CINXE.COM

<!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 4:23 When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/15_Ezr_04_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:23 - The Decree of Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezra/4-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezra/4-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezra/">Ezra</a> > <a href="/ezra/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/4-22.htm" title="Ezra 4:22">◄</a> Ezra 4:23 <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm" title="Ezra 4:24">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/ezra/4.htm">New International Version</a> As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. <a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> When this letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their colleagues, they hurried to Jerusalem. Then, with a show of strength, they forced the Jews to stop building. <a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. <a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. <a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease. <a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ decree was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in a hurry to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by military force. <a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes&#8217 document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms. <a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms. <a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force and military. <a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they went up hurriedly to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them stop [work] by force of arms. <a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’s letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. <a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes&#8217 letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. <a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/cev/ezra/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> As soon as this letter was read, Governor Rehum, Secretary Shimshai, and their advisors went to Jerusalem and forced everyone to stop rebuilding the city. <a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and their group hurried to Jerusalem after hearing a copy of King Artaxerxes' letter. They forced the Jews to stop rebuilding. <a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> As soon as this letter from Emperor Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates, they hurried to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop rebuilding the city. <a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> As soon as a copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, to Shimshai the scribe, and to their colleagues, they traveled quickly to Jerusalem and compelled the Jews to cease by force of arms. <a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. <a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Then, as soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read in the presence of Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they proceeded promptly to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped them with threat of armed force. <a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then when the copy of king Artachshasta' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Then from the time that a copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes is read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they have gone in haste to Jerusalem, to the Jews, and caused them to cease by force and strength; <a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Then from the time that a copy of the letter of king Artaxerxes is read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they have gone in haste to Jerusalem, unto the Jews, and caused them to cease by force and strength; <a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then after the copy of the epistle of Arthasatha the king being read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they went away to Jerusalem to the Jews, and caused them to cease by arm and strength.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the copy of the edict of king Artaxerxes was read before Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe, and their counsellors: and they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and hindered them with arm and power. <a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so a copy of the edict of king Artaxerxes was read before Rehum, the commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, and their counselors. And they went away hurriedly to Jerusalem, to the Jews. And they prohibited them by force and by strength. <a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a> As soon as a copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter had been read before Rehum, the governor, Shimshai, the scribe, and their fellow officials, they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and stopped their work by force of arms. <a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now when the copy of King Artakhshisht's letter came, they read it before Arkhom; then the chancellor and Shamshai the scribe and their companions went in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by a strong army made them cease building. <a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Then when a copy of the letter of Artakhshesht the King came, they read it before Arkhum, Master Taster, and Shemshi the Scribe and in front of those who were their equals. They came in quietness against Yehudah to Jerusalem, and they stopped them with a mighty army.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. <a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Then the tribute-gatherer of king Arthasastha read the letter before Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and his fellow-servants: and they went in haste to Jerusalem and through Juda, and caused them to cease with horses and an armed force. <a href="/parallel/ezra/4-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=1040" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">The Decree of Artaxerxes</a> …22See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer? 23<a href="/hebrew/116.htm" title="116: ’ĕ·ḏa·yin (Adv) -- Then, thereupon. (Aramaic) of uncertain derivation; then (of time).">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/4481.htm" title="4481: min- (Prep) -- From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than. (Aramaic) corresponding to min."