Adversaries
Oppose the Rebuilding
Now
when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of
the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Ezr.
4:1
the
adversaries of...
As usual, when God begins to bless His people, the devil raises up
adversaries to oppose His work. Here the enemies of Israel came
posing as friends and worshipers of Jehovah, and offered to build
with them. They bragged about worshiping Jehovah from the days of
Esarhaddon, son of Sennacherib, king of Assyria (Ezr. 4:1-20). A
priest had been sent to them many years before but the Samaritans
didn’t know the Lord. Rather, they "feared the Lord, and
served their graven images" (2Ki. 17:28-41).
Then
they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said
unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do;
and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of
Assur, which brought us up hither. Ezr. 4:2
The
“enemies” (called “the peoples around them,” Ezr. 4:4) were
the descendants of these mixed peoples and the forefathers of the New
Testament Samaritans. These people in Ezra’s day claimed that they
worshiped the same God, that is, Yahweh, the God of Israel. But they
had a syncretistic form of worship; they worshiped both Yahweh and
others (2Ki. 17:29, 17:32-34, 17:41). Therefore their statement (Ezr.
4:2) was not fully accurate and was apparently made to mislead the
leadership of the returned band. Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who
brought us here, was the Assyrian monarch who aggressively pursued
the policy of partial deportation and to whose reign these enemies
could trace their ancestry in Israel.
But
Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of
Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an
house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the
LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded
us. Ezr. 4:3
Ye
have nothing...
The Samaritans’ offer was rejected by the elders because Israel
wanted to remain a separate people. This was what God had required of
Israel from the very beginning. They were to be a separate people in
all phases of life and an example of God to all nations. On the
whole, they have never intermarried. God permitted intermarriage and
even blessed such on rare occasions, but the practice for the nation
was contrary to His law and will (Deut. 7:3). As Israel we the bride
of Christ (Church) are to separate from the world and an example to
all nations to arouse their need to salvation.
Then
the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and
troubled them in building, Ezr. 4:4
Then
the people...
Since their offer to help build the temple was rejected, the
adversaries tried other methods of weakening the will of the Jews to
build. They hired counselors who sought to turn Cyrus and Darius,
kings of Persia, against them (Ezr. 4:4-5). They accused the Jews of
building with the intent of rebellion, which they had done
historically, before their destruction (Ezr. 4:6-16).
And
hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the
days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of
Persia.
Ezr.
4:5
hired
counsellors against...
They hired men in the court of Cyrus and the other kings following
him, to try and stop, or at least delay, the restoration work.
days
of Cyrus...
This Cyrus must be identified with the one in Ezr. 1:1-4, or Cyrus
II, according to the Cylinder of Cyrus.
reign
of Darius...
This Darius must not be identified as Darius the Mede of Dan. 5:1-31,
who was the father of Cyrus and the husband of Queen Esther. He must
be identified as Darius Hystaspis, the ninth of the Kings of Persia.
He was the third king after Cyrus.
And
in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they
unto
him
an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezr.
4:6
reign
of Ahasuerus...
This could not refer to the Ahasuerus of Est. 1:1, who was the father
of Cyrus. Ahasuerus is simply a title meaning Mighty, one claimed by
several Persian kings. Here it may refer to Cambyses, the son of
Cyrus. It couldn’t refer to Cyrus himself, for he is mentioned in
this record (Ezr. 4:5); he was the one that decreed liberation for
Israel in the first year of his reign (Ezr. 1:1-4). Such a letter
would not have been written to him in the beginning of his reign, for
he had just made the decree at that time. It would be logical,
though, to write in such a manner to the next king in the beginning
of his reign. By then the Jews were back in Judah. No doubt it took
several years during the reign of Cyrus for them to return, get
settled, prepare materials and get started on the work. Cyrus reigned
for nine years and his son Cambyses reigned for seven years. Thus,
the work overlapped their reigns (see Ezr. 6:15).
The
Letter to King Artaxerxes
And
in the days of 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.
Ezr. 4:7
days
of Artaxerxes...
This was Hytaspes, the successor of Cambyses; he reigned for seven
months between Cambyses and Darius Hystaspis who is referred to in
Ezr. 4:24. He made a decree that the work should be discontinued, and
it was enforced. The work was stopped by force until the second year
of Darius Hystaspis (Ezr. 4:17-24) when the original decree of Cyrus
was investigated and confirmed (Ezr. 4:24; 5:1-6:18). Since Darius,
Ahasuerus, and Artaxerxes are just titles, any or all of them could
have been used by any of these kings. To decide who is definitely
referred to on the basis of such titles is impossible. We can only go
by the time element in such passages.
the
Syrian tongue...
This was Aramaic, a dialect of Damascus and a Semitic language akin
to the Hebrew, but sufficiently different to be unintelligible to the
common Jew (2Ki. 18:26).
Rehum
the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against
Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: Ezr. 4:8
Rehum
the chancellor...
