Ezra 4 4

Ezra 4:4 kjv

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

Ezra 4:4 nkjv

Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building,

Ezra 4:4 niv

Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.

Ezra 4:4 esv

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build

Ezra 4:4 nlt

Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work.

Ezra 4 verses

Ezra 4 4 Meaning

Ezra 4:4 describes how the adversaries, referred to as "the people of the land," actively worked to undermine the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. They used psychological warfare, specifically discouraging the returning Jewish exiles and instilling fear in them, aiming to halt their sacred work. This verse marks the beginning of prolonged and effective opposition that eventually caused a cessation of the temple construction for a significant period.

Ezra 4 4 Context

Ezra chapter 4 describes the long period of opposition faced by the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple following Cyrus’s decree. The immediate context of verse 4 is the response to the Jewish leaders' refusal (Ezra 4:3) to allow "the people of the land" (a mixed population, largely Samaritans, settled in the land by Assyrian and Babylonian kings) to participate in the rebuilding. The "people of the land" initially feigned a desire to help, claiming shared worship of God. However, their syncretistic beliefs were incompatible with the pure Yahwistic worship envisioned for the rebuilt temple. Their exclusion led to their hostility and active sabotage, commencing with the psychological tactics detailed in this verse. This opposition, initiated in the time of Cyrus, eventually escalated and continued through the reigns of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) and Artaxerxes, ultimately leading to the temple building being halted until the second year of Darius.

Ezra 4 4 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְהִי - wāyyəhî): A common Hebrew narrative conjunction, indicating a temporal sequence or result. It marks the consequence of the rejection mentioned in Ezra 4:3, signifying a turning point towards active opposition.
• the people of the land (עַם הָאָרֶץ - ʽam hāʼāreṣ): This phrase typically refers to the common people of a land. Here, in the post-exilic context, it specifically denotes the inhabitants of the territories of Judah and Samaria who were not part of the returned Jewish exiles. They were a mixed population, likely descendants of earlier foreign settlers intermarrying with the remnant of Israelites who remained in the land. They are distinct from the pure Jewish line and practice a syncretistic religion, hence their exclusion from the temple rebuilding. They represent the pervasive opposition to true, unadulterated worship of Yahweh.
• discouraged (רָפוּ יְדֵי - rāpū yədê): Literally "weakened the hands of." This is a Hebrew idiom meaning to cause someone to lose courage, enthusiasm, or strength for a task. It implies deliberate action to cause despair and hinder progress by undermining morale.
• the people of Judah (עַם יְהוּדָה - ʽam yəhūḏāh): Refers to the returned exiles, predominantly from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who formed the core community tasked with rebuilding the temple. They are God's chosen remnant, carrying out His will.
• and made them afraid (וּלְהַבְהִילָם - ūləhabhîlām): From the verb בָּהַל (bāhal), in the Hiphil causative stem, meaning "to cause to hurry, disturb, terrify, dismay." This indicates active terrorizing or instilling a sense of panic and intimidation, using threats, rumors, and possibly legal pressure to stop the work.
• to build (לִבְנוֹת - liḇnôth): The specific act of rebuilding the Temple, a divine mandate from God to His people. This simple action had profound spiritual and national significance.

Words-group analysis

• the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah: Highlights the intentional and direct nature of the opposition. It was a targeted psychological assault on the morale and determination of the returning exiles. The "people of the land" shifted from feigned cooperation to open antagonism once their syncretistic participation was rejected.
• made them afraid to build: Emphasizes the potent combination of demoralization and intimidation used. Their tactics were designed not just to slow progress, but to entirely halt the divinely appointed work, primarily through fear and the threat of harm or severe repercussions. This points to spiritual warfare where adversaries seek to use fear to prevent God's will from being done.

Ezra 4 4 Bonus section

The extended nature of the opposition mentioned here is crucial. This single verse summarizes a campaign of resistance that spanned several decades, influencing the reigns of multiple Persian kings. This protracted struggle (further detailed in Ezra 4:5-24) meant the temple lay unfinished for about sixteen years until the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah. This long delay illustrates how even subtle, psychological opposition, if not firmly resisted or if allowed to fester, can significantly hinder God's purposes. The enemy's goal was to make the task seem impossible or too dangerous, preying on human weariness and fear. The choice of "weakened hands" (rāpū yədê) is particularly poignant as it directly contrasts with later divine exhortations to "strengthen your hands" in prophetic books (e.g., Zech 8:9).

Ezra 4 4 Commentary

Ezra 4:4 serves as a stark reminder that God's work often faces significant opposition, especially when it involves restoration, purity, or distinctness for His people. The "people of the land" represent those who resist God's kingdom agenda, not always through direct military conflict but often through subtle and insidious means—psychological warfare, rumor, and legal manipulation. Their methods—discouragement and instilling fear—are timeless tactics of spiritual adversaries designed to paralyze believers and prevent the fulfillment of divine purposes. The verse underscores the importance of resilience and steadfast faith in the face of such adversity, although in this instance, the opposition proved effective for a period. It highlights the constant tension between those committed to God's pure worship and those who prefer syncretism or actively oppose righteousness.

Examples:

• Like a young person seeking to live a godly life who faces ridicule and social isolation from former friends, causing them to doubt their commitment.
• A church undertaking a new evangelistic outreach that encounters apathy or hostility from the surrounding community, making the members hesitant to continue.
• An individual trying to break free from a long-standing sin finds themselves continually bombarded by temptation and discouraging thoughts, making them fearful of failure.