Ezra 4:8
Ezra 4:8 in Multiple Translations
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, sent a letter against Jerusalem, to Artaxerxes the king;
Rehum the officer in command and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes condemning Jerusalem stating,
Rehum the chancelour, and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Ierusalem to Artahshashte the King, in this sort.
Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe wrote a letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner:
Rehum, the high commissioner, and Shimshai, the provincial secretary, wrote the letter to King Artaxerxes concerning what was happening in Jerusalem.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezra 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רְח֣וּם
בְּעֵל
טְעֵ֗ם
וְ/שִׁמְשַׁי֙
סָֽפְרָ֔/א
כְּתַ֛בוּ
אִגְּרָ֥ה
חֲדָ֖ה
עַל
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
לְ/אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא
מַלְכָּ֖/א
כְּנֵֽמָא
רְח֣וּם
Rᵉchûwm
H7348
Rehum
Adj
בְּעֵל
bᵉʻêl
H1169
commander
Adj
טְעֵ֗ם
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
command
Adj
וְ/שִׁמְשַׁי֙
Shimshay
H8124
Shimshai
Adj | N-proper
סָֽפְרָ֔/א
çâphêr
H5613
scribe
Adj | Art
כְּתַ֛בוּ
kᵉthab
H3790
to write
Adj
אִגְּרָ֥ה
ʼiggᵉrâʼ
H104
letter
Adj
חֲדָ֖ה
chad
H2298
one
Adj
עַל
ʻal
H5922
since
Adj
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
Yᵉrûwshâlêm
H3390
Jerusalem
Adj
לְ/אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא
ʼArtachshashtâʼ
H783
Artaxerxes
Adj | N-proper
מַלְכָּ֖/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
כְּנֵֽמָא
kᵉnêmâʼ
H3660
thus
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:8
רְח֣וּם
Rᵉchûwm
H7348
"Rehum"
Adj
Rehum was a Persian and Israelite name, meaning compassion. One notable Rehum was a commander who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, as mentioned in Nehemiah 10:25.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.10.25 § Rehum = "compassion" a commander who wrote a letter to the king Artaxerxes in which he opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Rehum. See also: Ezra 2:2; Ezra 4:23; Nehemiah 12:3.
בְּעֵל
bᵉʻêl
H1169
"commander"
Adj
Means commander or lord, similar to H1167, and is used in the book of Daniel to describe a high-ranking official.
Definition: owner, lord Aramaic of ba.al (בַּעַל ": master" H1167)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] chancellor. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:9; Ezra 4:17.
טְעֵ֗ם
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
"command"
Adj
This word is about having a command or report, and can also mean a taste or flavor. In the Bible, it can refer to a decree or wisdom, like in the book of Proverbs. It is about perceiving or understanding something.
Definition: 1) report, taste 1a) taste 1b) report
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] chancellor, [phrase] command, commandment, decree, [phrase] regard, taste, wisdom. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 6:27.
וְ/שִׁמְשַׁי֙
Shimshay
H8124
"Shimshai"
Adj | N-proper
Shimshai was a Samaritan scribe who worked for the Persian government during the Exile and Return period, as seen in Ezra 4:8. His name means sunny. He assisted Rehum, the satrap of Judea.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.8 § Shimshai = "sunny" the scribe for Rehum, the satrap of Judea for the Persian government
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Shimshai. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:17; Ezra 4:23.
סָֽפְרָ֔/א
çâphêr
H5613
"scribe"
Adj | Art
A scribe was a person who wrote or copied documents, often serving as a secretary or record-keeper. In biblical times, scribes played a crucial role in preserving sacred texts. They are mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Definition: scribe, secretary Aramaic of so.pher (סֹפֵר "secretary" H5608B)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: scribe. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 7:21.
כְּתַ֛בוּ
kᵉthab
H3790
"to write"
Adj
To write, similar to H3789, meaning to put thoughts or ideas into written form. It is used in the Bible to describe the act of writing or recording something, such as a document or a message.
