Ezr 4:16-24 - Commentary

Commentary

Old Testament : Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

New Testament : Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

collapse all

Text -- Ezra 4:16-24 (NET)

Strongs On/Off

Context

4:16 We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control of this portion of Trans-Euphrates.” 4:17 The king sent the following response: “To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and other parts of Trans-Euphrates: Greetings! 4:18 The letter you sent to us has been translated and read in my presence. 4:19 So I gave orders, and it was determined that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in rebellion and revolt. 4:20 Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates and who were the beneficiaries of tribute, custom, and toll. 4:21 Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct. 4:22 Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?” 4:23 Then, as soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read in the presence of Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they proceeded promptly to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped them with threat of armed force. 4:24 So the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem came to a halt. It remained halted until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.

Parallel

Cross Reference (TSK)

ITL

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:

· Artaxerxes a man who usurped the Persian throne 552-551BC (ZD74),a Persian king who must have reigned before 516BC (ZD74),King of Persia about 460-440BC (ZD74)

· Darius king of Persia after Cyrus and Artaxerxes Smerdis; Darius I,son of Ahasuerus; Darius II the Mede,king of Persia after Darius II; Darius III the Persian

· Jerusalem the capital city of Israel,a town; the capital of Israel near the southern border of Benjamin

· Jew the people descended from Israel

· Persia citizen(s) of Persia

· Rehum a priest leader of some who returned from exile with Zerubbabel,a man who was one of Ezra's local adversaries,son of Bani; a Levite who helped repair the walls of Jerusalem,an Israelite chief who signed the covenant to keep God's law

· Samaria residents of the district of Samaria

· Shimshai father of (Zabad?) who had Artaxerxes stop the work on the temple