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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 4:6 At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/15_Ezr_04_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:6 - Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem." /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezra/4-5.htm" title="Ezra 4:5">◄</a> Ezra 4:6 <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm" title="Ezra 4:7">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Years later when Xerxes began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they <i>unto him</i> an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now in the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), in the beginning of his reign, the Samaritans wrote [to him] an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem [who had returned from exile].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, the people who were already in the land wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, the people who were already in the land wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezra/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the first year that Xerxes was king, the neighboring people brought written charges against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Xerxes began to rule, the enemies of Judah and Jerusalem wrote a letter in which they made an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Emperor Xerxes, the enemies of the people living in Judah and Jerusalem brought written charges against them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, they lodged a formal accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus they filed an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In the reign of Achshayarsh, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote to him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the commencement of his reign, they have written an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the commencement of his reign, they have written an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his kingdom, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And in the reign of Assuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Juda and Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, during the reign of Ahasuerus, at the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the reign of Ahasuerus, at the beginning of his reign, they prepared a written accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the reign of Ahasuerus, in his accession year, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And in the reign of King Akhshirash, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And in the kingdom of Akhashiresh the King, at the beginning of his kingdom, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Yehuda and of Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And in the reign of Assuerus, even in the beginning of his reign, they wrote a letter against the inhabitants of Juda and Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/4-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=845" 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">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8462.htm" title="8462: biṯ·ḥil·laṯ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- A beginning. From chalal in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. Original.">At the beginning</a> <a href="/hebrew/4438.htm" title="4438: mal·ḵū·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom. Or malkuth; or malkuyah; from malak; a rule; concretely, a dominion."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4438.htm" title="4438: ū·ḇə·mal·ḵūṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom. Or malkuth; or malkuyah; from malak; a rule; concretely, a dominion.">of the reign</a> <a href="/hebrew/325.htm" title="325: ’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš (N-proper-ms) -- King of Persia. Or pachashrosh; of Persian origin; Achashverosh, the title of a Persian king.">of Xerxes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7855.htm" title="7855: śiṭ·nāh (N-fs) -- Accusation. From satan; opposition.">an accusation</a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: kā·ṯə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">was lodged</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šə·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-fs) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">of Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: wî·rū·šā·lim (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">and Jerusalem.</a> </span><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.…<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</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?”<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="/esther/1-1.htm">Esther 1:1-3</a></span><br />This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. / In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. / In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-5</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5-9</a></span><br />The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8-9</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-8.htm">Daniel 3:8-12</a></span><br />At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, / saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever! / You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7-8</a></span><br />When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, / and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/8-9.htm">Esther 8:9-10</a></span><br />At once the royal scribes were summoned, and on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan), they recorded all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush—writing to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. / Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-12.htm">Daniel 6:12-13</a></span><br />So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” / Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-16.htm">Acts 4:16-18</a></span><br />“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. / But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” / Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-27.htm">Acts 5:27-28</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/24-1.htm">Acts 24:1-9</a></span><br />Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Acts 25:7</a></span><br />When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">1 Peter 2:12</a></span><br />Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they to him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="hdg">wrote</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-37.htm">Matthew 27:37</a></b></br> And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Acts 24:5-9,13</a></b></br> For we have found this man <i>a</i> pestilent <i>fellow</i>, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Acts 25:7</a></b></br> And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Accusation</a> <a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Ahasuerus</a> <a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Ahasu-E'rus</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-27.