The Lord of judgments—a title of the Persian governor of Samaria.
Every Persian governor was accompanied to the province by a royal
scribe, or secretary, who had a separate and independent authority.
wrote
a letter...
The text of Ezra 4:8-6:18 is in Aramaic (Syriac); Ezra 6:19-7:11 is
in Hebrew; and Ezr. 7:12-26 is in Aramaic (Syriac).
Then
wrote
Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their
companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the
Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the
Dehavites, and
the Elamites, Ezr. 4:9
rest
of their companions... These represent the eight different peoples
that settled in Samaria after the captivity of the ten tribes (2Ki.
17:1-41).
And
the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought
over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are
on this side the river, and at such a time. Ezr. 4:10
and
noble Asnappar...
Assurbanipal, the only Assyrian king who got into Elam and held
Shushan, the capital.
this
side the... This side—west of the Euphrates.
This
is
the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even
unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the
river, and at such a time. Ezr. 4:11
the
copy of... These letters were for no other purpose but to stir up
trouble between Artaxerxes and Judah.
The
writers of the letter (cf. This is a copy of the letter; Ezr. 4:23;
5:6; 7:11) identified with the Persian king by noting that they were
his servants. The letter itself is recorded in Ezr. 4:12-16. The
opponents noted that the Jews were restoring the walls and repairing
the foundations.
Be
it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us
are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city,
and have set up the walls thereof,
and joined the foundations. Ezr. 4:12
Be
it known... It was not actually this king who had sent them. Cyrus
was the king of Persia at the time they were sent to Jerusalem. The
Jews had rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, and that is what they were
reminding this evil king of here. They were not rebelling now, but
doing what Cyrus sent them to Jerusalem to do.
that
the Jews... This name was generally used after the Captivity because
the exiles who returned were mainly of Judah. Most of the people of
the 10 northern tribes were dispersed and the largest number of
returnees came from the two southern tribes.
rebellious and the... The
bad city, the choice of the word rebellious is important, because the
Persian Empire was continually plagued with rebellions during the
fifth century B.C., one notable one by Megabyzus of the
Trans-Euphrates area. Jerusalem had a history of rebellions against
foreign powers, such as those under Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:1), and
Zedekiah (2 Chron. 36:13), and even as far back as during the reigns
of Hezekiah and Manasseh (2 Chron. 32:33), in the days of the
Assyrians.
Be
it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the
walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and
custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the
kings. Ezr. 4:13
Be
it known... And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him
and his counsellors.
if
this city... Be builded, and its walls set up again, then will they
not pay toll, tribute, and custom": Being able to defend
themselves against the king's forces, sent to reduce them to their
obedience. These words take in all sorts of taxes and levies on
persons, goods, and merchandise.
and
so thou... It shall endamage the revenue of the kings; not only his
own, but his successors": This they thought would be a very
striking and powerful argument with him.
They
were trying to get this new king to stop Jerusalem from building a
wall of protection around it. The easiest way to get the attention of
this new king was to appeal to the loss of money from taxation of
this province. Of course, there had been no rebellion, but they were
not bothered with facts. They were trying to help themselves and not
the king of Persia.
Now
because we have maintenance from the
king's palace, and it
was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we
sent and certified the king; Ezr. 4:14
because
we have... Have posts under the king, to which salaries were annexed,
by which they were supported, and which they had from the king's
exchequer. Or "salt", as in the original, some places of
honor and trust formerly being paid in salt. Hence, as Pliny
observes, such honors and rewards were called "salaries".
and
it was... Would not meet for us to see the king's dishonor": To
see anything done injurious to his crown and dignity or to his honor
and revenues, when we are supported by him. This would be ungrateful
as well as unjust.
therefore
have we... Sent and certified the king": Of the truth of what is
before related; and, for the further confirmation of it, refer him to
the ancient records of the kingdom, as follows in verse 15.
They
are pretending to look after the interest of the king of Persia. They
eat salt that he had provided, is perhaps what is meant by
maintenance. They are pretending to be protecting the king's
interest.
That
search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so
shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city
is
a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that
they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause
was this city destroyed. Ezr. 4:15
book
of the... These records”: An administrative document called a
“memorandum” kept on file in the royal archives.
and hurtful
unto... A reference to Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonian
king Nebuchadnezzar (ca. 586 B.C.).
The
northern kingdom of Israel rebelled against the Assyrians (in 701
B.C.; 2 Kings 18:7), and Judah rebelled against the Babylonians (in
600 and 589 B.C.; 2 Kings 24:1, 20). The latter rebellion led to the
destruction of Jerusalem. The Jewish people never rebelled against
the Persians, because the Persians allowed them to worship the Lord.
within the
same... Nebuchadnezzar had come against Jerusalem, because the LORD
had turned him against His people. Their being unfaithful to God was
what caused their destruction. The records would possibly show a
rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, however.
