Ezra 4 11

Ezra 4:11 kjv

This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

Ezra 4:11 nkjv

(This is a copy of the letter that they sent him) To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River, and so forth:

Ezra 4:11 niv

(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants in Trans-Euphrates:

Ezra 4:11 esv

(This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) "To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now

Ezra 4:11 nlt

This is a copy of their letter: "To King Artaxerxes, from your loyal subjects in the province west of the Euphrates River.

Ezra 4 verses

Ezra 4 11 Meaning

Ezra 4:11 introduces the beginning of a letter sent by adversaries to King Artaxerxes. It identifies the formal elements of the letter: its nature as a "copy," the senders ("your servants, the people of Trans-Euphrates"), and the recipient (King Artaxerxes). This verse formally sets the stage for the substance of the accusation leveled against the Jewish people in Jerusalem concerning their rebuilding efforts. It serves as the official opening to a petition of opposition.

Ezra 4 11 Context

Ezra chapter 4 describes the ongoing opposition faced by the returning Jewish exiles as they attempted to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after their return from Babylonian captivity. While chapters 1-3 chronologically describe the initial return and foundation laying during the reign of Cyrus, Ezra 4 introduces a complex chronological challenge. Verses 1-5 refer to opposition during the reign of Cyrus and Cambyses, primarily focused on the temple. However, verses 6-23 detail opposition and the cessation of work under later Persian kings, specifically Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) and Artaxerxes I. Ezra 4:11 is part of this latter section (Ezr 4:7-23), which describes an interpolated narrative of opposition, focusing on the rebuilding of the city walls rather than solely the temple, though the overarching theme remains the hindrance of Jewish restoration. This letter is sent during the reign of Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus, 465-424 BC), long after the initial temple foundation was laid, illustrating a sustained history of adversarial resistance to Jewish self-governance and rebuilding efforts in Judea. The letter's primary aim, as evidenced by its content, is to present the rebuilding efforts as a rebellious act against the Persian Empire, thereby coercing the king to stop the work.

Ezra 4 11 Word analysis

• This (דְּנָה - dənâ): An Aramaic demonstrative pronoun, similar to "behold" or "this one." It indicates that what follows is the exact textual content. Its presence signifies the importance of the document that is about to be presented.
• is the copy (פַּרְשֶׁגֶן - parshegen): This Aramaic word means "copy," "transcript," or "duplicate." It implies that the document provided to the reader (or for transcription into the biblical text) is not the original letter itself, but a verified reproduction. This term is often found in legal or administrative contexts, affirming authenticity and official nature. It assures the reader that the forthcoming content is a true representation of the adversaries' petition.
• of the letter (אִגַּרְתָּא - igartā): A common Aramaic term for "letter" or "epistle." It signifies a formal written communication, distinguishing it from a casual note. Its use highlights the official, governmental context of the dispute.
• that they sent (דִּי שְׁלַחוּ - dî šəlaḥû): "That" (דִּי - dî) is an Aramaic relative pronoun, connecting the copy to its origin. "They sent" (שְׁלַחוּ - šəlaḥû) indicates the action undertaken by multiple senders, referring collectively to the "people of Trans-Euphrates" mentioned later. This emphasizes the organized and unified nature of the opposition.
• to Artaxerxes (עַל־אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתָּא - ‘al-Artahšašṯā): "To" (עַל - ‘al) is an Aramaic preposition indicating direction or purpose. Artaxerxes (Artaxerxes I Longimanus) was a powerful king of the Persian Empire (reigned 465-424 BC). His name signifies "He whose reign is through Arta (Truth)." Addressing the king directly signifies the highest level of administrative appeal in the empire.
• the king (מַלְכָּא - malkā): The Aramaic word for "king," signifying the ultimate authority and sovereign power to whom the petition is addressed. This reiterates the gravity of the communication and the official channel through which it traveled.
• Your servants (עַבְדָּיִךְ - ʿaḇdāyiḵ): "Your" (־ךְ - -ayiḵ suffix) refers directly to the king, and "servants" (עַבְדָּיִךְ - ʿaḇdāyiḵ) is a customary deferential self-identification by petitioners addressing a monarch. It conveys respect, submission, and humility, even as the "servants" were attempting to manipulate royal power for their own ends against another group of the king's subjects. It implies loyalty, a trait the accusers are falsely projecting onto themselves and implicitly denying to the Judeans.
• the people of Trans-Euphrates (אֱנָשׁ עֲבַר־נַהֲרָא - ’ĕnāš ‘aḇar-nahărā): "The people" (’ĕnāš) refers to the inhabitants or citizens. "Trans-Euphrates" (‘aḇar-nahărā, literally "Beyond the River") refers to the administrative satrapy or province in the Persian Empire located west of the Euphrates River, which included Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah. This term identifies the collective source of the letter, revealing the unified and widespread nature of the opposition, comprising local Persian officials and other regional inhabitants who viewed the Judeans as a threat to their political or economic interests.
• Greeting (שְׁלָם - šəlām): This Aramaic word, cognate with Hebrew shalom, means "peace," "well-being," or "prosperity." It functions as a standard, respectful salutation at the beginning of a letter, invoking the king's welfare and indicating the formal commencement of the communication. It acts as a polite formality before presenting the accusations.

