Ezra 4:23
“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.”
Ezra 4:23 in 7 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- 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.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- Now the copy of the edict of king Artaxerxes was read before Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe, and their counsellors: and they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and hindered them with arm and power.
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
- DARBYDarby
- As soon as the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them cease by force and power.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- Then from the time that a copy of the letter of king Artaxerxes is read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they have gone in haste to Jerusalem, unto the Jews, and caused them to cease by force and strength;
- BPVBiblePics Version
- When the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they hurried to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop building by power and might.
Context: Ezra 4
21Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
22Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23Now 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.
24Then 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.
About Ezra 4: Opposition to the Rebuilding
Opposition to the rebuilding of the temple by the neighboring peoples, including the writing of a letter to King Artaxerxes.
Commentary
Ezra 4 is a chapter that speaks to the opposition that the Israelites faced as they sought to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The chapter begins with a list of the enemies of the Israelites who sought to discourage and prevent them from rebuilding the temple. These enemies included the people of the land, the Samaritans, and the Ammonites and the Arabians. The enemies of the Israelites sought to frustrate their plans by hiring counselors to oppose them and by writing letters to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, to stop the work.