We
certify the king that, if this city be builded again,
and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no
portion on this side the river. Ezr. 4:16
certify
the king...
Five assertions made to the king:
1.
They will not pay toll, tribute, or custom to you (Ezr. 4:13)
2.
You will be dishonored (Ezr. 4:14)
3.
Jerusalem has been a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings (Ezr.
4:15)
4.
The city was destroyed because of many rebellions
5.
You will have no portion on this side of the Euphrates (Ezr. 4:16)
and
the walls...
This is proof that the walls had not yet been completed. Therefore,
Neh. 1:1-7:4 had not been fulfilled up to this point in the events of
Ezra. Both the temple and the walls were in the process of being
built, and this was the reason for the opposition. Had the walls been
completed, the men who halted the work in the temple could have been
kept out (Ezr. 4:23).
The
King Orders the Work to Cease
Then
sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to
Shimshai the scribe, and to
the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto
the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. Ezr. 4:17
sent
the king... This affair, upon examination, being found to be of
importance, the king of Persia thought fit to send an answer to the
above letter, which was doing them an honor, and gave them the power
and authority they wished to have.
the
rest of... Of their companions that dwelt in Samaria": In the
kingdom, province, and cities of Samaria.
unto
the rest... Beyond the river, the River Euphrates and the rest of the
nations before mentioned (Ezr. 4:9).
Peace,
and at... That is, all health and prosperity.
The
letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. Ezr.
4:18
The
letter which... The plural number is used, being now become courtly
for kings thus to speak of themselves.
hath
been plainly... By such that understood both the Syrian and Persian
languages. The letter was written in the Syrian language, and the
king being a Persian, it was necessary it should be interpreted and
explained to him.
And
I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this
city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that
rebellion and sedition have been made therein. Ezr. 4:19
and
search hath...
The king searched and found the accusations against Judah and
Jerusalem to be true—mighty kings had ruled many countries from
this place and collected tribute from many lands (Ezr. 4:17-22).
made
insurrection against...
Judah had been guilty of several insurrections against foreign kings
who had sought to enslave them (2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chron. 35-36).
There
have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all
countries
beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
Ezr. 4:20
been
mighty kings...
Such as David, Solomon, Asa, Uzziah, Hezekiah, and others. And
the account of these they had in their records (see 2 Sam. 8:1).
and toll... As appears
from the places referred to. And this served to strengthen the
insinuation made to the king, that if these people were suffered to
go on building, he would lose his tribute and taxes in those parts.
paid unto them... This was
a true statement, that they did collect tribute. The remnant of the
people in Jerusalem now was not large enough to be a threat to
anyone, however.
Give
ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be
not builded, until another
commandment shall be given from me. Ezr. 4:21
Give
ye now...
After the letter and the search of Ezr. 4:19, the king commanded that
the work on the walls and temple cease. By this time about sixteen
years had passed since the decree of Cyrus in Ezr. 1:1-4. Thousands
of Jews had returned to Judah, much work on the walls had been done,
and the temple work was in progress. The entire decree of Cyrus was
canceled for the time being, until the second year of the new king,
which would be at least one to two more years (Ezr. 4:21-24).
until
another commandment...
"Until" implies that this commandment wasn’t final.
Evidently, further investigation was intended before final action
would be taken. This king, known as Gomates, the Pseudo-Smerdis, was
soon slain by Darius Hystaspis, the real heir to the throne. Search
continued until the second year of his reign when the final decree to
continue rebuilding the city and temple was given (Ezr.
4:24;
Ezr. 5:1-6:18).
Take
heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the
hurt of the kings? Ezr. 4:22
take
heed now... To put his orders into execution, and at once, without
any loss of time, oblige the Jews to desist from rebuilding the walls
of their city, which he was told they were doing, though a great
falsehood.
why
should damage...
Question 2. Next, Ezr. 5:3. Of him
and his successors, to be deprived of their toll, tribute, and
customs, and to have insurrections, mutinies, and rebellions, in the
dominions belonging to them.
They were to act
immediately upon this, so the king would suffer no loss.
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. Ezr. 4:23
they
went up...
The Jews could have resisted, but they would have hurt their cause by
doing exactly what they were accused of in the letter to Artaxerxes
(Ezr. 4:15-16). Instead, when they received definite word from the
king, they did what they thought best—temporarily suspended the
work (Ezr. 4:24). In the meantime, God was dealing with the new king,
Darius Hystaspis, to put it into his heart to allow the work that
Cyrus had decreed to continue.
Then
ceased the work of the house of God which is
at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of
Darius king of Persia. Ezr. 4:24
The
narrative now picks up where it left off after Ezr. 4:5 (Ezr. 4:6-23
are
a lengthy parenthesis).
The result of the opposition during Cyrus’ reign was that work on
the temple was suspended until the second year of… Darius (520
b.c.), some 18 years after the people had returned to the land for
the purpose of rebuilding the house of God.
