• We strive to be a place where there can be honest discussion, debate and fellowship. The rules are few so you can speak your mind. We know we are living in tough times and we hope to share answers and help with each other. Please join us.

LOOKING FOR EZRA

Ezra 4:8

Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

and Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

wrote
כְּתַ֛בוּ (kə·ṯa·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3790: To grave, to write

a
חֲדָ֖ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

letter
אִגְּרָ֥ה (’ig·gə·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 104: An epistle

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

to King
מַלְכָּ֖א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

as follows:
כְּנֵֽמָא׃ (kə·nê·mā)
Adverb
Strong's 3660: Accordingly, as follows

  • A commander and a scribe send a letter against Jerusalem to Ataxerxes!
  • Everything is well organized!
 
Ezra 4:9

From Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֖ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of their associates—
כְּנָוָתְה֑וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

the judges
דִּ֠ינָיֵא (dî·nā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1784: A Dinaite

and officials
וַאֲפַרְסַתְכָיֵ֞א (wa·’ă·p̄ar·saṯ·ḵā·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 671: An Apharsekite, Apharsathkite

over Tripolis,
טַרְפְּלָיֵ֣א (ṭar·pə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2967: Official (a person title)

Persia,
אֲפָֽרְסָיֵ֗א (’ă·p̄ā·rə·sā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 670: An Apherasite

Erech
אַרְכְּוָיֵ֤א (’ar·kə·wā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 756: Erech -- inhabitants of Erech

and Babylon,
בָבְלָיֵא֙ (ḇā·ḇə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 896: Babylonians -- a Babylonian

the Elamites
עֵלְמָיֵֽא׃ (‘ê·lə·mā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5962: Elamites -- inhabitants of Elam

of Susa,
שֽׁוּשַׁנְכָיֵ֔א (šū·šan·ḵā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7801: Susa -- a Shushankite

  • We are told about the different opponents ofv the reconstruction of Jerusalem!
  • A commander!
  • A scribe!
  • Their associates!
  • Judges and officials!
  • Quite real!
 
Ezra 4:10

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of the peoples
אֻמַּיָּ֗א (’um·may·yā)
Noun - feminine plural determinate
Strong's 524: A collection, community of persons

whom
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the great
רַבָּ֣א (rab·bā)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7229: Abundant

and honorable
וְיַקִּירָ֔א (wə·yaq·qî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3358: Honorable, difficult

Ashurbanipal
אָסְנַפַּר֙ (’ā·sə·nap·par)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 620: Osnappar -- an Assyrian king

relocated
הַגְלִי֙ (haḡ·lî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1541: To denude, to exile, to reveal

and settled
וְהוֹתֵ֣ב (wə·hō·w·ṯêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in the cities
בְּקִרְיָ֖ה (bə·qir·yāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

Samaria
שָׁמְרָ֑יִן (šā·mə·rā·yin)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and
וּשְׁאָ֥ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

elsewhere west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Aššur-bāni-apli, meaning "Ashur is the creator of the heir") was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 669 BCE to his death in 631. He is generally remembered as the last great king of Assyria.

  • More opponents in Samaria and west of the Euphrates!
 
Ezra 4:11

(This
דְּנָה֙ (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

is the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֣גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
אִגַּרְתָּ֔א (’ig·gar·tā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 104: An epistle

they sent
שְׁלַ֣חוּ (šə·la·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to him.)
עֲל֔וֹהִי (‘ă·lō·w·hî)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

King
מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes,
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּא (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

From your servants,
עַבְדָ֛יךְ‪‬‪‬ (‘aḇ·ḏā·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5649: Slave, servant

the men
אֱנָ֥שׁ (’ĕ·nāš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 606: Man, mankind

west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates


  • Interesting to have the letter of their opponents to the king!
  • It is so real!
  • That’s definitely the interest of the Bible!
  • We are told about good and bad actions!
 
