Looking for Ezra

[JLG]

Ezra 4:6

At the beginning
בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת (biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8462: A commencement, rel, original

of the reign
וּבְמַלְכוּת֙ (ū·ḇə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

of Xerxes,
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

an accusation
שִׂטְנָ֔ה (śiṭ·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7855: Opposition

was lodged
כָּתְב֣וּ (kā·ṯə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the people
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Jerusalem.
וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (wî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

• Their enemies are ready to do anything to oppose the people of Judah!
• Thus they accuse them!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:7

And in the days
וּבִימֵ֣י (ū·ḇî·mê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Artaxerxes king
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֗שְׂתָּא (’ar·taḥ·šaś·tā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

of Persia,
פָּרָ֑ס (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

Bishlam,
בִּשְׁלָ֜ם (biš·lām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1312: Bishlam -- perhaps 'son of peace', a Pers

Mithredath,
מִתְרְדָ֤ת (miṯ·rə·ḏāṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4990: Mithredath -- two Persians

Tabeel,
טָֽבְאֵל֙ (ṭā·ḇə·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2870: Tabeal -- 'good for nothing', an Aramean (Syrian)

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of
כנותו (kə·nā·wō·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

his associates
כְּנָוֺתָ֔יו (kə·nā·wō·ṯāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3674: Associate, colleague

wrote [a letter]
כָּתַ֨ב (kā·ṯaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Artaxerxes.
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

[It]
הַֽנִּשְׁתְּוָ֔ן (han·niš·tə·wān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5406: An epistle

was written
כָּת֥וּב (kā·ṯūḇ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in Aramaic
אֲרָמִ֖ית (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

and translated [for the king].
וּמְתֻרְגָּ֥ם (ū·mə·ṯur·gām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8638: To interpret, translate

The Aramaic script [read as follows]:
אֲרָמִֽית׃ (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

• A letter is sent to Artaxerxes the king of persia!
• From opponents to the Jews!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:8

Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

and Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

wrote
כְּתַ֛בוּ (kə·ṯa·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3790: To grave, to write

a
חֲדָ֖ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

letter
אִגְּרָ֥ה (’ig·gə·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 104: An epistle

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

to King
מַלְכָּ֖א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

as follows:
כְּנֵֽמָא׃ (kə·nê·mā)
Adverb
Strong's 3660: Accordingly, as follows

• A commander and a scribe send a letter against Jerusalem to Ataxerxes!
• Everything is well organized!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:7 Commentaries: And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated from Aramaic.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(7) In the days of Artaxerxes.—This must be Gomates, the Magian priest who personated Smerdis, the dead son of Cyrus, and reigned only seven months: note that the expression used is “days,” and not “reign” as in the previous verse. This Artaxerxes has been thought by many commentators to be the Longimanus of the sequel of this book and of Nehemiah, and they have identified the Ahasuerus of Ezra and Esther with Xerxes. This would explain the reference to “the walls” in Ezra 4:12; but in Ezra 4:23-24 the sequence of events is strict, and the word “ceased” links the parts of the narrative into unity. Moreover, the Persian princes had often more than one name. At the same time, there is nothing to make such an anticipatory and parenthetical insertion impossible.
In the Syrian tongue.—The characters and the words were Syrian or Aramaic; this explains the transition to another language at this point,

Benson Commentary
Ezra 4:7. In the days of Artaxerxes, &c. — The sacred writer, having in the foregoing verse mentioned a stop being put to the building of the temple, till the reign of Darius, now proceeds to relate particularly how it was effected. By Artaxerxes here is probably meant the son of Cyrus, called Cambyses by heathen writers. Written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue — That is, it was written both in the Syrian character, and the Syrian language: for sometimes the Chaldee or Syrian words were written in the Hebrew character.


Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Artaxerxes - Gomates, the Pseudo-Smerdis. He succeeded Cambyses (521 B.C.), and reigned for seven months, when he was deposed and executed by Darius Hystaspis.Written in the Syrian tongue ... - Or, "written in Syriac characters and translated into Syriac." On the use of this tongue as a medium of communication between the Jews and their Eastern neighbors, see 2 Kings 18:26 note.

