King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
(This is the text of the letter they sent him.) "To Artach'shashta the king from his servants the people beyond the River:
Berean Standard Bible:
(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:
American Standard Version:
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
This{H1836} is the copy{H6573} of the letter{H104} that{H1768} they sent{H7972} unto him{H5922}, even unto Artaxerxes{H783} the king{H4430}; Thy servants{H5649} the men{H606} on this side{H5675} the river{H5103}, and at such a time{H3706}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Ezra 4:11
Ezra 4:11 is a verse that captures a moment in the historical narrative of the Jewish people during their return from exile in Babylon. The context is the period following the decree by King Cyrus of Persia, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The verse specifically references a letter sent to King Artaxerxes, who succeeded Cyrus.
In this letter, the authors, identified as adversaries of the Jews, are writing to the king to report on the activities of the Jewish returnees who were living in the region west of the Euphrates River, hence "the men on this side the river." The historical setting is significant because it reflects the tension and opposition that the Jews faced from other local groups as they sought to restore their homeland and religious practices.
The themes of the verse include:
1. **Political Intrigue**: The letter represents an attempt to influence the king's policy towards the Jews. It reflects the political maneuvering that was common in the ancient world's empires, where local governors and officials would communicate with the central authority to either gain support for their causes or to undermine their opponents.
2. **Opposition to Restoration**: The verse hints at the broader conflict between the returning exiles and the inhabitants of the land, who were opposed to the reestablishment of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple. This opposition would eventually lead to the cessation of the work on the Temple until the reigns of Darius and later Artaxerxes, when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah would encourage the resumption of the work.
3. **Religious Identity and Nationalism**: The Jews' efforts to rebuild the Temple were not merely construction projects but were central to the restoration of their religious identity and national life. The opposition to this work was, therefore, an attack on their cultural and religious integrity.
4. **Divine Providence**: From a theological perspective, the challenges faced by the Jews, as documented in this letter, can be seen as part of the larger biblical narrative of God's providence over His people. Despite the obstacles, the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of Jerusalem were part of the fulfillment of prophetic promises.
In summary, Ezra 4:11 is a snapshot of the political and social challenges faced by the Jewish people as they sought to re-establish their presence in the land of Israel after the Babylonian exile. It captures the tension between the returnees and their neighbors, the complexities of imperial governance, and the ongoing struggle of the Jewish people to maintain their religious and national identity in the face of external opposition.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1836
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֵּן
Transliteration: dên
Pronunciation: dane
Description: (Aramaic) an orthographical variation of דֵּךְ; this; (afore-) time, [phrase] after this manner, here (-after), one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), [phrase] thus, where(-fore), which. - Strong's Number: H6573
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְשֶׁגֶן
Transliteration: parshegen
Pronunciation: par-sheh'-ghen
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to פַּרְשֶׁגֶן; {a transcript}; copy. - Strong's Number: H104
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִגְּרָא
Transliteration: ʼiggᵉrâʼ
Pronunciation: ig-er-aw'
Description: (Aramaic) of Persian origin; an epistle (as carried by a state courier or postman); letter. - Strong's Number: H1768
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דִּי
Transliteration: dîy
Pronunciation: dee
Description: (Aramaic) apparently for דָּא; that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of; [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. - Strong's Number: H7972
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁלַח
Transliteration: shᵉlach
Pronunciation: shel-akh'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁלַח; {to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)}; put, send. - Strong's Number: H5922
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַל
Transliteration: ʻal
Pronunciation: al
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to עַל; {above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications}; about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. - Strong's Number: H783
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא
Transliteration: ʼArtachshashtâʼ
Pronunciation: ar-takh-shash-taw'
Description: or אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתְּא; or by permutation אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא; of foreign origin; Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings; Artaxerxes. - Strong's Number: H4430
There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to מֶלֶךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H5649
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבַד
Transliteration: ʻăbad
Pronunciation: ab-bad'
Description: (Aramaic) from עֲבַד; a servant; servant. - Strong's Number: H606
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנָשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnâsh
Pronunciation: en-awsh'
Description: (Aramaic) or אֱנַשׁ; (Aramaic), corresponding to אֱנוֹשׁ; a man; man, [phrase] whosoever. - Strong's Number: H5675
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבַר
Transliteration: ʻăbar
Pronunciation: ab-ar'
Description: (Aramaic) corresponding to עֵבֶר; {properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east)}; beyond, this side. - Strong's Number: H5103
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נְהַר
Transliteration: nᵉhar
Pronunciation: neh-har'
Description: (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to נָהַר; a river, especially the Euphrates; river, stream. - Strong's Number: H3706
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּעֶנֶת
Transliteration: kᵉʻeneth
Pronunciation: keh-eh'-neth
Description: (Aramaic) or כְּעֶת; (Aramaic), feminine of כְּעַן; thus (only in the formula 'and so forth'); at such a time.