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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 4:8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/15_Ezr_04_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:8 - Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm" title="Ezra 4:7">◄</a> Ezra 4:8 <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm" title="Ezra 4:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezra/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Rehum the governor and Shimshai the court secretary wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the [Persian] commander [of the Samaritans] and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote another letter against [the people of] Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Also Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the secretary of the province, wrote the following letter to Emperor Artaxerxes about Jerusalem: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Governor Rehum and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artachshasta the king as follows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Rehum counselor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Rehum, lord of judgment, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one epistle against Jerusalem to Arthasatha the king, thus:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe wrote a letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Rehum, the commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote the following letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artakhshisht the king according to custom;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Arkhum, Master Taster, and Shemshi, the Scribe, wrote this letter to Jerusalem to Artakhshesht the King, according to custom.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe wrote an epistle against Jerusalem to King Arthasastha, <i>saying,</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/4-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=867" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7348.htm" title="7348: rə·ḥūm (N-proper-ms) -- A form of rachuwm; Rechum, the name of a Persian and of three Israelites.">Rehum</a> <a href="/hebrew/1169.htm" title="1169: bə·‘êl- (N-msc) -- Owner, lord. (Aramaic) corresponding to ba'al.">the commander</a> <a href="/hebrew/2942.htm" title="2942: ṭə·‘êm (N-ms) -- Taste, judgment, command. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8124.htm" title="8124: wə·šim·šay (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A scribe who opposed Isr. (Aramaic) from shemesh; sunny; Shimshai, a Samaritan.">and Shimshai</a> <a href="/hebrew/5613.htm" title="5613: sā·p̄ə·rā (N-msd) -- A secretary, scribe. (Aramaic) from the same as cphar; a scribe (secular or sacred).">the scribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/3790.htm" title="3790: kə·ṯa·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3mp) -- To write. (Aramaic) corresponding to kathab.">wrote</a> <a href="/hebrew/2298.htm" title="2298: ḥă·ḏāh (Number-fs) -- One. (Aramaic) corresponding to chad; as card. One; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once.">the</a> <a href="/hebrew/104.htm" title="104: ’ig·gə·rāh (N-fs) -- A letter. (Aramaic) of Persian origin; an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman).">letter</a> <a href="/hebrew/5922.htm" title="5922: ‘al- (Prep) -- Upon, over, above. (Aramaic) corresponding to al.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3390.htm" title="3390: yə·rū·šə·lem (N-proper-fs) -- The capital city of all Isr. (Chald).">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kā (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">to King</a> <a href="/hebrew/783.htm" title="783: lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Or Artachshasht; or by permutation Artachshactu; of foreign origin; Artachshasta, a title of several Persian kings.">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3660.htm" title="3660: kə·nê·mā (Adv) -- Accordingly, as follows. (Aramaic) corresponding to kmow; so or thus.">as follows:</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a></span><br />But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1-3</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Nehemiah 6:1-9</a></span><br />When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. / So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-9</a></span><br />Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” / So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8-11</a></span><br />Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” / So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">2 Kings 17:24-33</a></span><br />Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-34.htm">2 Kings 17:34-41</a></span><br />To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. / For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a></span><br />In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-2.htm">Haggai 1:2-4</a></span><br />that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” / Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: / “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6-10</a></span><br />So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. / What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” / Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-18.htm">Acts 4:18-21</a></span><br />Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-27.htm">Acts 5:27-29</a></span><br />They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Acts 6:9-14</a></span><br />But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, / but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. / Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-12</a></span><br />They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Acts 17:5-9</a></span><br />The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:</p><p class="hdg">scribe.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Ezra 4:9</a></b></br> Then <i>wrote</i> Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, <i>and</i> the Elamites,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/8-17.htm">2 Samuel 8:17</a></b></br> And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, <i>were</i> the priests; and Seraiah <i>was</i> the scribe;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-25.htm">2 Samuel 20:25</a></b></br> And Sheva <i>was</i> scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar <i>were</i> the priests:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Chancellor</a> <a href="/ezra/4-3.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-7.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-11.htm">Commanding</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/22-3.htm">Counsellor</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-14.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-12.htm">Officer</a> <a href="/ezra/2-2.htm">Rehum</a> <a href="/ezra/1-8.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-20.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-20.htm">Secretary</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Shimshai</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Shim'shai</a> <a href="/ezra/1-10.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Written</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Chancellor</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Commander</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Commanding</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Counsellor</a> <a href="/ezra/5-7.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/ezra/4-12.