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6573.htm" title="6573: par·še·ḡen (N-msc) -- A copy. (Aramaic) corresponding to parshegen.">the text</a> <a href="/hebrew/5407.htm" title="5407: niš·tə·wā·nā (N-msd) -- A letter. (Aramaic) corresponding to nishtvan.">of the letter</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kā (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">from King</a> <a href="/hebrew/783.htm" title="783: ʾar·taḥ·šaś·tå̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Artachshasht; or by permutation Artachshactu; of foreign origin; Artachshasta, a title of several Persian kings.">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7123.htm" title="7123: qĕ·rî (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To call, read out or aloud. (Aramaic) corresponding to qara'.">was read</a> <a href="/hebrew/6925.htm" title="6925: qo·ḏām- (Prep) -- Before. (Aramaic) or qdam (Aramaic) (Daniel 7:13); corresponding to qedem; before.">to</a> <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/8124.htm" title="8124: wə·šim·šay (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A scribe who opposed Isr. (Aramaic) from shemesh; sunny; Shimshai, a Samaritan.">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/3675.htm" title="3675: ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An associate. (Aramaic) corresponding to knath.">and their associates,</a> <a href="/hebrew/236.htm" title="236: ’ă·za·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3mp) -- To go, go off. (Aramaic) the same as 'azal; to depart.">they went</a> <a href="/hebrew/924.htm" title="924: ḇiḇ·hî·lū (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Haste. (Aramaic) from bhal; a hurry; only adverb, hastily.">immediately</a> <a href="/hebrew/5922.htm" title="5922: ‘al- (Prep) -- Upon, over, above. (Aramaic) corresponding to al.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3062.htm" title="3062: yə·hū·ḏā·yê (N-proper-ms) -- An inhab. of Judah. (Aramaic) patrial from Yhuwd; a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew.">the Jews</a> <a href="/hebrew/3390.htm" title="3390: lî·rū·šə·lem (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- The capital city of all Isr. (Chald).">in Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/153.htm" title="153: bə·’eḏ·rā‘ (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- A force. (Aramaic) an orthographical variation for dra'; an arm, i.e. (figuratively) power.">and forcibly</a> <a href="/hebrew/2429.htm" title="2429: wə·ḥā·yil (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Power, strength, army. (Aramaic) corresponding to chayil; an army, or strength."></a> <a href="/hebrew/989.htm" title="989: ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3mp) -- To cease. (Aramaic) corresponding to batel; to stop.">stopped</a> <a href="/hebrew/1994.htm" title="1994: him·mōw (Pro-3mp) -- They. (Aramaic) or (prolonged) himmown (Aramaic); corresponding to hem; they.">them.</a> 24Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7-8</a> 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. <a href="/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5-9</a> 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.” ... <a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-9</a> 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! ... <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8-11</a> 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. ... <a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">2 Kings 17:24-33</a> 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.” ... <a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">2 Kings 18:9-12</a> In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it. / And at the end of three years, the Assyrians captured it. So Samaria was captured in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel. / The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">2 Chronicles 32:1-5</a> After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself. / When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. ... <a href="/jeremiah/29-1.htm">Jeremiah 29:1-7</a> This is the text of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the others Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / (This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had been exiled from Jerusalem.) / The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It stated: ... <a href="/jeremiah/38-4.htm">Jeremiah 38:4-6</a> Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.” / “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.” / So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. <a href="/acts/4-18.htm">Acts 4:18-21</a> 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.” ... <a href="/acts/5-27.htm">Acts 5:27-29</a> 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. <a href="/acts/13-50.htm">Acts 13:50</a> The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. <a href="/acts/14-2.htm">Acts 14:2-5</a> But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. / So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. / The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles. ... <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Acts 17:5-9</a> 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!” ... <a href="/acts/19-23.htm">Acts 19:23-41</a> About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen. / Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.Rehum<a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">Ezra 4:8,9,17</a> Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: … they went up<a href="/proverbs/4-16.htm">Proverbs 4:16</a> For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.<a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1</a> Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.<a href="/romans/3-15.htm">Romans 3:15</a> Their feet are swift to shed blood:force.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/4-21.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-11.htm">Compelled</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Copy</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-1.htm">Force</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-21.htm">Haste</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-16.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/ezra/4-20.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/4-12.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/ezra/4-18.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/ezra/4-16.htm">Power</a> <a href="/ezra/4-18.htm">Read</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-24.htm">Reading</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Rehum</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Secretary</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Shimshai</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Shim'shai</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-5.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/ezra/4-21.htm">Stopped</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/3-19.