Ezra 4 8

Ezra 4:8 kjv

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

Ezra 4:8 nkjv

Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:

Ezra 4:8 niv

Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

Ezra 4:8 esv

Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

Ezra 4:8 nlt

Rehum the governor and Shimshai the court secretary wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem.

Ezra 4 verses

Ezra 4 8 Meaning

Ezra 4:8 describes the specific individuals who initiated official opposition against the Jewish community rebuilding Jerusalem and its Temple during the post-exilic period. Rehum, a high-ranking official, and Shimshai, a skilled scribe, collaboratively drafted a formal, adversarial letter directed to the Persian King Artaxerxes, setting in motion a crucial bureaucratic effort to halt the restoration work in Jerusalem. This verse pinpoints the authors and recipients of the significant communication that led to a temporary cessation of the building project, highlighting the systematic nature of the resistance.

Ezra 4 8 Context

Ezra chapter 4 describes the ongoing opposition faced by the Jewish exiles who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem under the decrees of Persian kings Cyrus and Darius to rebuild the Temple. Following their initial enthusiasm, the adversaries—local inhabitants, specifically "people of the land" (often Samaritans)—began to harass and discourage the builders (Ezr 4:1-5). Unable to stop the work by direct intimidation, these opponents shifted their strategy to political and bureaucratic obstruction. Verses 6-23 recount several specific instances of letters written to successive Persian kings (Ahasuerus/Xerxes, Artaxerxes) with the aim of discrediting the Jews and halting the reconstruction. Ezra 4:8 focuses on one such crucial letter sent to King Artaxerxes, authored by Rehum and Shimshai, which was effective in achieving its nefarious goal of stopping the building work for a significant period. Historically, Artaxerxes I Longimanus reigned from 465-424 BC. The events described here likely occurred after the initial rebuilding effort under Cyrus and Darius (4:1-5 describes efforts during Cyrus/Ahasuerus/Artaxerxes, 4:6 is Ahasuerus, and 4:7-23 focuses on Artaxerxes), demonstrating persistent opposition over decades. The use of Aramaic for this section (Ezr 4:8 - 6:18, and 7:12-26) signifies its origin as official documents and correspondence, underscoring the legal and administrative nature of the conflict.

