Ezra 4
Overview
4:1 The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, endeavour to hinder it;
4:7 Their letter to Artaxerxes;
4:17 The answer and decree of Artaxerxes;
4:23 The building is hindered. Verse 1the adversariesThese 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, 5:5; 1 Chronicles 22:9, 22:10; Nehemiah 4:1-11; Daniel 9:25; 1 Corinthians 16:9 children of the captivityHeb. sons of the transportation, Ezra 1:11 *marg. 6:16, 6:19, 6:20, 10:7, 10:16; Daniel 5:13Reciprocal2 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 Verse 2ZerubbabelEzra 1:5, 2:2, 3:2, 3:12 Let usProverbs 26:23-26; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1, 2:2 we do2 Kings 17:24, 17:27-33, 17:41 EsarhaddonEzra 4:10, Asnappar, 2 Kings 19:37 AssurGenesis 10:11; Psalm 73:8; Isaiah 37:37, Assyria, Hosea 14:3, AsshurReciprocalNumbers 24:22 - the Kenite; Joshua 22:25 - ye have; 1 Chronicles 1:17 - Asshur; Nehemiah 12:1 - Zerubbabel; Isaiah 7:8 - within; 37:38 - Esarhaddon; Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim; Haggai 1:1 - unto; Matthew 2:8 - that; John 4:22 - ye know Verse 3Ye have nothingNehemiah 2:20; John 4:22, 4:23; Acts 8:21; Romans 9:4, 9:5; 3 John 1:9, 1:10 king CyrusEzra 1:1-3, 6:3-5; 2 Chronicles 36:22, 36:23; Isaiah 44:28, 45:1, 45:4; Matthew 10:16ReciprocalJoshua 22:25 - ye have; Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua; 6:14 - And the elders; Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus; 2 Corinthians 6:15 - or; Ephesians 2:12 - aliens Verse 4weakenedEzra 3:3; Nehemiah 6:9; Isaiah 35:3, 35:4; Jeremiah 38:4 troubledNehemiah 4:7, 4:8, 4:11Reciprocal2 Samuel 4:1 - his hands; Nehemiah 2:10 - there was come; Daniel 10:13 - the prince; Zechariah 1:19 - scattered Verse 5hiredPsalm 2:1, 2:2; Nahum 1:11; Acts 24:1-27 DariusEzra 4:24, 5:5-17, 6:1-18ReciprocalDaniel 8:3 - one; 10:1 - Cyrus; 11:2 - three Verse 6 amAhasuerusHeb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months.wroteMatthew 27:37; Acts 24:5-9, 24:13, 25:7; Revelation 12:10ReciprocalGenesis 26:21 - Sitnah; Esther 1:1 - Ahasuerus; Daniel 11:2 - three Verse 7 amArtaxerxesThis 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.Bishlamor, in peacecompanionsHeb. societies, Ezra 4:9, 4:17, 5:6 the Syrian tongueThat is, probably, both the language and character were Syrian or Chaldaic; and therefore, from the 4:8 of this chapter, to 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 2:4Reciprocal1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote; Ezra 8:36 - lieutenants; Jeremiah 29:25 - Because; Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim; Zechariah 1:19 - scattered Verse 8scribeor, secretary, Ezra 4:9; 2 Samuel 8:17, 20:25; 2 Kings 18:18Reciprocal1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote; Ezra 2:2 - Rehum; 4:7 - the Syrian tongue; 4:23 - Rehum Verse 9companionsChal, societiesthe Dinaites2 Kings 17:24, 17:30, 17:31 ApharsathchitesEzra 5:6, 6:6, ApharsachitesSusanchitesEsther 1:2, 2:3; Daniel 8:2 ElamitesGenesis 10:22; Isaiah 21:2; Jeremiah 25:25, 49:34; Ezekiel 32:24; Acts 2:9ReciprocalEzra 4:7 - companions; 4:8 - scribe; 4:17 - companions; 4:23 - Rehum; 6:13 - Tatnai; Nehemiah 4:2 - the army; Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian Verse 10And the restEzra 4:1; 2 Kings 17:24-41 noble AsnapperRomans 13:7 at such a timeChal, Cheeneth, Ezra 4:11, 4:17, 7:12Reciprocal1 Kings 13:32 - in the cities; Ezra 4:2 - Esarhaddon; Nehemiah 4:2 - the army; Isaiah 8:7 - strong; 23:13 - the Assyrian Verse 11Reciprocal1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote; Ezra 3:3 - for fear; 4:10 - at such a time; 4:17 - at such a time; 5:6 - copy; 7:11 - the copy; 7:12 - unto Ezra Verse 12rebelliousEzra 4:15, 4:19; 2 Kings 