Matthew Poole's Commentary
In the days of Artaxerxes; either,

1. Artaxerxes the son of Xerxes. Or,

2. Smerdis the magician. Or rather,

3. The same Cambyses, called by his Chaldee name Ahasuems, Ezra 4:6, and here by his Persian name Artaxerxes; by which name he is here called in the inscription of this letter, because so he was called by himself and others in the letters written either by him or to him. Interpreted, or exposed, or declared. The sense is, It was written in the Chaldee or Syrian language, and in the Syrian character; for sometimes the Chaldee or Syrian words are written in the Hebrew character, as Hebrew words are oft written in an English character.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
And in the days of Artaxerxes,.... The same with Ahasuerus, in the preceding verse; and who also is Cambyses, which is his name in Heathen authors, Artaxerxes being a common name to the kings of Persia; though some (f) think this was Smerdis, the magician and impostor, who was between Cambyses and Darius; but as he reigned but seven months, it is not very likely that he should be wrote unto, and an answer received from him; besides he sent to every nation he ruled over (g), and so to the Jews, and proclaimed to them freedom from tribute and the militia for three years, to ingratiate himself to them:

Geneva Study Bible
And in the days of {e} Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
(e) Called Artaxerxes, which signifies in the Persian tongue an excellent warrior.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
7. And in the days of Artaxerxes] Artaxerxes Longimanus succeeded his father Xerxes and reigned forty years (465–425). He is mentioned in Ezra 7:1; Nehemiah 2:1.

The name in the inscriptions appears as Artakshathra, compounded of ‘Arta’ meaning ‘great’ (cf. Arta-phernes, Arta-bazus) and ‘Khsathra’ ‘kingdom’.

The view which identifies this Artaxerxes with Pseudo-Smerdis or Gomates, the usurper of the Persian crown on the death of Cambyses, is discussed in the Note on the whole section appended to Ezra 4:23.

Artaxerxes - Gomates, the Pseudo-Smerdis. He succeeded Cambyses (521 B.C.), and reigned for seven months, when he was deposed and executed by Darius Hystaspis.
Written in the Syrian tongue ... - Or, "written in Syriac characters and translated into Syriac." On the use of this tongue as a medium of communication between the Jews and their Eastern neighbors, see 2 Kings 18:26 note.

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:9

From Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֖ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of their associates—
כְּנָוָתְה֑וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

the judges
דִּ֠ינָיֵא (dî·nā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1784: A Dinaite

and officials
וַאֲפַרְסַתְכָיֵ֞א (wa·’ă·p̄ar·saṯ·ḵā·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 671: An Apharsekite, Apharsathkite

over Tripolis,
טַרְפְּלָיֵ֣א (ṭar·pə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2967: Official (a person title)

Persia,
אֲפָֽרְסָיֵ֗א (’ă·p̄ā·rə·sā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 670: An Apherasite

Erech
אַרְכְּוָיֵ֤א (’ar·kə·wā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 756: Erech -- inhabitants of Erech

and Babylon,
בָבְלָיֵא֙ (ḇā·ḇə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 896: Babylonians -- a Babylonian

the Elamites
עֵלְמָיֵֽא׃ (‘ê·lə·mā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5962: Elamites -- inhabitants of Elam

of Susa,
שֽׁוּשַׁנְכָיֵ֔א (šū·šan·ḵā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7801: Susa -- a Shushankite

• We are told about the different opponents of the reconstruction of Jerusalem!
• A commander!
• A scribe!
• Their associates!
• Judges and officials!
• Quite real!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:10

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of the peoples
אֻמַּיָּ֗א (’um·may·yā)
Noun - feminine plural determinate
Strong's 524: A collection, community of persons

whom
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the great
רַבָּ֣א (rab·bā)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7229: Abundant

and honorable
וְיַקִּירָ֔א (wə·yaq·qî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3358: Honorable, difficult

Ashurbanipal
אָסְנַפַּר֙ (’ā·sə·nap·par)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 620: Osnappar -- an Assyrian king

relocated
הַגְלִי֙ (haḡ·lî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1541: To denude, to exile, to reveal

and settled
וְהוֹתֵ֣ב (wə·hō·w·ṯêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in the cities
בְּקִרְיָ֖ה (bə·qir·yāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

Samaria
שָׁמְרָ֑יִן (šā·mə·rā·yin)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and
וּשְׁאָ֥ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

elsewhere west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Aššur-bāni-apli, meaning "Ashur is the creator of the heir") was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 669 BCE to his death in 631. He is generally remembered as the last great king of Assyria.