Ezra 4:12

Let it be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the Jews
יְהוּדָיֵ֗א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

who
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

came
סְלִ֙קוּ֙ (sə·li·qū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5559: To ascend

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

you
לְוָתָ֔ךְ (lə·wā·ṯāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3890: Adhesion, with

have returned
אֲת֖וֹ (’ă·ṯōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 858: To arrive

to us
עֲלֶ֥ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

at Jerusalem.
לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And they are rebuilding
תתן־ (bā·na·yin)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1124: To build

that rebellious
מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א (mā·rā·ḏə·tā)
Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

and wicked
ובאישתא (ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 873: Wicked

city,
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

restoring
אשכללו (šaḵ·li·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

its walls,
ושורי (wə·šū·ray·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

and repairing
יַחִֽיטוּ׃ (ya·ḥî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2338: To string together, to repair

its foundations.
וְאֻשַּׁיָּ֖א (wə·’uš·šay·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 787: A foundation

  • The opponents speak about the rebellious and wicked city of Jerusalem!

  • They speak about the reconstruction of the walls and of the foundations!
 
Ezra 4:13

Let it now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

that
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

they will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

pay
יִנְתְּנ֔וּן (yin·tə·nūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5415: To give

tribute,
מִנְדָּֽה־ (min·dāh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֤וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

or toll,
וַהֲלָךְ֙ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

and the royal
מַלְכִ֖ים (mal·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

treasury
וְאַפְּתֹ֥ם (wə·’ap·pə·ṯōm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 674: Revenue, others at the last

will suffer.
תְּהַנְזִֽק׃ (tə·han·ziq)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury


  • They say that Jerusalem will rebel and won’t pay tribute, duty and toll!
  • As a consequence, the royal treasury will suffer!
  • Past history is there to testify!
 
Ezra 4:14

Now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

because
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

we are in the service
מְלַ֔חְנָא (mə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4415: To eat salt, subsist

of the palace
הֵֽיכְלָא֙ (hê·ḵə·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1965: A large public building, palace, temple

and it is not fitting
אֲ‍ֽרִֽיךְ (’ărîḵ-)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 749: Fitting, proper

for us
לַ֖נָא (la·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

to allow
לְמֶֽחֱזֵ֑א (lə·me·ḥĕ·zê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

the king
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

to be dishonored,
וְעַרְוַ֣ת (wə·‘ar·waṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6173: Nakedness, impoverishment

we have sent
שְׁלַ֖חְנָא (šə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to inform
וְהוֹדַ֥עְנָא (wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּֽא׃ (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king


  • They try to attract the attention of the king by saying he would be dishonored!
  • They try to make him think of his personal interests!
  • But it has nothing to do with that!
  • They are just opponents!
  • Anything will do so they can get what they want!
 
Ezra 4:15

that
דִּ֡י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

a search should be made
יְבַקַּר֩ (yə·ḇaq·qar)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

of the record
דָּכְרָ֨נַיָּ֜א (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּֽסְפַר־ (bis·p̄ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

your fathers.
אֲבָהָתָ֗ךְ (’ă·ḇā·hā·ṯāḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2: Father

[In these]
דָּכְרָנַיָּא֮ (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּסְפַ֣ר (bis·p̄ar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

you will discover
וּ֠תְהַשְׁכַּח (ū·ṯə·haš·kaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7912: To discover

and verify
וְתִנְדַּע֒ (wə·ṯin·da‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

that
דִּי֩ (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the city
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is a rebellious
מָֽרָדָ֗א (mā·rā·ḏā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

city,
קִרְיָ֣א (qir·yā)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

harmful
וּֽמְהַנְזְקַ֤ת (ū·mə·han·zə·qaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

to kings
מַלְכִין֙ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

and provinces,
וּמְדִנָ֔ן (ū·mə·ḏi·nān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4083: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

inciting
עָבְדִ֣ין (‘ā·ḇə·ḏîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep

sedition
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּוּר֙ (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

ancient
עָלְמָ֑א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times.
יוֹמָ֖ת (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

That is why
עַ֨ל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

this
דָ֜ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

was destroyed.
הָֽחָרְבַֽת׃ (hā·ḥā·rə·ḇaṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2718: To be a waste


  • And they ask the king to check what they say in the books of his fathers!
  • And in fact, it is true!
  • So it is a good argument!
  • They look for their own interests but they use good arguments!
  • Of course, against their opponents!
 