18:20, 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 cityPsalm 48:1, 48:2; Isaiah 1:21-23; Luke 13:34 set upor, finished, Nehemiah 1:3; Daniel 9:25 joinedChal, sewed togetherReciprocalNehemiah 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; 17:7 - and these Verse 13if this cityNehemiah 5:4; Psalm 52:2, 119:69 payChal, givetollEzra 7:24; Matthew 9:9, 17:25; Romans 13:6, 13:7 revenueor, strengthReciprocalEzra 4:22 - why should; Nehemiah 5:14 - the bread; 9:37 - it yieldeth; Matthew 22:17 - is; Mark 12:14 - is it; Luke 20:22 - General Verse 14have maintenanceetc. Chal, are salted with the salt of the palace, Salt is reckoned among the principal necessaries of life - Ecclesiastes 12:1 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 wasEzekiel 33:31; John 12:5, 12:6, 19:12-15ReciprocalNehemiah 5:14 - the bread
Verse 15madewithin the same, Chal, in the midst thereofthis cityEzra 4:12; Nehemiah 2:19, 6:6; Esther 3:5-8; Daniel 6:4-13; Acts 17:6, 17:7 movedChalfor which2 Kings 24:20, 25:1, 25:4; Jeremiah 52:3-34ReciprocalEzra 4:19 - search; 5:17 - let there be; 6:1 - and search; Proverbs 25:2 - the honour; Acts 25:7 - and laid Verse 16thou shalt haveEzra 4:20; 2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Kings 4:24ReciprocalEzra 6:8 - the king's; 7:21 - beyond the river; Nehemiah 2:19 - will ye rebel Verse 17companionsChal, societies, Ezra 4:7, 4:9 Peace5:7, 7:12; Luke 10:5; Acts 23:26; Romans 1:7 at such a timeEzra 4:10, 4:11ReciprocalGenesis 43:23 - Peace; Ezra 4:23 - Rehum; Daniel 4:1 - Peace; 6:25 - Peace; Obadiah 1:19 - the fields of Ephraim Verse 19I commandedChal, by me a decree is setsearchEzra 4:15, 5:17, 6:1, 6:2; Deuteronomy 13:14; Proverbs 25:2 and it is found2 Kings 18:7, 24:20; Ezekiel 17:13-19 made insurrectionChal, lifted up itselfReciprocalEzra 4:12 - rebellious; 4:21 - Give ye; Luke 20:22 - General Verse 20mighty kings1 Kings 4:21, 4:24; 1 Chronicles 18:3; Psalm 72:8 beyondEzra 4:16; Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:3, 1:4 toll1 Chronicles 18:6, 18:13, 19:19; 2 Chronicles 9:14, 9:23, 9:24, 17:11, 26:7, 26:8ReciprocalGenesis 17:6 - kings; Numbers 24:7 - his king; Deuteronomy 15:6 - thou shalt reign; 19:8 - General; 1 Chronicles 17:8 - made thee; Ezra 6:8 - the king's; 7:21 - beyond the river; Nehemiah 5:4 - the king's tribute; Lamentations 1:1 - great; Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst; 19:11 - she had; Romans 13:6 - pay Verse 21Give yeetc. Chal, Make a decree, Ezra 4:19Reciprocal6:8 - hindered Verse 22why shouldEzra 4:13; Esther 3:8, 3:9, 7:3, 7:4ReciprocalDaniel 6:2 - and the Verse 23RehumEzra 4:8, 4:9, 4:17 they went upProverbs 4:16; Micah 2:1; Romans 3:15 forceChal, armReciprocalEzra 5:6 - copy; 6:8 - hindered; 6:13 - Tatnai; Haggai 1:2 - This Verse 24SoNehemiah 6:3, 6:9; Job 20:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:18 DariusThis 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, 6:1; Haggai 1:15ReciprocalEzra 4:5 - Darius; 6:14 - Cyrus; Daniel 9:25 - from; 10:13 - the prince; Haggai 1:2 - This; 2:15 - from before; Zechariah 1:1 - the eighth Verse 1 amHaggaiThese are the same Haggai and Zechariah, whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets; and, as a great part of them refer to the events here recorded, the reader will find it very profitable to compare them with the history. Haggai 1:1-15 ZechariahZechariah 1:1-21 the son of IddoThat is, "the grandson of Iddo;" for Zechariah was the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.in the nameMicah 5:4; Haggai 1:2-8; Zechariah 1:3, 1:4, 4:6-10ReciprocalExodus 31:6 - I have given; Ezra 6:14 - through; Nehemiah 2:17 - come; Haggai 1:3 - by Haggai; 2:18 - even; Zechariah 8:9 - the prophets Verse 2rose upEzra 3:2; Haggai 