Definition: 1) to write 1a) (P'al) to write, to be written
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: write(-ten). See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:2; Daniel 7:1.
אִגְּרָ֥ה
ʼiggᵉrâʼ
H104
"letter"
Adj
A letter is a written message, like the ones sent by the prophets in the Old Testament. This word is used to describe formal messages or documents, often carried by a courier or postman. It can also refer to a written command or instruction.
Definition: letter, missive (Aramaic loan-word used in last OT books) Aramaic of ig.ge.ret (אִגֶּ֫רֶת "letter" H0107)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: letter. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 4:11; Ezra 5:6.
חֲדָ֖ה
chad
H2298
"one"
Adj
This word means one, first, or single, and is often used in the Bible to describe something unique. It appears in books like Leviticus and Numbers. It can also be used as an article, like a or an.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one 1b) a (indefinite article)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: a, first, one, together. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:19; Daniel 7:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5922
"since"
Adj
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Definition: 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 4:2; Daniel 7:28.
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
Yᵉrûwshâlêm
H3390
"Jerusalem"
Adj
Jerusalem means teaching of peace, the chief city of Palestine and Judah. It is mentioned in the Bible as the capital of the united kingdom. In the KJV, it is translated as Jerusalem.
Definition: Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: {Jerusalem} See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:5; Daniel 6:11.
לְ/אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא
ʼArtachshashtâʼ
H783
"Artaxerxes"
Adj | N-proper
Artaxerxes was a title given to several Persian kings, including the one who ruled during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. He played a significant role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.4.7 Also named: ar.tach.shash.ta (אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתְּא "Artaxerxes" H0783B) § Artaxerxes = "I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter" son and successor of Xerxes as emperor of Persia, 465-424 BC
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Artaxerxes. See also: Ezra 4:7; Ezra 7:11; Nehemiah 13:6.
מַלְכָּ֖/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
כְּנֵֽמָא
kᵉnêmâʼ
H3660
"thus"
Adj
This Hebrew word means 'thus' or 'so', showing how something is done. It appears in the Bible to describe a manner or way of doing things, like in a recipe or instruction. It helps us understand how to follow God's commands.
Definition: thus, so, accordingly, as follows
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: so, (in) this manner (sort), thus. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 5:9; Ezra 6:13.
Study Notes — Ezra 4:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezra 4:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
- Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:8
- Barnes' Notes on Ezra 4:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
- Sermons on Ezra 4:8
Context — Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
6At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
7And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated.
8Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:
9From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, 10and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 4:9 | From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 8:17 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 20:25 | Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; |
| 4 | 2 Kings 18:18 | Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them. |
Ezra 4:8 Summary
Ezra 4:8 tells us about two men, Rehum and Shimshai, who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes trying to stop the Israelites from rebuilding Jerusalem. This was a challenging time for the Israelites, but they trusted in God's plan and provision, just like we can trust in God's sovereignty and love for us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28. We can learn from their example and remember that God is always with us, even in difficult times, as encouraged in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2. By trusting in God and His promises, we can overcome any obstacle and fulfill His will for our lives, as seen in Philippians 4:13 and Ephesians 3:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Rehum and Shimshai in Ezra 4:8?
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe were officials who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, as mentioned in Ezra 4:8, in an attempt to hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem, similar to the opposition faced by the Israelites in Nehemiah 4:1-3.
What was the purpose of the letter written by Rehum and Shimshai?
The purpose of the letter was to persuade King Artaxerxes to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, as seen in Ezra 4:8, which is reminiscent of the attempts by Sanballat and Tobiah to discourage the Israelites in Nehemiah 4:1-3, but ultimately, God's plan prevailed as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Ezra?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' return to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple, as described in Ezra 1:1-4, and it highlights the opposition they faced from their enemies, which is a common theme throughout the book of Ezra and the Bible, such as in Ezra 5:1-2 and Acts 4:28-31.
