Ezra 4:6

ยถ 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.

And in the reign {H4438} of Ahasuerus {H325}, in the beginning {H8462} of his reign {H4438}, wrote {H3789} they unto him an accusation {H7855} against the inhabitants {H3427} of Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389}.

During the reign of Achashverosh, at the beginning of his reign, they brought a charge in writing against the people living in Y'hudah and Yerushalayim.

At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context of Ezra 4:6

Ezra 4:6 is situated within a section of the book of Ezra that details the significant opposition faced by the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. While the initial opposition described in Ezra 4:1-5 occurred during the reigns of Cyrus and Darius I, this particular verse makes a chronological jump. It introduces an accusation made during the reign of King Ahasuerus, who is historically identified as Xerxes I. This interjection serves to illustrate the ongoing and persistent nature of the hostility the Jewish community encountered across different Persian kings' reigns, highlighting a long history of attempts to thwart their efforts to restore Jerusalem and its sacred structures.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistent Opposition: The verse underscores that the adversaries of the Jewish people were relentless, seizing every opportunity to hinder the rebuilding work, even across different royal administrations.
  • The Power of Accusation: It reveals how false accusations and slander were used as a primary weapon to undermine God's work and discourage His people. Such tactics aimed to sow distrust and provoke governmental intervention.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Beyond political maneuvering, this opposition can be seen as a manifestation of spiritual resistance against God's plan for His people and the restoration of His dwelling place.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "accusation" is sitnah (ืฉึดื‚ื˜ึฐื ึธื”), which carries a strong sense of slander, enmity, or hostile opposition. It implies a formal charge intended to cause harm or bring about a negative judgment. This term is closely related to the root of the word "Satan" (ืฉึธื‚ื˜ึธืŸ, satan), meaning "adversary" or "accuser," highlighting the malevolent nature of the charges brought against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

Historical Significance and Cross-References

King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) reigned from 486-465 BC, chronologically between Darius I (under whom the Temple rebuilding was completed, as seen in Ezra 6:15) and Artaxerxes I (during whose reign Ezra and Nehemiah later arrived). This verse, along with the subsequent account of a letter to Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7-23, acts as a literary device within Ezra to demonstrate the *continuum* of opposition. Even after the Temple was rebuilt, hostility persisted against the broader restoration of Judah and Jerusalem, including the city walls. This pattern of using official channels for false accusations is also evident in Nehemiah's time, where Sanballat and Tobiah sent similar letters to Artaxerxes.

Practical Application

Ezra 4:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • Opposition is Inevitable: When God's people are engaged in His work, opposition, often in the form of false accusations or slander, is to be expected (John 15:20).
  • Discernment is Key: We must be discerning about the source and nature of criticism, recognizing that some opposition aims to halt divine purposes.
  • Perseverance is Essential: Just as the Jewish exiles faced ongoing challenges, believers are called to persevere in faith and in their calling, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate His work and His people.
The verse encourages us to remain steadfast, knowing that truth and God's sovereign plan will ultimately prevail over accusations.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 9:1

    ยถ In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

  • Esther 1:1

    ยถ Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

  • Matthew 27:37

    And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • Revelation 12:10

    And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

  • Acts 25:7

    And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

  • Acts 24:5

    For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

  • Acts 24:9

    And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
โ† Back