• More opponents in Samaria and west of the Euphrates!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:11

(This
דְּנָה֙ (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

is the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֣גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
אִגַּרְתָּ֔א (’ig·gar·tā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 104: An epistle

they sent
שְׁלַ֣חוּ (šə·la·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to him.)
עֲל֔וֹהִי (‘ă·lō·w·hî)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

King
מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes,
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּא (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

From your servants,
עַבְדָ֛יךְ‪‬‪‬ (‘aḇ·ḏā·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5649: Slave, servant

the men
אֱנָ֥שׁ (’ĕ·nāš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 606: Man, mankind

west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

• Interesting to have the letter of their opponents to the king!
• It is so real!
• That’s definitely the interest of the Bible!
• We are told about good and bad actions!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:12

Let it be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the Jews
יְהוּדָיֵ֗א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

who
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

came
סְלִ֙קוּ֙ (sə·li·qū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5559: To ascend

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

you
לְוָתָ֔ךְ (lə·wā·ṯāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3890: Adhesion, with

have returned
אֲת֖וֹ (’ă·ṯōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 858: To arrive

to us
עֲלֶ֥ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

at Jerusalem.
לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And they are rebuilding
תתן־ (bā·na·yin)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1124: To build

that rebellious
מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א (mā·rā·ḏə·tā)
Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

and wicked
ובאישתא (ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 873: Wicked

city,
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

restoring
אשכללו (šaḵ·li·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

its walls,
ושורי (wə·šū·ray·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

and repairing
יַחִֽיטוּ׃ (ya·ḥî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2338: To string together, to repair

its foundations.
וְאֻשַּׁיָּ֖א (wə·’uš·šay·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 787: A foundation

• The opponents speak about the rebellious and wicked city of Jerusalem!

• They speak about the reconstruction of the walls and of the foundations!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:13

Let it now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

that
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

they will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

pay
יִנְתְּנ֔וּן (yin·tə·nūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5415: To give

tribute,
מִנְדָּֽה־ (min·dāh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֤וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

or toll,
וַהֲלָךְ֙ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

and the royal
מַלְכִ֖ים (mal·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

treasury
וְאַפְּתֹ֥ם (wə·’ap·pə·ṯōm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 674: Revenue, others at the last

will suffer.
תְּהַנְזִֽק׃ (tə·han·ziq)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

• They say that Jerusalem will rebel and won’t pay tribute, duty and toll!
• As a consequence, the royal treasury will suffer!
• Past history is there to testify!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:14

Now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

because
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

we are in the service
מְלַ֔חְנָא (mə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4415: To eat salt, subsist

of the palace
הֵֽיכְלָא֙ (hê·ḵə·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1965: A large public building, palace, temple

and it is not fitting
אֲ‍ֽרִֽיךְ (’ărîḵ-)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 749: Fitting, proper

for us
לַ֖נָא (la·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

to allow
לְמֶֽחֱזֵ֑א (lə·me·ḥĕ·zê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

the king
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

to be dishonored,
וְעַרְוַ֣ת (wə·‘ar·waṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6173: Nakedness, impoverishment

we have sent
שְׁלַ֖חְנָא (šə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to inform
וְהוֹדַ֥עְנָא (wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּֽא׃ (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

• They try to attract the attention of the king by saying he would be dishonored!
• They try to make him think of his personal interests!
• But it has nothing to do with that!
• They are just opponents!
• Anything will do so they can get what they want!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:15

that
דִּ֡י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

a search should be made
יְבַקַּר֩ (yə·ḇaq·qar)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

of the record
דָּכְרָ֨נַיָּ֜א (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּֽסְפַר־ (bis·p̄ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

your fathers.
אֲבָהָתָ֗ךְ (’ă·ḇā·hā·ṯāḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2: Father