Word-group analysis

• "This is the copy of the letter that they sent": This phrase introduces the official, verified nature of the document. It emphasizes that the reader is about to engage with a formal, authentic government record of a specific communication. It lends a sense of authoritative reportage to the biblical narrative.
• "To Artaxerxes the king": This clear identification of the addressee emphasizes the high stakes involved. The petitioners are appealing to the highest possible human authority, demonstrating their conviction that only royal decree could achieve their objective of halting the building project. It also subtly highlights the vastness of the Persian Empire's administrative reach.
• "Your servants, the people of Trans-Euphrates": This combined phrase identifies the petitioners while simultaneously establishing their professed loyalty and position within the imperial administration. "Your servants" sets a tone of subservience and humility, designed to garner royal favor, while "the people of Trans-Euphrates" highlights their collective regional authority and concern, painting their opposition not as mere local squabble but as a united voice of a significant imperial province.

Ezra 4 11 Bonus section

The Aramaic section of Ezra (4:8-6:18 and 7:12-26) comprises significant administrative and official documents. Ezra 4:11 is the formal opening of such a document. This usage of Aramaic highlights its status as the lingua franca of administration across the Persian Empire, reinforcing the historical authenticity of these biblical records. The opponents' strategy of using a formal letter addressed to the highest authority showcases a sophisticated, legalistic, and political maneuver, rather than a mere local skirmish. It reflects a clear understanding of the Persian legal and administrative apparatus and their intent to utilize imperial power to crush the revival in Judah. This act also reveals a deeper spiritual conflict; whenever God's people set about His work, especially rebuilding something spiritual (like a temple, a community, or a relationship with God), opposition will often rise through organized, authoritative, and sometimes deceptive means. The appeal to the king against Jerusalem was not merely about walls or taxes, but about stifling a people's renewed covenant identity and their connection to their God-given destiny.

Ezra 4 11 Commentary

Ezra 4:11 acts as the formal preface to the infamous letter of accusation against the Jews in Jerusalem, seeking to stop their building activities. The specific Aramaic vocabulary like "parshegen" (copy) underscores its nature as a bureaucratic and official document within the Persian imperial system. The senders, identified as "the people of Trans-Euphrates," are high-ranking regional officials and residents from a large and strategically important satrapy of the empire. By styling themselves as "your servants" to King Artaxerxes, they adopt a deferential posture, cloaking their true adversarial intentions with expressions of loyalty and concern for the king's interests. This initial verse, though brief, sets the scene for the political intrigue and religious hostility that consistently threatened God's people in the post-exilic period, where worldly power structures were often manipulated to impede divine purposes. It exemplifies how adversaries weaponize bureaucratic processes and misrepresent faithful labor as rebellion against established authority, demanding a firm and discerning response from leadership.