Ezra 4 8 Word analysis

• Rehum (רְחוּם - Rᵉḥûm): A proper name, likely meaning "compassionate" or "pity." Irony exists in the name of a man orchestrating opposition to the vulnerable returned exiles. He held an influential position.
• the commander (בְּעֵל־טְעֵם - bᵉ‘ēl-ṭᵉ‘ēm): Aramaic term. Literally "master of counsel" or "lord of taste/judgment." This title indicates a high-ranking Persian official, perhaps a provincial commissioner, magistrate, or a senior administrator with judicial and administrative authority in the Trans-Euphrates province. He was empowered to issue official decrees or reports to the king, highlighting his significant political standing. His role implies a capacity to officially inquire and act.
• and Shimshai (וְשִׁמְשַׁי - wᵉShimshai): Another proper name.
• the scribe (סָפְרָא - sofrā’): Aramaic for "scribe." This was not just a simple copyist but a skilled secretary, likely versed in Aramaic (the lingua franca of the Persian Empire), drafting official documents, dispatches, and legal petitions. His role implies expertise in legal and administrative language, crucial for crafting an effective, persuasive, and legally sound accusation against Jerusalem. The precision of the "scribe" points to the professional nature of the attack.
• wrote (כְּתַבּוּ - kᵉṯabbu): Aramaic, plural verb "they wrote." It emphasizes that both Rehum and Shimshai were jointly involved in the composition of the letter, suggesting a collaborative effort where Rehum provided the official authority and strategic direction, and Shimshai executed the actual drafting with legal acumen. This joint action makes the opposition formidable.
• a letter (אֶגַּרְתָּא - ʾeggartā’): Aramaic for "letter," specifically an official missive or dispatch. It denotes a formal written communication, indicating that the opposition was not casual but a calculated, bureaucratic attack using the established administrative channels of the Persian Empire. This wasn't merely gossip but a formal legal challenge.
• against Jerusalem (עַל־יְרוּשְׁלֶם - ʿal-Yᵉrûshᵉlem): Aramaic phrase. While 'al can mean "concerning" or "on behalf of," in this context, "against" is the unequivocal intent, reflecting direct antagonism. This specifies the target of their malicious communication, indicating that their goal was to halt the rebuilding of the city itself, which implicitly included the Temple (Ezr 4:1-5). This direct opposition underscores their deep-seated animosity toward the re-establishment of Jewish life and autonomy.
• to King Artaxerxes (לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא מַלְכָּא - lᵉʾartaḥshastᵉʾ malkāʾ): Aramaic for "to King Artaxerxes." The designation of the king by his formal title ("malkāʾ") reinforces the official nature of the letter and the high-level appeal. It demonstrates the reach of their influence and the strategic choice of the highest authority to ensure their objective was met.
• as follows (כְּנַא - kᵉnaʾ): Aramaic for "thus," "so," or "as." This introduces the direct quotation of the letter's content, which unfolds in the subsequent verses (Ezr 4:9-16). It serves as a transition, signalling that the precise wording and arguments of their petition are about to be revealed, emphasizing the official record and transparency of their false accusation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe": This pairing signifies a strategic alliance of political power (Rehum's official authority) and administrative skill (Shimshai's writing expertise). They represented a formidable, well-resourced opposition, indicating the official capacity and the legal competence of the adversaries. Their positions meant they could effectively present a case that appeared legitimate to the Persian court.
• "wrote a letter against Jerusalem": This phrase captures the malicious intent and method. It wasn't just idle talk but a documented, official accusation specifically targeting the restoration of Jerusalem. The word "against" explicitly denotes hostility and an aim to obstruct, while "letter" indicates a formal legal process.
• "to King Artaxerxes as follows": This sets the high-level judicial context for the forthcoming detailed accusations. It signifies that the opposition bypassed regional governors (or worked through them) to appeal directly to the supreme imperial authority, expecting a royal decree to achieve their ends. "As follows" points to the imminent disclosure of their persuasive arguments which involved exaggerations and falsehoods to sway the king. This directly reflects an attempt to use legitimate channels for illegitimate, hostile purposes.

Ezra 4 8 Bonus section

The Persian administrative system, as evidenced here, was highly structured, employing sophisticated written communication to manage its vast empire. Letters, reports, and decrees (like the ʾeggartā’ in this verse) were crucial tools of governance. The adversaries cleverly exploited this system, demonstrating a deep understanding of its workings and how to manipulate its channels for their own ends. This political maneuvering meant that the struggle for Jerusalem's rebuilding was not just physical or spiritual but also deeply administrative and legal, involving detailed appeals and counter-appeals at the highest imperial levels. The Aramaic portion of Ezra, which includes this verse, often contains such legal and administrative documents, lending historical authenticity to the narrative and showcasing the importance of written records in Persian rule. The delay in rebuilding (lasting until the second year of Darius' reign, a considerable period if this Artaxerxes is Artaxerxes I) serves as a stark reminder of the prolonged nature of opposition to God's work, often requiring resilience, re-engagement with prophecy (like Haggai and Zechariah), and renewed divine favor.

Ezra 4 8 Commentary

Ezra 4:8 introduces a pivotal moment of structured opposition to the Jewish restoration project in Jerusalem. The combined authority of "Rehum the commander" and the bureaucratic expertise of "Shimshai the scribe" enabled them to leverage the Persian administrative system against the returning exiles. This wasn't spontaneous popular outcry but a carefully orchestrated political campaign, evidenced by their official capacities and the drafting of a formal letter (ʾeggartā’). The "against Jerusalem" highlights the targeted nature of their antagonism, rooted in a perceived threat to their local dominance or economic interests, masking their enmity with administrative concerns. Their aim was to appeal to the highest imperial authority, King Artaxerxes, demonstrating a sophisticated strategy of obstruction. This verse sets the stage for the specific accusations that follow, revealing how official channels could be perverted to hinder God's purposes, requiring divine intervention or subsequent faithful leaders to overcome such politically sanctioned resistance.