What can we learn from the actions of Rehum and Shimshai?
We can learn that opposition and persecution are a natural part of following God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:10-12 and 2 Timothy 3:12, and that we should trust in God's sovereignty and provision, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 4:8 and throughout their journey, as encouraged in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I face opposition or persecution in my own life, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty and provision like the Israelites did in Ezra 4:8?
- How can I discern when opposition is coming from worldly sources, and how can I respond in a way that honors God, as seen in 1 Peter 3:13-17 and Romans 12:14-21?
- What are some ways that I can support and encourage others who are facing opposition or persecution, just as the Israelites supported each other in their rebuilding efforts in Ezra 4:8 and Nehemiah 4:1-3?
- How can I use my own experiences of opposition or persecution to minister to others and point them to God's love and sovereignty, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and Galatians 6:2?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:8
Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:8
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: Rehum the chancellor , [ bª`eel (H1169) Tª`eem (H2942), lord of judgment].
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:Ver. 8. Rehum the chancellor] Or, president of the council. It is of the Chaldee termination; the whole history also following to Ezra 6:19, is Chaldee, transcribed, as some think, out of the rolls and registers of the Chaldees, and here inserted.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
(8) Rehum the chancellor.—The lord of judgment, the counsellor of the Persian king, a conventional title of the civil governor. Shimshai the scribe—The royal secretary.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
Verse 8. Rehum the chancellor] With this verse the Chaldee part of the chapter begins; and the same language continues to the end of Ezr 6:18. These men wrote to Darius in their own language; and the king in the same dialect returns an answer, chap. v. This circumstance adds authenticity to what is written: so scrupulous was the inspired penman, that he not only gave the words which each spoke and wrote, but he gave them also in the very language in which they were conceived and in the character peculiar to that language.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:8
8. At this verse begins the first long section (Ezra 4:8 to Ezra 6:18) written in the Aramaic language (see Introd.), which the Compiler has probably extracted bodily from Aramaic records. Ezra 4:8 introduces briefly the description of the letter of accusation against the Jews sent by Rehum and Shimshai. Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe] Rehum was probably the chief official of the Samaritan community. The name is considered by some to be of Persian origin, and a contraction of some longer Persian name, e.g. Rheomithres, which is found in Arrian. It appears also in Jewish lists (see Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 3:17; Nehemiah 10:25), but that need not exclude its foreign origin. the chancellor] Literally ‘the lord of judgement’. Sayce suggests ‘lord of official intelligence’, the Aramaic word for ‘judgement’ being practically identical with the Assyrian word ‘dhem’, used of the official reports sent to the king by provincial rulers. Here the title apparently belongs to the chief officer of the district. In the LXX., Syr. and Vulg. the title not being understood appears as a proper name; 1Es 2:16 makes the same error ‘Rathumus and Beeltethmus’.
Shimshai] Perhaps the same name as the Persian ‘Sisamnes’. the scribe] i.e. the governor’s secretary. Each governor of a Persian province was attended by this official (Herod. III. 128), who acted as a check upon the governor as well as for administrative purposes.
Barnes' Notes on Ezra 4:8
The chancellor - literally, “Lord of judgment;” the title, apparently, of the Persian governor of the Samaritan province.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:8
8. The chancellor — Hebrew, Lord of counsel, that is, a royal counsellor. He seems to have been the Persian governor and judge of the district of Samaria, and of the colonists mentioned in the next verse. The Sept. and Vulg.
Sermons on Ezra 4:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Faith Unto Enlargement Through Adversity - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker introduces the theme of the conference, which is "faith unto enlargement through adversity." The speaker refers to Psalm 118 as the Passover Hosanna Son |
|
(2 Samuel) Fighting to Keep Unity by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the Bible about a wise woman who saves her city from a siege. The woman approaches Joab, a military leader, and proposes a solut |