Ezra 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now when the adversaries - These were the Samaritans, and the different nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants away into captivity, see Ezr 4:9, Ezr 4:10.
Open source ↗THE BUILDING HINDERED. (Ezr 4:1-6) the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin--that is, strangers settled in the land of Israel.
Open source ↗Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin,.... The Samaritans, as appears from Ezr 4:2, heard that the children of the captivity; the Jews, who had been in captivity seventy years, and were just come out of it, and still were not quite free, but under the jurisdiction and control of the king of Persia: builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; that they were going about it, and had laid the foundation of it, which might soon come to their ears, the distance not being very great. Josephus (c) says they heard the sound of the trumpets, and came to know the meaning of it. (c) Antiqu. l. 11. c. 4. sect. 3.
Open source ↗The adversaries of the Jews prevent the building of the temple till the reign of Darius (Ezr 4:1, Ezr 4:2). When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the community which had returned from captivity were beginning to rebuild the temple, they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chiefs of the people, and desired to take part in this work, because they also sacrificed to the God of Israel. These adversaries were, according to Ezr 4:2, the people whom Esarhaddon king of Assyria had settled in the neighbourhood of Benjamin and Judah. If we compare with this verse the information (Kg2 17:24) that the kings of Assyria brought men from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria, and that they took possession of the depopulated kingdom of the ten tribes, and dwelt therein; then these adversaries of Judah and Benjamin are the inhabitants of the former kingdom of Israel, who were called Samaritans after the central-point of their settlement. הגּולה בּני, sons of the captivity (Ezr 6:19, etc., Ezr 8:35; Ezr 10:7, Ezr 10:16), also shortly into הגּולה, e.g., Ezr 1:11, are the Israelites returned from the Babylonian captivity, who composed the new community in Judah and Jerusalem. Those who returned with Zerubbabel, and took possession of the dwelling-places of their ancestors, being, exclusive of priests and Levites, chiefly members of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, are called, especially when named in distinction from the other inhabitants of the land, Judah and Benjamin. The adversaries give the reason of their request to share in the building of the temple in the words: "For we seek your God as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, which brought us up hither." The words ז…
Open source ↗We have here an instance of the old enmity that was put between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. God's temple cannot be built, but Satan will rage, and the gates of hell will fight against it. The gospel kingdom was, in like manner, to be set up with much struggling and contention. In this respect the glory of the latter house was greater than the glory of the former, and it was more a figure of the temple of Christ's church, in that Solomon built his temple when there was no adversary nor evil occurrent, (Kg1 5:4); but this second temple was built notwithstanding great opposition, in the removing and conquering of which, and the bringing of the work to perfection at last in spite of it, the wisdom, power, and goodness of God were much glorified, and the church was encouraged to trust in him. I. The undertakers are here called the children of the captivity (Ezr 4:1), which makes them look very little. They had newly come out of captivity, were born in captivity, had still the marks of their captivity upon them; though they were not now captives, they were under the control of those whose captives they had lately been. Israel was God's son, his first-born; but by their iniquity the people sold and enslaved themselves, and so became children of the captivity. But, it should seem, the thought of their being so quickened them to this work, for it was by their neglect of the temple that they lost their freedom. II. The opposers of the undertaking are here said to be the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin, not the Chaldeans or Persians (they gave them no disturbance - "let them build and welcome"), but the relics of the ten tribes, and the foreigners that had joined themselves to them, and patched up that mongrel religion we had an account of, Kg2 17:33. They…
