Ezra 4:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {H116} when {H4481}{H1768} the copy {H6573} of king {H4430} Artaxerxes {H783}' letter {H5407} was read {H7123} before {H6925} Rehum {H7348}, and Shimshai {H8124} the scribe {H5613}, and their companions {H3675}, they went up {H236} in haste {H924} to Jerusalem {H3390} unto {H5922} the Jews {H3062}, and made them {H1994} to cease {H989} by force {H153} and power {H2429}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the text of King Artach'shashta's letter was read before Rechum, Shimshai the secretary and their colleagues, they hurried to Yerushalayim to the Judeans and stopped their work by force of arms.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 4:23 vividly recounts the immediate and forceful implementation of King Artaxerxes' decree to halt the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Upon receiving the king's letter, Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates swiftly traveled to Jerusalem. There, they confronted the Jewish community and, through the exercise of imperial authority and physical might, compelled them to cease all construction work on the house of God, bringing a significant and disheartening pause to the post-exilic restoration efforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 4:23 concludes a significant narrative section (Ezra 4:7-23) detailing the adversaries' successful attempt to obstruct the Temple's reconstruction. Preceding this verse, Rehum and Shimshai, along with other officials, penned a letter to King Artaxerxes, falsely accusing the Jews of rebellious intentions and warning that a rebuilt Jerusalem would pose a threat to the Persian Empire's revenue and authority ([Ezra 4:11-16](/ezra/4-11 "Ezra 4:11-16 - The Adversaries' Letter to King Artaxerxes")). Artaxerxes, swayed by these accusations, issued a counter-decree ordering the immediate cessation of the work ([Ezra 4:17-22](/ezra/4-17 "Ezra 4:17-22 - King Artaxerxes' Decree to Stop the Work")). Verse 23, therefore, serves as the direct, swift, and forceful execution of that royal command, bringing the narrative of this particular phase of building to an abrupt and disheartening end. It sets the stage for the long period of inactivity that follows until the time of King Darius.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event unfolds in post-exilic Judah, likely around 458 BC, during the reign of Artaxerxes I (Longimanus). The Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem following Cyrus's decree ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree to Rebuild the Temple")) and begun rebuilding the Temple, a central act of national and religious restoration. However, they faced consistent opposition from "the people of the land"—various ethnic groups settled in Samaria and surrounding regions, who felt threatened by the re-establishment of Jewish autonomy and religious identity. The Persian Empire, vast and diverse, operated through a hierarchical administrative system where local governors and officials (like Rehum and Shimshai) wielded significant power, but ultimately answered to the king. Royal decrees were absolute and immediately enforceable, often by military or administrative force. The adversaries skillfully exploited Persian imperial concerns about potential rebellion and loss of tribute, leveraging the king's authority to achieve their local objectives.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 4:23 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent opposition to God's work**. The rebuilding of the Temple was clearly God's will, yet it met with fierce human resistance, demonstrating that divine purposes often encounter significant obstacles. Secondly, it underscores the **tension between human authority and divine sovereignty**. While earthly kings like Artaxerxes possess immense power to hinder or permit, the ultimate plan of God cannot be permanently thwarted. This temporary cessation foreshadows God's later intervention through prophets like Haggai and Zechariah to resume the work ([Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Resumption of Building Under Haggai and Zechariah")). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **vulnerability and resilience of God's people**. Despite being overwhelmed by superior force, the Jewish community, though discouraged, would eventually persevere, demonstrating the enduring nature of their faith and the covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Haste (Hebrew, _bivhilu'_):** This adverb highlights the immediate and urgent nature of the adversaries' response. Upon receiving the king's letter, there was no delay; they acted with swiftness, indicating their eagerness to enforce the decree and stop the Jewish work. This "haste" underscores the adversaries' malicious intent and their readiness to exploit the royal command to their full advantage.
* **Force (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This word often refers to military strength, an army, or physical might. Here, it signifies the use of overwhelming physical power or armed enforcement. It suggests that the cessation was not achieved through persuasion or negotiation but through a display of superior strength, implying the presence of soldiers or officials capable of physically preventing the work, intimidating the builders, and dismantling any ongoing construction.
* **Power (Hebrew, _choqef'_):** This term denotes authority, dominion, or decisive administrative control. While "force" speaks to physical might, "power" speaks to the legitimate (from the Persian perspective) governmental authority wielded by Rehum and Shimshai. They were not acting as mere thugs but as representatives of the king, backed by the full weight of the Persian Empire's legal and administrative system. The combination of "force and power" indicates a comprehensive and undeniable halt to the work, executed both physically and legally.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter [was] read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions":** This clause establishes the immediate catalyst for the action. The royal decree, which had been solicited by the adversaries themselves, now served as their instrument. The public reading of the letter before the key officials and their associates signifies the official and binding nature of the command, legitimizing their subsequent actions. It also implies a certain formality and public declaration of the king's will.
* **"they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews":** This describes the swift and direct movement of the officials from their administrative center (likely Samaria) to Jerusalem. The "haste" emphasizes their zeal and determination to execute the king's command without delay. Their destination, "unto the Jews," clearly identifies the target of the decree and their mission: to confront the community engaged in the rebuilding work.
* **"and made them to cease by force and power":** This is the climactic action of the verse, detailing the outcome of the officials' intervention. The phrase "made them to cease" indicates a direct, active imposition of the will of the Persian Empire upon the Jews. The dual emphasis on "force and power" underscores the comprehensive nature of the halt: it was not a voluntary cessation but an enforced one, backed by both the physical means (force) and the legitimate authority (power) of the imperial government. This action brought the Temple rebuilding to an abrupt and complete stop.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Ezra 4:23 employs **Dramatic Action** to convey the swift and decisive nature of the adversaries' intervention. The use of "in haste" and the direct declaration that they "made them to cease by force and power" creates a sense of immediacy and an undeniable shift in the narrative's trajectory. This abrupt cessation serves as a form of **Narrative Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing challenges and periods of discouragement that God's people would face throughout their history, yet also implicitly setting the stage for future divine intervention and the eventual triumph of God's plans. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the very officials who initiated the false accusations are now the instruments of the king's decree, believing they have achieved a victory, yet unaware that their temporary success will ultimately be overturned by God's sovereign will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 4:23 serves as a stark reminder of the reality of opposition to God's work in the world. It illustrates that even divinely ordained tasks can face significant human and political obstacles, often orchestrated by those who are hostile to God's purposes. This verse highlights the tension between the apparent triumph of human authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God. While earthly rulers and their decrees can temporarily halt spiritual endeavors, they cannot ultimately thwart God's overarching plan for His people and His kingdom. The forced cessation of the Temple rebuilding underscores the need for perseverance, faith, and reliance on God's timing, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly against His people. It implicitly points to the truth that God's promises will prevail, even if it requires periods of waiting or renewed prophetic encouragement.