Ezra 4:16

We
אֲנַ֙חְנָה֙ (’ă·naḥ·nāh)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 586: We

advise
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין (mə·hō·wḏ·‘în)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

you will have
אִיתַ֖י (’î·ṯay)
Adverb
Strong's 383: Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is

no
לָ֥א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

dominion
חֲלָק֙ (ḥă·lāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2508: Portion, possession

west
בַּעֲבַ֣ר (ba·‘ă·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֔א (na·hă·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates


- They tell the king that if he lets the city be rebuilt with its walls, he will lose control of the city!
- Thus it is against his own interests!
- Meaning it can start with jerusalem and then spread to other cities and countries!
 
Ezra 4:17

[Then] the king
מַלְכָּ֗א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

sent
שְׁלַ֣ח (šə·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

this reply:
פִּתְגָמָ֞א (piṯ·ḡā·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 6600: A word, answer, letter, decree

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Rehum
רְח֤וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֣י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָר֙ (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of your associates
כְּנָוָ֣תְה֔וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

living
יָתְבִ֖ין (yā·ṯə·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in Samaria
בְּשָֽׁמְרָ֑יִן (bə·šā·mə·rā·yin)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and elsewhere
וּשְׁאָ֧ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

in the region west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֛ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Greetings.
שְׁלָ֖ם (šə·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8001: Welfare, prosperity

  • The king answers them!
 
Ezra 4:18

The letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕א (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

you sent
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן (šə·laḥ·tūn)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

us
עֲלֶ֑ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

has been translated
מְפָרַ֥שׁ (mə·p̄ā·raš)
Verb - Piel - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6568: To make distinct

and read
קֱרִ֖י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

in my presence.
קָדָמָֽי׃ (qā·ḏā·māy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 6925: Before

  • The letter has been translated and read before the king!
  • It takes it seriously!
 
Ezra 4:19

I issued
שִׂ֣ים (śîm)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

a decree,
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

and a search was conducted.
וּבַקַּ֣רוּ (ū·ḇaq·qa·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

It was discovered
וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ (wə·haš·ka·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7912: To discover

that
דִּ֚י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

this
דָ֔ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֣א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

has revolted
מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה (miṯ·naś·śə·’āh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5376: To lift, take, carry

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

kings
מַלְכִ֖ין (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

from ancient
עָֽלְמָ֔א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times,
יוֹמָת֙ (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

engaging in rebellion
וּמְרַ֥ד (ū·mə·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4776: Rebellion

and sedition.
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

  • Jerusalem has a history of rebellion and sedition!
  • Thus it is not only against Yah.weh!
  • It is something natural for the people!
  • It has always been so!
  • And it is well known by everybody!
  • In fact, it started with Jacob’s sons!
  • Despite their bad actions, they were protected by Yah.weh!
  • Otherwise their history would have stopped from the beginning!
 
Ezra 4:20

And mighty
תַּקִּיפִ֗ין (taq·qî·p̄în)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8624: Strong, mighty

kings
וּמַלְכִ֣ין (ū·mal·ḵîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

have ruled over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and exercised authority
וְשַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין (wə·šal·lî·ṭîn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7990: Mighty, permission, a premier

over the whole
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

region west
עֲבַ֣ר (‘ă·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֑ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

and tribute,
וּמִדָּ֥ה (ū·mid·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֛וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

and toll
וַהֲלָ֖ךְ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

were paid
מִתְיְהֵ֥ב (miṯ·yə·hêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

to them.
לְהֽוֹן׃ (lə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

  • Here we are told about mighty kings ruling over Jerusalem!
  • And taxes were paid to them!
  • Thus here it takes into account everything!
 