Open source ↗4:1 Judah and Benjamin: Most of the exiles who had returned were from these two tribes of Israel (1:5).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
צַר (tsar, H6862) — narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ;… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גּוֹלָה (gôwlâh, H1473) — exile; concretely and collectively exiles בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… זְרֻבָּבֶל (Zᵉrubbâbel, H2216) — Zerubbabel, an Israelite רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֵסַר־חַדּוֹן (ʼÊçar-Chaddôwn, H634) — Esar-chaddon, an Assyrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗זְרֻבָּבֶל (Zᵉrubbâbel, H2216) — Zerubbabel, an Israelite יֵשׁוּעַ (Yêshûwaʻ, H3442) — Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7605) — a remainder רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king כּוֹרֶשׁ (Kôwresh, H3566) — Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בָּהַל (bâhal, H926) — to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly)… בָּלַהּ (bâlahh, H1089) — to palpitate; hence, (causatively) to terrify בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve פָּרַר (pârar, H6565) — to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… כּוֹרֶשׁ (Kôwresh, H3566) — Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פָּרַס (Pâraç, H6539) — Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ (Dârᵉyâvêsh, H1867) — Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings
Open source ↗מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ (ʼĂchashvêrôwsh, H325) — Achashverosh (i.e. Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes, but in this case Xerxes), the title (rather… תְּחִלָּה (tᵉchillâh, H8462) — a commencement; rel. original (adverb, -ly) כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) שִׂטְנָה (siṭnâh, H7855) — opposition (by letter) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא (ʼArtachshashtâʼ, H783) — Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) בִּשְׁלָם (Bishlâm, H1312) — Bishlam, a Persian מִתְרְדָת (Mithrᵉdâth, H4990) — Mithredath, the name of two Persians טָבְאֵל (ṭâbᵉʼêl, H2870) — Tabeel, the name of a Syrian and of a Persian שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7605) — a remainder כְּנָת (kᵉnâth, H3674) — a colleague (as having the same title) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king פָּרַס (Pâraç, H6539) — Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book נִשְׁתְּוָן (nishtᵉvân, H5406) — an epistle אֲרָמִית (ʼĂrâmîyth, H762) — (only adverbial) in Aramean תִּרְגַּם (tirgam, H8638) — to transfer, i.e. translate
Open source ↗רְחוּם (Rᵉchûwm, H7348) — Rechum, the name of a Persian and of three Israelites בְּעֵל (bᵉʻêl, H1169) — {a master; hence, a husband,} טְעֵם (ṭᵉʻêm, H2942) — properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account… שִׁמְשַׁי (Shimshay, H8124) — Shimshai, a Samaritan סָפֵר (çâphêr, H5613) — a scribe (secular or sacred) כְּתַב (kᵉthab, H3790) — {to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)} חַד (chad, H2298) — as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once אִגְּרָא (ʼiggᵉrâʼ, H104) — an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman) עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… יְרוּשָׁלֵם (Yᵉrûwshâlêm, H3390) — {Jerusalem} אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא (ʼArtachshashtâʼ, H783) — Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king כְּנֵמָא (kᵉnêmâʼ, H3660) — so or thus
Open source ↗אֱדַיִן (ʼĕdayin, H116) — then (of time) רְחוּם (Rᵉchûwm, H7348) — Rechum, the name of a Persian and of three Israelites בְּעֵל (bᵉʻêl, H1169) — {a master; hence, a husband,} טְעֵם (ṭᵉʻêm, H2942) — properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account… שִׁמְשַׁי (Shimshay, H8124) — Shimshai, a Samaritan סָפֵר (çâphêr, H5613) — a scribe (secular or sacred) שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7606) — {a remainder} כְּנָת (kᵉnâth, H3675) — {a colleague (as having the same title)} דִּינַי (Dîynay, H1784) — a Dinaite or inhabitant of some unknown Assyria province אֲפַרְסְכַי (ʼĂpharçᵉkay, H671) — an Apharsekite or Apharsathkite, an unknown Assyrian tribe טַרְפְּלַי (Ṭarpᵉlay, H2967) — a Tarpelite (collectively) or inhabitants of Tarpel, a place in Assyria אֲפָרְסַי (ʼĂphârᵉçay, H670) — an Apherasite or inhabitant of an unknown region of Assyria אַרְכְּוַי (ʼArkᵉvay, H756) — an Arkevite (collectively) or native of Erek בַּבְלִי (Bablîy, H896) — a Babylonian
