, Forth, Friends, Greeting, Greetings, Officer, Peace, Places, Province, Provinces, Rehum, Rest, River, Ruler, Samaria, Sama'ria, Saying, Scribe, Secretary, Shimshai, Shim'shai, Trans-euphratesDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 4:17 5328 greeting
5519 secretary
7468 temple, rebuilding 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 4:17 NIVEzra 4:17 NLTEzra 4:17 ESVEzra 4:17 NASBEzra 4:17 KJV
Ezra 4:17 Commentaries
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