[In these]
דָּכְרָנַיָּא֮ (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּסְפַ֣ר (bis·p̄ar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

you will discover
וּ֠תְהַשְׁכַּח (ū·ṯə·haš·kaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7912: To discover

and verify
וְתִנְדַּע֒ (wə·ṯin·da‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

that
דִּי֩ (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the city
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is a rebellious
מָֽרָדָ֗א (mā·rā·ḏā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

city,
קִרְיָ֣א (qir·yā)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

harmful
וּֽמְהַנְזְקַ֤ת (ū·mə·han·zə·qaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

to kings
מַלְכִין֙ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

and provinces,
וּמְדִנָ֔ן (ū·mə·ḏi·nān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4083: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

inciting
עָבְדִ֣ין (‘ā·ḇə·ḏîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep

sedition
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּוּר֙ (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

ancient
עָלְמָ֑א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times.
יוֹמָ֖ת (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

That is why
עַ֨ל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

this
דָ֜ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

was destroyed.
הָֽחָרְבַֽת׃ (hā·ḥā·rə·ḇaṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2718: To be a waste

• And they ask the king to check what they say in the books of his fathers!
• And in fact, it is true!
• So it is a good argument!
• They look for their own interests but they use good arguments!
• Of course, against their opponents!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:16

We
אֲנַ֙חְנָה֙ (’ă·naḥ·nāh)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 586: We

advise
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין (mə·hō·wḏ·‘în)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

you will have
אִיתַ֖י (’î·ṯay)
Adverb
Strong's 383: Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is

no
לָ֥א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

dominion
חֲלָק֙ (ḥă·lāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2508: Portion, possession

west
בַּעֲבַ֣ר (ba·‘ă·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֔א (na·hă·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates


- They tell the king that if he lets the city be rebuilt with its walls, he will lose control of the city!
- Thus it is against his own interests!
- Meaning it can start with Jerusalem and then spread to other cities and countries!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:17

[Then] the king
מַלְכָּ֗א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

sent
שְׁלַ֣ח (šə·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

this reply:
פִּתְגָמָ֞א (piṯ·ḡā·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 6600: A word, answer, letter, decree

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Rehum
רְח֤וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֣י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָר֙ (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of your associates
כְּנָוָ֣תְה֔וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

living
יָתְבִ֖ין (yā·ṯə·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in Samaria
בְּשָֽׁמְרָ֑יִן (bə·šā·mə·rā·yin)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and elsewhere
וּשְׁאָ֧ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

in the region west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֛ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Greetings.
שְׁלָ֖ם (šə·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8001: Welfare, prosperity

• The king answers them!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:18

The letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕א (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

you sent
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן (šə·laḥ·tūn)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

us
עֲלֶ֑ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

has been translated
מְפָרַ֥שׁ (mə·p̄ā·raš)
Verb - Piel - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6568: To make distinct

and read
קֱרִ֖י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

in my presence.
קָדָמָֽי׃ (qā·ḏā·māy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 6925: Before

• The letter has been translated and read before the king!
• It takes it seriously!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:19

I issued
שִׂ֣ים (śîm)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

a decree,
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

and a search was conducted.
וּבַקַּ֣רוּ (ū·ḇaq·qa·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

It was discovered
וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ (wə·haš·ka·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7912: To discover

that
דִּ֚י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

this
דָ֔ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֣א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

has revolted
מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה (miṯ·naś·śə·’āh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5376: To lift, take, carry

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

kings
מַלְכִ֖ין (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

from ancient
עָֽלְמָ֔א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times,
יוֹמָת֙ (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

engaging in rebellion
וּמְרַ֥ד (ū·mə·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4776: Rebellion

and sedition.
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

• Jerusalem has a history of rebellion and sedition!
• Thus it is not only against Yah.weh!
• It is something natural for the people!
• It has always been so!
• And it is well known by everybody!
• In fact, it started with Jacob’s sons!
• Despite their bad actions, they were protected by Yah.weh!
• Otherwise their history would have stopped from the beginning!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:20