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-25.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/ezra/3-12.htm">First</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-18.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/ezra/3-8.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-27.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/ezra/2-62.htm">Record</a> <a href="/ezra/4-5.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-15.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/ezra/4-5.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ezra/3-4.htm">Written</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-17.htm">Wrote</a> <a href="/daniel/9-1.htm">Xerxes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Accusation</a> <a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Ahasuerus</a> <a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Ahasu-E'rus</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-17.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/ezra/5-13.htm">First</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-13.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/5-1.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-20.htm">Lodged</a> <a href="/ezra/6-2.htm">Record</a> <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Written</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Wrote</a> <a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Xerxes</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ezra/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes</b><br />The phrase marks a significant historical transition. Xerxes, known in Hebrew as Ahasuerus, was a Persian king whose reign began around 486 BC. This period is crucial as it follows the reign of Darius I, under whom the temple rebuilding efforts were supported. Xerxes' reign is marked by a shift in political dynamics, reflecting the challenges faced by the Jewish community in maintaining their religious and cultural identity amidst changing imperial policies. The historical context underscores the vulnerability of the Jewish exiles as they navigated the complexities of foreign rule.<p><b>an accusation was lodged</b><br />The Hebrew root for "accusation" is "sitnah," which conveys hostility and opposition. This term is significant as it reflects the persistent adversarial actions against the Jewish people. The lodging of an accusation suggests a formal complaint, likely intended to halt the progress of the Jewish community in rebuilding their city and temple. This reflects a broader theme in the Bible of spiritual warfare, where God's people often face opposition when fulfilling divine mandates. The act of lodging an accusation is a reminder of the spiritual and physical battles that accompany the pursuit of God's purposes.<p><b>against the people of Judah and Jerusalem</b><br />This phrase identifies the specific targets of the opposition: the Jewish exiles who had returned to their ancestral homeland. Judah and Jerusalem hold profound theological and historical significance as the heart of Jewish identity and worship. Jerusalem, the city of David, is central to God's covenantal promises. The opposition against Judah and Jerusalem is not merely political but also spiritual, as it represents an attempt to thwart God's redemptive plan through His chosen people. This highlights the enduring nature of God's promises and the resilience required of His people to stand firm in faith amidst adversity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">In the beginning of his reign.</span>--This Ahasuerus, another name for Cambyses, reigned seven years; and his accession to the throne was the time seized by the Samaritans for their "accusation," of which we hear nothing more; suffice that the building languished.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And in</span> <span class="cmt_word">the reign of Ahasuerus.</span> Some critics regard this Ahasuerus as identical with the Ahasuerus of Esther, who is generally allowed to be Xerxes, the son and successor of Darius Hystaspis, and the invader of Greece. In this case the Artaxerxes of the next verse is taken to be Artaxerxes Longimanus, and the entire passage, from ver. 6 to ver. 23 inclusively, is regarded as parenthetic, having reference to events which happened later than any of those recorded in ch. 6. But the evident <span class="accented">nexus</span> of vers. 23, 24 is fatal to this view, which has nothing in its favour beyond the sequence of the royal names, an uncertain argument in this instance, since we know that Persian kings had often more than one name. If on these grounds we reject the proposed identification, and regard the chapter as chronologically consecutive, Ahasuerus here must be explained as Cambyses, and the Artaxerxes of ver. 7 as Smerdis. This is the view most usually taken, and it seems to the present writer to present fewer difficulties than any other. <span class="cmt_word">In</span> <span class="cmt_word">the beginning of his reign.</span> As soon as ever a new king mounted the throne, fresh representations were made to him by the "adversaries," lest the work should be recommenced<span class="cmt_word">. Wrote they an accusation.</span> Comp. vers. 12-16, by which we see the sort of "accusation that could be plausibly brought. <p> CHAPTER 4:7-116. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-6.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">At the beginning</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8462.htm">Strong's 8462: </a> </span><span class="str2">A commencement, rel, original</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the reign</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְמַלְכוּת֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·mal·ḵūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4438.htm">Strong's 4438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Xerxes,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_325.htm">Strong's 325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ahasuerus -- king of Persia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an accusation</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂטְנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(śiṭ·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7855.htm">Strong's 7855: </a> </span><span class="str2">Opposition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was lodged</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּתְב֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(kā·ṯə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</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_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹשְׁבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(yō·šə·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Judah</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוּדָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Jerusalem.</span><br /><span class="heb">וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(wî·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:6 In the reign of Ahasuerus (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:7" /></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>