Ezra 4:21

Now, therefore,
כְּעַן֙ (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

issue
שִׂ֣ימוּ (śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7761: To set, make

an order
טְּעֵ֔ם (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

for these
אִלֵּ֑ךְ (’il·lêḵ)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 479: These

men
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א (guḇ·ray·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1400: A person

to stop,
לְבַטָּלָ֖א (lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 989: To cease

so that this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
וְקִרְיְתָ֥א (wə·qir·yə·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

be rebuilt
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א (ṯiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

I
מִנִּ֖י (min·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

so order.
טַעְמָ֥א (ṭa‘·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2941: Account, to be commanded, commandment, matter


  • Here it seems that their enemies have won!
  • The reconstruction is stopped!
  • The arguments have worked!
 
Ezra 4:22

See that you
וּזְהִירִ֥ין (ū·zə·hî·rîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2095: Be admonished

do not neglect
שָׁל֖וּ (šā·lū)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7960: Neglect, remissness

this matter.
דְּנָ֑ה (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

Why
לְמָה֙ (lə·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4101: Interrogative what?, what!, indefinitely what

allow this threat
חֲבָלָ֔א (ḥă·ḇā·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2257: A hurt, injury

to increase
יִשְׂגֵּ֣א (yiś·gê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7680: To grow great

and the royal
מַלְכִֽין׃ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

interests to suffer?
לְהַנְזָקַ֖ת (lə·han·zā·qaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

  • Everything is against the city!
  • Not only Yah.weh!
  • We should remember that!
  • It is difficult to build up a good reputation!
  • It is easy to ruin it!
 
Ezra 4:23

When
אֱדַ֗יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin)
Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֤גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָא֙ (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

from King
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

was read
קֱרִ֧י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

to
קֳדָם־ (qo·ḏām-)
Preposition
Strong's 6925: Before

Rehum,
רְח֛וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֥י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָפְרָ֖א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and their associates,
וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

they went
אֲזַ֨לוּ (’ă·za·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 236: To go, go off

immediately
בִבְהִיל֤וּ (ḇiḇ·hî·lū)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 924: A hurry, hastily

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

in Jerusalem
לִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙ (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and forcibly
בְּאֶדְרָ֥ע (bə·’eḏ·rā‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 153: An arm, power

stopped
וּבַטִּ֥לוּ (ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 989: To cease

them.
הִמּ֖וֹ (him·mōw)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1994: They


  • It seems that their enemies have won!
  • They are going to stop them!
  • And they do it as fast as possible!
 
Ezra 4:24

Thus
בֵּאדַ֗יִן (bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the construction
עֲבִידַ֣ת (‘ă·ḇî·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5673: Labor, business

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֔א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (bî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

ceased,
בְּטֵלַת֙ (bə·ṭê·laṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

and it remained
וַהֲוָת֙ (wa·hă·wāṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

at a standstill
בָּֽטְלָ֔א (bā·ṭə·lā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

until
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

the second
תַּרְתֵּ֔ין (tar·tên)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8648: Two

year
שְׁנַ֣ת (šə·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140: A year

of the reign
לְמַלְכ֖וּת (lə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

of King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4430: A king

Darius
דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ (dā·rə·yā·weš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1868: Darius -- two person kings

of Persia.
פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6540: Persians -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon


  • Thus the reconstruction of the house of Yah.weh ceased until the second year of the reign of king Darius!

https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1271&context=jvbl

The construction of the Temple was halted for about 18 years, and it was not until the ascension of Darius I to the Persian throne that the rebuilding was resumed. In the second year of King Darius, the prophet Haggai urged the Jews to erect the Second Temple (Haggai 1:1).

  • Definitely a long time!
  • And quite stressful!
 