* [Nehemiah 4:7-9](/nehemiah/4-7 "Nehemiah 4:7-9 - Opposition to Wall Rebuilding")
* [Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Counsel on God's Work")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 4:23 offers a profound lesson for believers today: pursuing God's will often involves encountering significant opposition. This opposition may not always manifest as direct physical force, but it can come in the form of bureaucratic hurdles, false accusations, cultural resistance, or even spiritual attacks designed to discourage and derail God's people. Like the Jews in Jerusalem, we may experience setbacks, delays, or periods where our efforts seem to be entirely halted by forces beyond our control. This verse calls us to acknowledge the reality of such resistance without succumbing to despair. It reminds us that even when human power seems to prevail, God remains sovereign. Our response should be one of patient endurance, continued prayer, and a steadfast trust that God's purposes will ultimately be accomplished, perhaps in ways and at times we do not expect. The broader narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah demonstrates that God's work, though sometimes paused, is never permanently defeated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of "force and power" might be used to oppose God's work in my life or community today?**
* **How do I respond when I encounter significant opposition or setbacks in my efforts to serve God?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's sovereignty versus human authority?**
* **How can I cultivate perseverance and faith during periods of forced cessation or discouragement?**

### FAQ

**How long did the Temple rebuilding cease after this event?**

Answer: The work on the Temple ceased for a significant period, lasting approximately 15 to 18 years. This period of inactivity continued until the second year of the reign of King Darius I (Hystaspes), which is around 520 BC. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah were instrumental in stirring up the people and their leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, to resume the building work, as recorded in [Ezra 5:1-2](/ezra/5-1 "Ezra 5:1-2 - Resumption of Building Under Haggai and Zechariah"). Their prophetic encouragement, coupled with a new royal decree from Darius confirming Cyrus's original edict, allowed the Temple construction to finally be completed in the sixth year of Darius's reign ([Ezra 6:15](/ezra/6-15 "Ezra 6:15 - Completion of the Temple")).

**Why did King Artaxerxes believe the adversaries' accusations so readily?**

Answer: King Artaxerxes' decision to halt the work was primarily driven by pragmatic imperial concerns rather than a thorough investigation of the truth. The adversaries' letter ([Ezra 4:11-16](/ezra/4-11 "Ezra 4:11-16 - The Adversaries' Letter to King Artaxerxes")) skillfully played on the Persian Empire's historical experience with rebellious provinces and its constant need to maintain control and collect tribute. They highlighted Jerusalem's past as a "rebellious city" ([Ezra 4:12](/ezra/4-12 "Ezra 4:12 - Jerusalem as a Rebellious City")) and warned that a rebuilt city would lead to a loss of revenue and potential insubordination ([Ezra 4:13-16](/ezra/4-13 "Ezra 4:13-16 - Warnings of Lost Revenue and Rebellion")). For a vast empire, preventing potential unrest and ensuring financial stability was paramount. It was easier and safer for Artaxerxes to issue a command to cease the work than to risk a potential uprising, especially given the distance and the nature of the reports he was receiving from his local officials.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 4:23, though depicting a setback for the Old Testament people of God, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan despite relentless opposition. The forced cessation of the Temple rebuilding foreshadows the intense hostility and "force and power" that would be arrayed against God's ultimate Temple—Jesus Christ Himself. From His birth, when Herod sought to destroy Him ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Massacre of the Innocents")), to His ministry, where He faced constant accusations and attempts to silence Him ([John 7:1](/john/7-1 "John 7:1 - Jesus Avoids Judea")), Christ endured the full force of human and spiritual opposition. The religious and political powers of His day conspired to "make Him cease" His work through crucifixion ([John 19:15-16](/john/19-15 "John 19:15-16 - Jesus Handed Over for Crucifixion")). Yet, just as the Temple rebuilding eventually resumed and was completed, Christ's work was not ultimately thwarted. His death was followed by His resurrection, demonstrating that no human "force or power" can overcome God's divine purpose ([Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23-24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). He is the true Temple, whose body was destroyed and raised in three days ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")), and through Him, God's people are built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The temporary setback in Ezra ultimately points to the eternal victory secured by Christ, ensuring that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church, His ongoing work in the world ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on the Rock")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 4:17

¶ [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.

Ezra 4:8

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

Ezra 4:9

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,

Romans 3:15

Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:

Micah 2:1

¶ 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.

Proverbs 4:16

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.