1.
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
the adversaries: These were the Samaritans, the descendants of the various nations with which the kings of Assyria had peopled Israel, when they had carried the original inhabitants captive. Ezra 7:9, 1 Kings 5:4, 1 Kings 5:5, 1 Chronicles 22:9, 1 Chronicles 22:10, Nehemiah 4:1-11, Daniel 9:25, 1 Corinthians 16:9
children of the captivity: Heb. sons of the transportation, Ezra 1:11, *marg. Ezra 6:16, Ezra 6:19, Ezra 6:20, Ezra 10:7, Ezra 10:16, Daniel 5:13
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 17:41 - unto this day Ezra 4:10 - And the rest Nehemiah 6:9 - Their hands Zechariah 1:19 - scattered Matthew 2:8 - that Luke 9:52 - the Samaritans John 4:9 - for
2.
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Zerubbabel: Ezra 1:5, Ezra 2:2, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 3:12
Let us: Proverbs 26:23-26, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 2:4, 2 Timothy 3:8, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:2
we do: 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:27-33, 2 Kings 17:41
Esarhaddon: Ezra 4:10, Asnappar, 2 Kings 19:37
Assur: Genesis 10:11, Psalms 73:8, Isaiah 37:37, Assyria, Hosea 14:3, Asshur
Reciprocal: Numbers 24:22 - the Kenite Joshua 22:25 - ye have 1 Chronicles 1:17 - Asshur Nehemiah 12:1 - Zerubbabel Isaiah 7:8 - within Isaiah 37:38 - Esarhaddon Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim Haggai 1:1 - unto Matthew 2:8 - that John 4:22 - ye know
3.
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.
Ye have nothing: Nehemiah 2:20, John 4:22, John 4:23, Acts 8:21, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:5, 3 John 1:9, 3 John 1:10
king Cyrus: Ezra 1:1-3, Ezra 6:3-5, 2 Chronicles 36:22, 2 Chronicles 36:23, Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 45:4, Matthew 10:16
Reciprocal: Joshua 22:25 - ye have Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua Ezra 6:14 - And the elders Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus 2 Corinthians 6:15 - or Ephesians 2:12 - aliens
4.
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
weakened: Ezra 3:3, Nehemiah 6:9, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Jeremiah 38:4
troubled: Nehemiah 4:7, Nehemiah 4:8, Nehemiah 4:11
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 4:1 - his hands Nehemiah 2:10 - there was come Daniel 10:13 - the prince Zechariah 1:19 - scattered
5.
And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
hired: Psalms 2:1, Psalms 2:2, Nahum 1:11, Acts 24:1-27
Darius: Ezra 4:24, Ezra 5:5-17, Ezra 6:1-18
Reciprocal: Daniel 8:3 - one Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus Daniel 11:2 - three
6.
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.
am 3475, bc 529
Ahasuerus: Heb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.
wrote: Matthew 27:37, Acts 24:5-9, Acts 24:13, Acts 25:7, Revelation 12:10
Reciprocal: Genesis 26:21 - Sitnah Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus Daniel 11:2 - three
7.
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
am 3482, bc 522
Artaxerxes: This Artaxerxes was one of the Magi, who usurped the throne after the death of Cambyses, for seven months, feigning himself to be Smerdis, brother of Cambyses: he is called Oropoestus by Justin, Smerdis by Herodotus, Mardus by AEschylus, and Sphendatates by Ctesias.
Bishlam: or, in peace
companions: Heb. societies, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 5:6
the Syrian tongue: That is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the Ezra 4:8, of this chapter, to Ezra 7:27, the original is not Hebrew, but Chaldee, in those parts which consist of letters, decrees, etc., originally written in that language. 2 Kings 18:26, Isaiah 36:11, Daniel 2:4
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote Ezra 8:36 - lieutenants Jeremiah 29:25 - Because Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim Zechariah 1:19 - scattered
8.
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
scribe: or, secretary, Ezra 4:9, 2 Samuel 8:17, 2 Samuel 20:25, 2 Kings 18:18
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote Ezra 2:2 - Rehum Ezra 4:7 - the Syrian tongue Ezra 4:23 - Rehum
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,
companions: Chal, societies
the Dinaites: 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:30, 2 Kings 17:31
Apharsathchites: Ezra 5:6, Ezra 6:6, Apharsachites
Susanchites: Esther 1:2, Esther 2:3, Daniel 8:2
Elamites: Genesis 10:22, Isaiah 21:2, Jeremiah 25:25, Jeremiah 49:34, Ezekiel 32:24, Acts 2:9
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:7 - companions Ezra 4:8 - scribe Ezra 4:17 - companions Ezra 4:23 - Rehum Ezra 6:13 - Tatnai Nehemiah 4:2 - the army Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian
10.
And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
And the rest: Ezra 4:1, 2 Kings 17:24-41
noble Asnapper: Romans 13:7
at such a time: Chal, Cheeneth, Ezra 4:11, Ezra 4:17, Ezra 7:12
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:32 - in the cities Ezra 4:2 - Esarhaddon Nehemiah 4:2 - the army Isaiah 8:7 - strong Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian
11.
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.
12.