Ezra 5:1

Later, the prophets
נְבִיָּ֗א (nə·ḇî·yā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5013: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration, to prophesy, speak, by inspiration

Haggai
חַגַּ֣י (ḥag·gay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2292: Haggai -- 'festal', a Hebrew prophet

and Zechariah
וּזְכַרְיָ֤ה (ū·zə·ḵar·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2148: Zachariah -- the name of a number of Israelites

son
בַר־ (ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Iddo
עִדּוֹא֙ (‘id·dō·w)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5714: Iddo -- 'timely', the name of several Israelites

prophesied
וְהִתְנַבִּ֞י (wə·hiṯ·nab·bî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5013: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration, to prophesy, speak, by inspiration

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

in Judah
בִיה֖וּד (ḇî·hūḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3061: Judah -- the southern kingdom, named for one of the twelve tribes

and Jerusalem
וּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (ū·ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

in the name
בְּשֻׁ֛ם (bə·šum)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8036: A name

of the God
אֱלָ֥הּ (’ĕ·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 426: God

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3479: Israel -- descendant of Jacob

who was over them.
עֲלֵיהֽוֹן׃ (‘ă·lê·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

- Here we are told about two prophets:

- Haggai and Zechariah!

- And they prophesied!
 
Ezra 5:2

Then
בֵּאדַ֡יִן (bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

Zerubbabel
זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל (zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2217: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', leader of returning Israelite exiles

son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Shealtiel
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ (šə·’al·tî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7598: Shealtiel -- 'I have asked of God', an Israelite name

and Jeshua
וְיֵשׁ֣וּעַ (wə·yê·šū·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3443: Jeshua -- a high priest after the Babylonian captivity

son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Jozadak
יֽוֹצָדָ֔ק (yō·w·ṣā·ḏāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3136: Jotsadak

rose up
קָ֠מוּ (qā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6966: To arise, stand

and began
וְשָׁרִ֣יו (wə·šā·rîw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8271: To free, separate, to unravel, commence, to reside

to rebuild
לְמִבְנֵ֔א (lə·miḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1124: To build

the house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֖א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem.
בִירֽוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And the prophets
נְבִיַּיָּ֥א (nə·ḇî·yay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 5029: A prophet

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

God
אֱלָהָ֖א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

were with them,
וְעִמְּה֛וֹן (wə·‘im·mə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5974: With, equally with

helping them.
מְסָעֲדִ֥ין (mə·sā·‘ă·ḏîn)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5583: To support, sustain

  • Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuild the house of yah.weh in Jerusalem!
  • And the prophets are with them, helping them!
 
Ezra 5:3

At that time
זִמְנָא֩ (zim·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2166: An appointed occasion

Tattenai
תַּ֠תְּנַי (tat·tə·nay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8674: Tattenai

the governor
פַּחַ֧ת (pa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6347: A governor

of the region west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֛ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Shethar-bozenai,
בּוֹזְנַ֖י (bō·wz·nay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8370: Shethar-bozenai -- a person official

and their associates
וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

went
אֲתָ֨א (’ă·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 858: To arrive

to
עֲלֵיה֜וֹן (‘ă·lê·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews and asked,
אָמְרִ֣ין (’ā·mə·rîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command

“Who
מַן־ (man-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4479: Who, what

authorized you
שָׂ֨ם (śām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

to rebuild
לִבְּנֵ֔א (lib·bə·nê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1124: To build

this
דְנָה֙ (ḏə·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

temple
בַּיְתָ֤א (bay·ṯā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1005: A house

and restore
לְשַׁכְלָלָֽה׃ (lə·šaḵ·lā·lāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3635: To complete

this
דְנָ֖ה (ḏə·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

structure?”
וְאֻשַּׁרְנָ֥א (wə·’uš·šar·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 846: Perhaps a wall

  • Once again we are told about opponents to the Jews!
  • They are ready to do anything to stop the Jews!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top