Bible Commentaries
Ezra 4

Introduction

Overview

Ezra 4:1, The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, endeavour to hinder it; Ezra 4:7, Their letter to Artaxerxes; Ezra 4:17, The answer and decree of Artaxerxes; Ezra 4:23, The building is hindered.

Verse 1

the adversaries: These were the Samaritans, the descendants of the various nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants captive. Ezra 7:9, 1 Kings 5:4, 1 Kings 5:5, 1 Chronicles 22:9, 1 Chronicles 22:10, Nehemiah 4:1-11, Daniel 9:25, 1 Corinthians 16:9

children of the captivity: Heb. sons of the transportation, Ezra 1:11, *marg. Ezra 6:16, Ezra 6:19, Ezra 6:20, Ezra 10:7, Ezra 10:16, Daniel 5:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 17:41 - unto this day Ezra 4:10 - And the rest Nehemiah 6:9 - Their hands Zechariah 1:19 - scattered Matthew 2:8 - that Luke 9:52 - the Samaritans John 4:9 - for

Verse 2

Zerubbabel: Ezra 1:5, Ezra 2:2, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 3:12

Let us: Proverbs 26:23-26, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 2:4, 2 Timothy 3:8, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:2

we do: 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:27-33, 2 Kings 17:41

Esarhaddon: Ezra 4:10, Asnappar, 2 Kings 19:37

Assur: Genesis 10:11, Psalms 73:8, Isaiah 37:37, Assyria, Hosea 14:3, Asshur

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:22 - the Kenite Joshua 22:25 - ye have 1 Chronicles 1:17 - Asshur Nehemiah 12:1 - Zerubbabel Isaiah 7:8 - within Isaiah 37:38 - Esarhaddon Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim Haggai 1:1 - unto Matthew 2:8 - that John 4:22 - ye know

Verse 3

Ye have nothing: Nehemiah 2:20, John 4:22, John 4:23, Acts 8:21, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:5, 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10

king Cyrus: Ezra 1:1-3, Ezra 6:3-5, 2 Chronicles 36:22, 2 Chronicles 36:23, Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 45:4, Matthew 10:16

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:25 - ye have Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua Ezra 6:14 - And the elders Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus 2 Corinthians 6:15 - or Ephesians 2:12 - aliens

Verse 4

weakened: Ezra 3:3, Nehemiah 6:9, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Jeremiah 38:4

troubled: Nehemiah 4:7, Nehemiah 4:8, Nehemiah 4:11

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 4:1 - his hands Nehemiah 2:10 - there was come Daniel 10:13 - the prince Zechariah 1:19 - scattered

Verse 5

hired: Psalms 2:1, Psalms 2:2, Nahum 1:11, Acts 24:1-27

Darius: Ezra 4:24, Ezra 5:5-17, Ezra 6:1-18

Reciprocal: Daniel 8:3 - one Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus Daniel 11:2 - three

Verse 6

am 3475, bc 529

Ahasuerus: Heb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.

wrote: Matthew 27:37, Acts 24:5-9, Acts 24:13, Acts 25:7, Revelation 12:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:21 - Sitnah Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus Daniel 11:2 - three

Verse 7

am 3482, bc 522

Artaxerxes: This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi, who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses, for seven months, feigning himself to be Smerdis, brother of Cambyses: he is called Oropoestus by Justin, Smerdis by Herodotus, Mardus by AEschylus, and Sphendatates by Ctesias.

Bishlam: or, in peace

companions: Heb. societies, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 5:6

the Syrian tongue: That is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the Ezra 4:8, of this chapter, to Ezra 7:27, the original is not Hebrew, but Chaldee, in those parts which consist of letters, decrees, etc., originally written in that language. 2 Kings 18:26, Isaiah 36:11, Daniel 2:4

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote Ezra 8:36 - lieutenants Jeremiah 29:25 - Because Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim Zechariah 1:19 - scattered

Verse 8

scribe: or, secretary, Ezra 4:9, 2 Samuel 8:17, 2 Samuel 20:25, 2 Kings 18:18

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote Ezra 2:2 - Rehum Ezra 4:7 - the Syrian tongue Ezra 4:23 - Rehum

Verse 9

companions: Chal, societies

the Dinaites: 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:30, 2 Kings 17:31

Apharsathchites: Ezra 5:6, Ezra 6:6, Apharsachites

Susanchites: Esther 1:2, Esther 2:3, Daniel 8:2

Elamites: Genesis 10:22, Isaiah 21:2, Jeremiah 25:25, Jeremiah 49:34, Ezekiel 32:24, Acts 2:9

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:7 - companions Ezra 4:8 - scribe Ezra 4:17 - companions Ezra 4:23 - Rehum Ezra 6:13 - Tatnai Nehemiah 4:2 - the army Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian

Verse 10

And the rest: Ezra 4:1, 2 Kings 17:24-41

noble Asnapper: Romans 13:7

at such a time: Chal, Cheeneth, Ezra 4:11, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 7:12

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:32 - in the cities Ezra 4:2 - Esarhaddon Nehemiah 4:2 - the army Isaiah 8:7 - strong Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian

Verse 11

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote Ezra 3:3 - for fear Ezra 4:10 - at such a time Ezra 4:17 - at such a time Ezra 5:6 - copy Ezra 7:11 - the copy Ezra 7:12 - unto Ezra

Verse 12

rebellious: Ezra 4:15, Ezra 4:19, 2 Kings 18:20, 2 Kings 24:1, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Jeremiah 52:3, Ezekiel 17:12-21, Luke 23:2-5, Acts 24:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 1 Peter 2:13-15

bad city: Psalms 48:1, Psalms 48:2, Isaiah 1:21-23, Luke 13:34

set up: or, finished, Nehemiah 1:3, Daniel 9:25

joined: Chal, sewed together

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:6 - that thou and Esther 3:8 - their laws Jeremiah 38:4 - thus Daniel 3:8 - and accused Micah 7:11 - shall Mark 12:14 - is it John 18:35 - Amos I Acts 16:20 - being Acts 17:7 - and these

Verse 13

if this city: Nehemiah 5:4, Psalms 52:2, Psalms 119:69

pay: Chal, give

toll: Ezra 7:24, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 17:25, Romans 13:6, Romans 13:7

revenue: or, strength

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:22 - why should Nehemiah 5:14 - the bread Nehemiah 9:37 - it yieldeth Matthew 22:17 - is Mark 12:14 - is it Luke 20:22 - General

Verse 14

have maintenance: etc. Chal, are salted with the salt of the palace, Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life - Ecclesiastes 39:26, or verse 31 hence, by a very natural figure, salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed, says Mr. Parkhurst, that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies, "I eat such a one's salt," meaning, I am fed by him. Salt was also, as it still is, among eastern nations, a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence, to eat a man's salt, is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.

and it was: Ezekiel 33:31, John 12:5, John 12:6, John 19:12-15

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:14 - the bread

Verse 15

made: within the same, Chal, in the midst thereof

this city: Ezra 4:12, Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 6:6, Esther 3:5-8, Daniel 6:4-13, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:7

moved: Chal

for which: 2 Kings 24:20, 2 Kings 25:1, 2 Kings 25:4, Jeremiah 52:3-34

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:19 - search Ezra 5:17 - let there be Ezra 6:1 - and search Proverbs 25:2 - the honour Acts 25:7 - and laid

Verse 16

thou shalt have: Ezra 4:20, 2 Samuel 8:3, 1 Kings 4:24

Reciprocal: Ezra 6:8 - the king's Ezra 7:21 - beyond the river Nehemiah 2:19 - will ye rebel

Verse 17

companions: Chal, societies, Ezra 4:7, Ezra 4:9

Peace: Ezra 5:7, Ezra 7:12, Luke 10:5, Acts 23:26, Romans 1:7

at such a time: Ezra 4:10, Ezra 4:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:23 - Peace Ezra 4:23 - Rehum Daniel 4:1 - Peace Daniel 6:25 - Peace Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim

Verse 19

I commanded: Chal, by me a decree is set

search: Ezra 4:15, Ezra 5:17, Ezra 6:1, Ezra 6:2, Deuteronomy 13:14, Proverbs 25:2

and it is found: 2 Kings 18:7, 2 Kings 24:20, Ezekiel 17:13-19

made insurrection: Chal, lifted up itself

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:12 - rebellious Ezra 4:21 - Give ye Luke 20:22 - General

Verse 20

mighty kings: 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 4:24, 1 Chronicles 18:3, Psalms 72:8

beyond: Ezra 4:16, Genesis 15:18, Joshua 1:3, Joshua 1:4

toll: 1 Chronicles 18:6, 1 Chronicles 18:13, 1 Chronicles 19:19, 2 Chronicles 9:14, 2 Chronicles 9:23, 2 Chronicles 9:24, 2 Chronicles 17:11, 2 Chronicles 26:7, 2 Chronicles 26:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:6 - kings Numbers 24:7 - his king Deuteronomy 15:6 - thou shalt reign Deuteronomy 19:8 - General 1 Chronicles 17:8 - made thee Ezra 6:8 - the king's Ezra 7:21 - beyond the river Nehemiah 5:4 - the king's tribute Lamentations 1:1 - great Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst Ezekiel 19:11 - she had Romans 13:6 - pay

Verse 21

Give ye: etc. Chal, Make a decree, Ezra 4:19

Reciprocal: Ezra 6:8 - hindered

Verse 22

why should: Ezra 4:13, Esther 3:8, Esther 3:9, Esther 7:3, Esther 7:4

Reciprocal: Daniel 6:2 - and the

Verse 23

Rehum: Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17

they went up: Proverbs 4:16, Micah 2:1, Romans 3:15

force: Chal, arm

Reciprocal: Ezra 5:6 - copy Ezra 6:8 - hindered Ezra 6:13 - Tatnai Haggai 1:2 - This

Verse 24

So: Nehemiah 6:3, Nehemiah 6:9, Job 20:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:18

Darius: This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis: he ascended the throne of Persia, am 3483, bc 521, and reigned 36 years. Ezra 5:5, Ezra 6:1, Haggai 1:15

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:5 - Darius Ezra 6:14 - Cyrus Daniel 9:25 - from Daniel 10:13 - the prince Haggai 1:2 - This Haggai 2:15 - from before Zechariah 1:1 - the eighth