And mighty
תַּקִּיפִ֗ין (taq·qî·p̄în)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8624: Strong, mighty

kings
וּמַלְכִ֣ין (ū·mal·ḵîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

have ruled over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and exercised authority
וְשַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין (wə·šal·lî·ṭîn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7990: Mighty, permission, a premier

over the whole
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

region west
עֲבַ֣ר (‘ă·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֑ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

and tribute,
וּמִדָּ֥ה (ū·mid·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֛וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

and toll
וַהֲלָ֖ךְ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

were paid
מִתְיְהֵ֥ב (miṯ·yə·hêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

to them.
לְהֽוֹן׃ (lə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

• Here we are told about mighty kings ruling over Jerusalem!
• And taxes were paid to them!
• Thus here it takes into account everything!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:21

Now, therefore,
כְּעַן֙ (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

issue
שִׂ֣ימוּ (śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7761: To set, make

an order
טְּעֵ֔ם (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

for these
אִלֵּ֑ךְ (’il·lêḵ)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 479: These

men
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א (guḇ·ray·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1400: A person

to stop,
לְבַטָּלָ֖א (lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 989: To cease

so that this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
וְקִרְיְתָ֥א (wə·qir·yə·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

be rebuilt
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א (ṯiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

I
מִנִּ֖י (min·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

so order.
טַעְמָ֥א (ṭa‘·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2941: Account, to be commanded, commandment, matter

• Here it seems that their enemies have won!
• The reconstruction is stopped!
• The arguments have worked!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:22

See that you
וּזְהִירִ֥ין (ū·zə·hî·rîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2095: Be admonished

do not neglect
שָׁל֖וּ (šā·lū)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7960: Neglect, remissness

this matter.
דְּנָ֑ה (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

Why
לְמָה֙ (lə·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4101: Interrogative what?, what!, indefinitely what

allow this threat
חֲבָלָ֔א (ḥă·ḇā·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2257: A hurt, injury

to increase
יִשְׂגֵּ֣א (yiś·gê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7680: To grow great

and the royal
מַלְכִֽין׃ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

interests to suffer?
לְהַנְזָקַ֖ת (lə·han·zā·qaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

• Everything is against the city!
• Not only Yah.weh!
• We should remember that!
• It is difficult to build up a good reputation!
• It is easy to ruin it!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:23

When
אֱדַ֗יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin)
Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֤גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָא֙ (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

from King
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

was read
קֱרִ֧י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

to
קֳדָם־ (qo·ḏām-)
Preposition
Strong's 6925: Before

Rehum,
רְח֛וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֥י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָפְרָ֖א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and their associates,
וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

they went
אֲזַ֨לוּ (’ă·za·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 236: To go, go off

immediately
בִבְהִיל֤וּ (ḇiḇ·hî·lū)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 924: A hurry, hastily

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

in Jerusalem
לִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙ (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and forcibly
בְּאֶדְרָ֥ע (bə·’eḏ·rā‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 153: An arm, power

stopped
וּבַטִּ֥לוּ (ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 989: To cease

them.
הִמּ֖וֹ (him·mōw)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1994: They

• It seems that their enemies have won!
• They are going to stop them!
• And they do it as fast as possible!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:24

Thus
בֵּאדַ֗יִן (bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the construction
עֲבִידַ֣ת (‘ă·ḇî·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5673: Labor, business

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֔א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (bî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

ceased,
בְּטֵלַת֙ (bə·ṭê·laṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

and it remained
וַהֲוָת֙ (wa·hă·wāṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

at a standstill
בָּֽטְלָ֔א (bā·ṭə·lā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

until
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

the second
תַּרְתֵּ֔ין (tar·tên)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8648: Two

year
שְׁנַ֣ת (šə·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140: A year

of the reign
לְמַלְכ֖וּת (lə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

of King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4430: A king

Darius
דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ (dā·rə·yā·weš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1868: Darius -- two person kings

of Persia.
פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6540: Persians -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

• Thus the reconstruction of the house of Yah.weh ceased until the second year of the reign of king Darius!

https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1271&context=jvbl

The construction of the Temple was halted for about 18 years, and it was not until the ascension of Darius I to the Persian throne that the rebuilding was resumed. In the second year of King Darius, the prophet Haggai urged the Jews to erect the Second Temple (Haggai 1:1).

• Definitely a long time!
• And quite stressful!