King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But Z'rubavel, Yeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers' clans in Isra'el answered them, "You and we have nothing in common that you should join us in building a house for our God. We will build by ourselves for ADONAI the God of Isra'el, as Koresh king of Persia ordered us to do."
Berean Standard Bible:
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.”
American Standard Version:
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us in building a house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But Zerubbabel{H2216}, and Jeshua{H3442}, and the rest{H7605} of the chief{H7218} of the fathers{H1} of Israel{H3478}, said{H559} unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build{H1129} an house{H1004} unto our God{H430}; but we ourselves together{H3162} will build{H1129} unto the LORD{H3068} God{H430} of Israel{H3478}, as king{H4428} Cyrus{H3566} the king{H4428} of Persia{H6539} hath commanded{H6680} us.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 2:20
- Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
John 4:22
- Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:23
- But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Isaiah 45:4
- For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
Isaiah 44:28
- That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45:1
- ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
3 John 1:9
- ¶ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
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Commentary for Ezra 4:3
Ezra 4:3 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the post-exilic history of the Israelites. After the Babylonian exile, King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed during the conquest of the city by the Babylonians. This verse specifically addresses the response of the Jewish leaders—Zerubbabel, the governor, and Jeshua, the high priest, along with other heads of families—to an offer from other local groups to assist in the construction of the Temple.
The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God as exercised through the Persian king's decree, the exclusivity of the Jewish community in their worship and religious practices, and the determination of the Israelites to maintain the purity of their faith. By declining the offer of help, the leaders assert their intention to rebuild the Temple solely by the hands of the returned exiles, as commanded by Cyrus. This reflects their desire to remain separate from the surrounding peoples, who may have had different religious practices and beliefs that could potentially compromise the worship of the God of Israel.
Historically, this verse underscores the tension between the Israelites and their neighbors, a tension that would continue to affect the region. It also highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish community in reestablishing their religious and national identity after a period of displacement and captivity. The rejection of outside help in the rebuilding of the Temple is a testament to their commitment to their faith and the importance of the Temple as a symbol of God's presence with His people. Ezra 4:3 thus encapsulates a moment of religious and national affirmation for the Israelites in a time of restoration and transition.
*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: H2216
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְרֻבָּבֶל
Transliteration: Zᵉrubbâbel
Pronunciation: zer-oob-baw-bel'
Description: from זָרַב and בָּבֶל; descended of (i.e. from) Babylon, i.e. born there; Zerubbabel, an Israelite; Zerubbabel. - Strong's Number: H3442
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁוּעַ
Transliteration: Yêshûwaʻ
Pronunciation: yay-shoo'-ah
Description: for יְהוֹשׁוּעַ; he will save; Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites, also of a place in Palestine; Jeshua. - Strong's Number: H7605
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁאָר
Transliteration: shᵉʼâr
Pronunciation: sheh-awr'
Description: from שָׁאַר; a remainder; [idiom] other, remnant, residue, rest. - Strong's Number: H7218
There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹאשׁ
Transliteration: rôʼsh
Pronunciation: roshe
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H1129
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּנָה
Transliteration: bânâh
Pronunciation: baw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H3162
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַחַד
Transliteration: yachad
Pronunciation: yakh'-ad
Description: from יָחַד; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly; alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H3566
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כּוֹרֶשׁ
Transliteration: Kôwresh
Pronunciation: ko'-resh
Description: or (Ezra 1:1 (last time),2) כֹּרֶשׁ; from the Persians; Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king; Cyrus. - Strong's Number: H6539
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַס
Transliteration: Pâraç
Pronunciation: paw-ras'
Description: of foreign origin; Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants; Persia, Persians. - Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.