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Officer</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Rehum</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Secretary</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Shimshai</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Shim'shai</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Written</a> <a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">endeavor to hinder it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Their letter to Artaxerxes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">The answer and decree of Artaxerxes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">The building is hindered</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe</b><br>Rehum and Shimshai are identified as officials in the Persian administration. Rehum, likely a high-ranking officer, and Shimshai, a scribe, represent the bureaucratic structure of the Persian Empire, which was known for its efficient administration. Their roles suggest they had significant influence and authority in the region. The mention of these officials highlights the organized opposition faced by the Jewish people during the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This opposition is a recurring theme in the post-exilic period, as seen in other parts of Ezra and Nehemiah.<p><b>wrote the letter against Jerusalem</b><br>The act of writing a letter indicates the formal and legal approach taken by the adversaries of the Jews. This reflects the Persian Empire's reliance on written communication and decrees to manage its vast territories. The letter's purpose was to halt the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, which the local officials viewed as a threat to their power and influence. This opposition is reminiscent of the challenges faced by God's people throughout history, where external forces often attempt to thwart divine plans.<p><b>to King Artaxerxes</b><br>Artaxerxes I was the king of Persia from 465 to 424 BC. His reign is marked by various administrative reforms and interactions with the Jewish community. The mention of Artaxerxes connects this narrative to the broader historical context of the Persian Empire's rule over Judah. The king's involvement underscores the political complexities of the time, as local disputes often required intervention from the central authority. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>.<p><b>as follows:</b><br>The phrase introduces the content of the letter, setting the stage for the detailed accusations against the Jews. This introduction emphasizes the formal nature of the communication and the seriousness of the charges. The letter's content, which follows in subsequent verses, reveals the tactics used by the adversaries to manipulate political power against the Jewish community. This mirrors the spiritual battles faced by believers, where accusations and opposition are common, as seen in <a href="/revelation/12-10.htm">Revelation 12:10</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rehum_the_commander.htm">Rehum the Commander</a></b><br>A high-ranking official who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His role as a commander indicates a position of authority and influence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shimshai_the_scribe.htm">Shimshai the Scribe</a></b><br>An official who assisted Rehum in drafting the letter. As a scribe, he was responsible for recording and communicating official documents.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which was in the process of being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king during whose reign the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem took place. His decisions impacted the progress of the Jewish returnees.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_letter.htm">The Letter</a></b><br>A formal complaint against the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem, aimed at halting their progress by appealing to the king's authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/opposition_to_god's_work.htm">Opposition to God's Work</a></b><br>Expect resistance when engaging in God's work. Just as Rehum and Shimshai opposed the rebuilding, believers today may face opposition when advancing God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_influence.htm">The Power of Influence</a></b><br>Recognize the influence of leaders and officials. Rehum and Shimshai used their positions to hinder God's people, reminding us to pray for those in authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Stay committed to God's calling despite challenges. The Jews' perseverance in rebuilding Jerusalem serves as an example of steadfast faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer_and_wisdom.htm">The Role of Prayer and Wisdom</a></b><br>Seek God's guidance in dealing with opposition. The Jews' response to the letter involved seeking divine intervention and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_greek_and_hebrew_bibles_differ.htm">What distinguishes the Greek and Hebrew Bibles?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/original_bible_languages.htm">What languages was the Bible originally written in?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_ezra_and_nehemiah_teach.htm">What lessons do Ezra and Nehemiah's stories teach us?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezra_4_1-2_align_with_archaeology.htm">In Ezra 4:1–2, how can we reconcile the reference to “the enemies of Judah and Benjamin” with archaeological evidence that suggests more complex local alliances? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Rehum the chancellor.</span>--<span class= "ital">The lord of judgment,</span> the counsellor of the Persian king, a conventional title of the civil governor.<p><span class= "bld">Shimshai the scribe</span>--The royal secretary.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Rehum</span> <span class="cmt_word">the chancellor.</span> Literally, "the lord of judgment." It may be conjectured that Rehum was the sub-satrap (<span class="greek">ὑποσατράπης</span>, Xen.), of the province of Samaria. <span class="cmt_word">And Shimshai the scribe.</span> Or "secretary." Herodotus tells us that in every Persian province the governor had a secretary attached to him, who was appointed by the crown, and acted as a check upon his nominal master (Herod., 3:128). The position assigned to Shim-shai in this chapter (see especially vers. 9, 17, 23) is such as might be expected under these circumstances. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Rehum</span><br /><span class="heb">רְח֣וּם</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḥūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7348.htm">Strong's 7348: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the commander</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘êl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1169.htm">Strong's 1169: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Shimshai</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šim·šay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8124.htm">Strong's 8124: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the scribe</span><br /><span class="heb">סָֽפְרָ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(sā·p̄ə·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> </span><span class="str2">A secretary, scribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wrote</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּתַ֛בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ṯa·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3790.htm">Strong's 3790: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲדָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2298.htm">Strong's 2298: </a> </span><span class="str2">As card, one, single, first, at once</span><br /><br /><span class="word">letter</span><br /><span class="heb">אִגְּרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ig·gə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_104.htm">Strong's 104: </a> </span><span class="str2">An epistle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5922.htm">Strong's 5922: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šə·lem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3390.htm">Strong's 3390: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to King</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְכָּ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(mal·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Artaxerxes</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_783.htm">Strong's 783: </a> </span><span class="str2">Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as follows:</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּנֵֽמָא׃</span> <span class="translit">(kə·nê·mā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3660.htm">Strong's 3660: </a> </span><span class="str2">Accordingly, as follows</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>