Open source ↗שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7606) — {a remainder} אֻמָּה (ʼummâh, H524) — {a collection, i.e. community of persons} דִּי (dîy, H1768) — that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial… רַב (rab, H7229) — {abundant} יַקִּיר (yaqqîyr, H3358) — {precious} אׇסְנַפַּר (ʼOçnappar, H620) — Osnappar, an Assyrian king גְּלָה (gᵉlâh, H1541) — {to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… יְתִב (yᵉthib, H3488) — to sit or dwell הִמּוֹ (himmôw, H1994) — they קִרְיָא (qiryâʼ, H7149) — {building; a city} שׇׁמְרַיִן (Shomrayin, H8115) — Shomrain, a place in Palestine עֲבַר (ʻăbar, H5675) — {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… נְהַר (nᵉhar, H5103) — a river, especially the Euphrates כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, H3706) — thus (only in the formula 'and so forth')
Open source ↗דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this פַּרְשֶׁגֶן (parshegen, H6573) — {a transcript} אִגְּרָא (ʼiggᵉrâʼ, H104) — an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman) דִּי (dîy, H1768) — that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial… שְׁלַח (shᵉlach, H7972) — {to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)} עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא (ʼArtachshashtâʼ, H783) — Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king עֲבַד (ʻăbad, H5649) — a servant אֱנָשׁ (ʼĕnâsh, H606) — a man עֲבַר (ʻăbar, H5675) — {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… נְהַר (nᵉhar, H5103) — a river, especially the Euphrates כְּעֶנֶת (kᵉʻeneth, H3706) — thus (only in the formula 'and so forth')
Open source ↗הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1934) — to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other… יְדַע (yᵉdaʻ, H3046) — {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king יְהוּדָאִי (Yᵉhûwdâʼîy, H3062) — a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew דִּי (dîy, H1768) — that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial… סְלִק (çᵉliq, H5559) — to ascend מִן (min, H4481) — {properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of} לְוָת (lᵉvâth, H3890) — properly, adhesion, i.e. (as preposition) with עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… אָתָה (ʼâthâh, H858) — {to arrive} יְרוּשָׁלֵם (Yᵉrûwshâlêm, H3390) — {Jerusalem} בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build מָרָד (mârâd, H4779) — rebellious בִּאוּשׁ (biʼûwsh, H873) — wicked
Open source ↗יְדַע (yᵉdaʻ, H3046) — {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1934) — to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other… כְּעַן (kᵉʻan, H3705) — now מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king הֵן (hên, H2006) — lo! also there(-fore), (un-) less, whether, but, if דֵּךְ (dêk, H1791) — this קִרְיָא (qiryâʼ, H7149) — {building; a city} בְּנָא (bᵉnâʼ, H1124) — to build שׁוּר (shûwr, H7792) — {a wall (as going about)} כְּלַל (kᵉlal, H3635) — to complete לָא (lâʼ, H3809) — {not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no;} נְתַן (nᵉthan, H5415) — give מִדָּה (middâh, H4061) — tribute in money בְּלוֹ (bᵉlôw, H1093) — excise (on articles consumed)
Open source ↗כְּעַן (kᵉʻan, H3705) — now קְבֵל (qᵉbêl, H6903) — (adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since,… כֹּל (kôl, H3606) — {properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… דִּי (dîy, H1768) — that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial… מְלַח (mᵉlach, H4415) — to eat salt, i.e. (generally) subsist מְלַח (mᵉlach, H4416) — salt הֵיכַל (hêykal, H1965) — {a large public building, such as a palace or temple} לָא (lâʼ, H3809) — {not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no;} אֲרַךְ (ʼărak, H749) — to suit חֲזָא (chăzâʼ, H2370) — to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e. seem) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4430) — a king עַרְוָה (ʻarvâh, H6173) — nakedness, i.e. (figuratively) impoverishment עַל (ʻal, H5922) — {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… דֵּן (dên, H1836) — this
Open source ↗Cross-references
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In all, there were 5,400 gold and silver articles. Sheshbazzar brought all these along when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.
So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
And a proclamation was issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem.
He had begun the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him.
So the exiles did as proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation,
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.