1:12-15 JeshuaZechariah 6:11, Joshua, Josedech.the prophetsEzra 6:14; Haggai 2:4-9, 2:20-23; Zechariah 3:1-4:14; 2 Corinthians 1:24ReciprocalExodus 31:6 - I have given; 1 Chronicles 3:17 - Salathiel; 6:15 - Jehozadak; Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua; 5:16 - laid; 10:18 - Jeshua; Nehemiah 2:17 - come; 7:7 - Jeshua; 12:1 - Zerubbabel; Haggai 1:2 - This; 1:14 - and they; 2:18 - even; 2:21 - Zerubbabel; Zechariah 8:9 - the prophets; Matthew 1:12 - and Verse 3TatnaiTatnai was governor of the provinces which belonged to the Persian empire west of the Euphrates, comprehending Syria, Arabia Deserta, Phoenicia, and Samaria. He seems to have been a mild and judicious man, and to have acted with great prudence and caution, and without any passion or prejudice. Ezra 5:6, 6:6, 6:13, 7:21; Nehemiah 2:7-9 Who hath commanded youEzra 5:9, 1:3; Matthew 21:23; Acts 4:7ReciprocalZechariah 1:19 - scattered Verse 4What areEzra 5:10 make this buildingChal, build this buildingReciprocal5:9 - Who commanded Verse 5But the eyeEzra 7:6, 7:28, 8:22; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 32:8, 33:18, 34:15, 76:10; Philippians 1:28; 1 Peter 3:12 that theyPsalm 129:2-5 then they returnedEzra 6:6-12ReciprocalDeuteronomy 11:12 - the eyes; Ezra 4:5 - Darius; 4:24 - Darius; 6:8 - hindered; Nehemiah 2:8 - the king Verse 6 amcopyEzra 4:11, 4:23 Apharsachites4:9, Apharsathchites, 6:6Reciprocal4:7 - companions; 5:3 - Tatnai; 6:13 - Tatnai; 7:11 - the copy; 8:36 - lieutenants Verse 7whereinChal, in the midst whereofall peaceEzra 4:17; Daniel 3:9, 4:1, 6:21; John 14:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Verse 8the provinceEzra 2:1; Nehemiah 7:6, 11:3; Esther 1:1, 1:22 the great GodEzra 1:2, 1:3, 6:10, 7:23; Deuteronomy 10:17, 32:31; Psalm 145:3; Daniel 2:47, 3:26; 4:2, 4:34-37, 6:26 great stonesChal, stones of rolling, Mark 13:1, 13:2Reciprocal2 Kings 12:12 - masons; Ezra 7:14 - thy God; Nehemiah 1:3 - the province; 4:7 - heard; Haggai 1:14 - and they Verse 9Who commandedEzra 5:3, 5:4

Verse 10askedEzra 5:4

Verse 11We areJoshua 24:15; Psalm 119:46; Daniel 3:26; Jonah 1:9; Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Acts 27:23; Romans 1:16, 6:16; Galatians 6:14 which a great1 Kings 6:1-7:51; 2 Chronicles 3:1-5:14Reciprocal1 Kings 3:1 - the house; 1 Chronicles 17:12 - He shall; Nehemiah 1:4 - the God; Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst; 19:11 - she had; Revelation 16:11 - the God Verse 12 amBut after2 Kings 21:12-15; 2 Chronicles 34:24, 34:25, 36:16, 36:17; Nehemiah 9:26, 9:27; Isaiah 59:1, 59:2; Jeremiah 5:29; Daniel 9:5 he gaveDeuteronomy 28:15-68, 29:24-28, 31:17, 32:30; Judges 2:14, 4:2, 6:1; 1 Kings 9:6-9; 2 Chronicles 7:19-22; Psalm 106:40 into the hand2 Kings 24:2, 24:10-17, 25:1, 25:8-11, 25:12-30; 2 Chronicles 36:6-10; Jeremiah 39:1-14; Daniel 1:1, 1:2Reciprocal2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers; Nehemiah 1:4 - the God; Revelation 16:11 - the God Verse 13Ezra 1:1-8, 6:3-5; Isaiah 44:28, 45:1ReciprocalEzra 6:14 - Cyrus; 7:13 - I make; Jeremiah 27:22 - then; Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus Verse 14the vesselsEzra 1:7-10, 6:5; 2 Chronicles 36:7, 36:18; Jeremiah 52:19; Daniel 5:2, 5:3 the kingEzra 7:27; Proverbs 21:1 SheshbazzarEzra 5:16, 1:11 whomHaggai 1:1, 1:14, 2:2, 2:21 governoror, deputy, Acts 13:7, 13:8, 13:12ReciprocalEzra 1:8 - Sheshbazzar Verse 15let the houseEzra 1:2, 3:3, 6:3

Verse 16SheshbazzarEzra 5:14 laid5:2, 3:8, 3:10; Haggai 1:12-14, 2:18; Zechariah 4:10, am 3468-3485, bc 536-519it is not finishedEzra 6:15Reciprocal1:8 - Sheshbazzar; Zechariah 4:9 - have Verse 17 amlet there beEzra 4:15, 4:19, 6:1, 6:2; Proverbs 25:2 a decreeEzra 6:3-5ReciprocalNehemiah 2:5 - If it please