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
rebellious: Ezra 4:15, Ezra 4:19, 2 Kings 18:20, 2 Kings 24:1, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Jeremiah 52:3, Ezekiel 17:12-21, Luke 23:2-5, Acts 24:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 1 Peter 2:13-15
bad city: Psalms 48:1, Psalms 48:2, Isaiah 1:21-23, Luke 13:34
set up: or, finished, Nehemiah 1:3, Daniel 9:25
joined: Chal, sewed together
Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:6 - that thou and Esther 3:8 - their laws Jeremiah 38:4 - thus Daniel 3:8 - and accused Micah 7:11 - shall Mark 12:14 - is it John 18:35 - Amos I Acts 16:20 - being Acts 17:7 - and these
13.
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
if this city: Nehemiah 5:4, Psalms 52:2, Psalms 119:69
pay: Chal, give
toll: Ezra 7:24, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 17:25, Romans 13:6, Romans 13:7
revenue: or, strength
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:22 - why should Nehemiah 5:14 - the bread Nehemiah 9:37 - it yieldeth Matthew 22:17 - is Mark 12:14 - is it Luke 20:22 - General
14.
Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
have maintenance: etc. Chal, are salted with the salt of the palace, Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life - Ecclesiastes 39:26, or verse 31 hence, by a very natural figure, salt is used for food or maintenance in general. I am well informed, says Mr. Parkhurst, that it is a common expression of the natives in the East Indies, "I eat such a one's salt," meaning, I am fed by him. Salt was also, as it still is, among eastern nations, a symbol of friendship and hospitality; and hence, to eat a man's salt, is to be bound to him by the ties of friendship.
and it was: Ezekiel 33:31, John 12:5, John 12:6, John 19:12-15
Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:14 - the bread
15.
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
made: within the same, Chal, in the midst thereof
this city: Ezra 4:12, Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 6:6, Esther 3:5-8, Daniel 6:4-13, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:7
moved: Chal
for which: 2 Kings 24:20, 2 Kings 25:1, 2 Kings 25:4, Jeremiah 52:3-34
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:19 - search Ezra 5:17 - let there be Ezra 6:1 - and search Proverbs 25:2 - the honour Acts 25:7 - and laid
16.
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
thou shalt have: Ezra 4:20, 2 Samuel 8:3, 1 Kings 4:24
Reciprocal: Ezra 6:8 - the king's Ezra 7:21 - beyond the river Nehemiah 2:19 - will ye rebel
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.
companions: Chal, societies, Ezra 4:7, Ezra 4:9
Peace: Ezra 5:7, Ezra 7:12, Luke 10:5, Acts 23:26, Romans 1:7
at such a time: Ezra 4:10, Ezra 4:11
Reciprocal: Genesis 43:23 - Peace Ezra 4:23 - Rehum Daniel 4:1 - Peace Daniel 6:25 - Peace Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim
18.
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19.
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
I commanded: Chal, by me a decree is set
search: Ezra 4:15, Ezra 5:17, Ezra 6:1, Ezra 6:2, Deuteronomy 13:14, Proverbs 25:2
and it is found: 2 Kings 18:7, 2 Kings 24:20, Ezekiel 17:13-19
made insurrection: Chal, lifted up itself
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:12 - rebellious Ezra 4:21 - Give ye Luke 20:22 - General
20.
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
mighty kings: 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 4:24, 1 Chronicles 18:3, Psalms 72:8
beyond: Ezra 4:16, Genesis 15:18, Joshua 1:3, Joshua 1:4
toll: 1 Chronicles 18:6, 1 Chronicles 18:13, 1 Chronicles 19:19, 2 Chronicles 9:14, 2 Chronicles 9:23, 2 Chronicles 9:24, 2 Chronicles 17:11, 2 Chronicles 26:7, 2 Chronicles 26:8
Reciprocal: Genesis 17:6 - kings Numbers 24:7 - his king Deuteronomy 15:6 - thou shalt reign Deuteronomy 19:8 - General 1 Chronicles 17:8 - made thee Ezra 6:8 - the king's Ezra 7:21 - beyond the river Nehemiah 5:4 - the king's tribute Lamentations 1:1 - great Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst Ezekiel 19:11 - she had Romans 13:6 - pay
21.
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
22.
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
why should: Ezra 4:13, Esther 3:8, Esther 3:9, Esther 7:3, Esther 7:4
Reciprocal: Daniel 6:2 - and the
23.
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.
Rehum: Ezra 4:8, Ezra 4:9, Ezra 4:17
they went up: Proverbs 4:16, Micah 2:1, Romans 3:15
force: Chal, arm
Reciprocal: Ezra 5:6 - copy Ezra 6:8 - hindered Ezra 6:13 - Tatnai Haggai 1:2 - This
24.
Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
So: Nehemiah 6:3, Nehemiah 6:9, Job 20:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Darius: This was Darius Hystaspes, one of the seven princes who slew the usurper Smerdis: he ascended the throne of Persia, am 3483, bc 521, and reigned 36 years. Ezra 5:5, Ezra 6:1, Haggai 1:15
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:5 - Darius Ezra 6:14 - Cyrus Daniel 9:25 - from Daniel 10:13 - the prince Haggai 1:2 - This Haggai 2:15 - from before Zechariah 1:1 - the eighth