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/7-1.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/ezra/5-3.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Compelled</a> <a href="/ezra/5-6.htm">Copy</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Force</a> <a href="/ezra/5-6.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">Haste</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Immediately</a> <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/5-1.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/ezra/8-22.htm">Power</a> <a href="/ezra/5-7.htm">Read</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-8.htm">Reading</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-17.htm">Rehum</a> <a href="/ezra/7-6.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-3.htm">Secretary</a> <a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">Shimshai</a> <a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">Shim'shai</a> <a href="/job/7-21.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm">Stopped</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 4</div>1. <a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, </a> 4. <a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">endeavor to hinder it</a> 7. <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Their letter to Artaxerxes</a> 17. <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">The answer and decree of Artaxerxes</a> 23. <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">The building is hindered</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </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>As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read The phrase highlights the immediacy and authority of the king's decree. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's letter carried immense power, often seen as an extension of the king himself. The Persian Empire, under King Artaxerxes, was vast and influential, and his decrees were expected to be obeyed without delay. The Hebrew root for "read" (קרא, qara) implies a public proclamation, emphasizing the official and binding nature of the communication.to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates Rehum and Shimshai are identified as local officials, likely appointed by the Persian administration to oversee the region. The mention of "the scribe" indicates a position of literacy and authority, as scribes were responsible for recording and interpreting official documents. Their "associates" suggests a network of officials working together to enforce the king's orders. This reflects the bureaucratic structure of the Persian Empire, which relied on local leaders to maintain control over its vast territories.they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem The urgency in their actions underscores the tension between the local authorities and the Jewish community. The phrase "went immediately" suggests a sense of duty and perhaps eagerness to enforce the king's command. Historically, the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple were met with resistance from surrounding peoples who felt threatened by the re-establishment of a Jewish presence in the region.and forcibly stopped them This phrase indicates the use of power and possibly violence to halt the rebuilding efforts. The Hebrew root for "forcibly stopped" (בעל, ba'al) can imply a forceful intervention. This action reflects the broader theme of opposition faced by the Jewish people throughout their history, as they sought to fulfill God's promises and rebuild their community. Theologically, this opposition can be seen as a test of faith and perseverance, reminding believers of the spiritual battles that accompany the pursuit of God's purposes.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - They went up in haste. The "adversaries" lost no time. Having obtained the decree which forbad further building, they proceeded with it to Jerusalem, and by a display of force compelled the Jews to submission. No doubt resistance might have been made, but resistance would have been rebellion. <a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When אֱדַ֗יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_116.htm">Strong's 116: </a> Then, thereupon the text פַּרְשֶׁ֤גֶן (par·še·ḡen) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6573.htm">Strong's 6573: </a> A transcript of the letter נִשְׁתְּוָנָא֙ (niš·tə·wā·nā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5407.htm">Strong's 5407: </a> An epistle from King מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> A king Artaxerxes אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_783.htm">Strong's 783: </a> Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia was read קֱרִ֧י (qĕ·rî) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7123.htm">Strong's 7123: </a> To call, read out or aloud to קֳדָם־ (qo·ḏām-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6925.htm">Strong's 6925: </a> Before Rehum, רְח֛וּם (rə·ḥūm) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7348.htm">Strong's 7348: </a> Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites Shimshai וְשִׁמְשַׁ֥י (wə·šim·šay) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8124.htm">Strong's 8124: </a> Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel the scribe, סָפְרָ֖א (sā·p̄ə·rā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> A secretary, scribe and their associates, וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3675.htm">Strong's 3675: </a> An associate they went אֲזַ֨לוּ (’ă·za·lū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_236.htm">Strong's 236: </a> To go, go off immediately בִבְהִיל֤וּ (ḇiḇ·hî·lū) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_924.htm">Strong's 924: </a> A hurry, hastily to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5922.htm">Strong's 5922: </a> Above, over, upon, against the Jews יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3062.htm">Strong's 3062: </a> Jews -- inhabitants of Judah in Jerusalem לִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙ (lî·rū·šə·lem) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3390.htm">Strong's 3390: </a> Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel and forcibly בְּאֶדְרָ֥ע (bə·’eḏ·rā‘) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_153.htm">Strong's 153: </a> An arm, power stopped וּבַטִּ֥לוּ (ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_989.htm">Strong's 989: </a> To cease them. הִמּ֖וֹ (him·mōw) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1994.htm">Strong's 1994: </a> They <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezra/4-23.htm">Ezra 4:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:23 Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:24" /></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>