Ezra 4:17
The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The king's official reply begins not with a decree, but with a standard, polite greeting, "Peace," and "and so forth." This reveals how even the most powerful rulers operated within established social protocols, where a proper salutation preceded any official business, regardless of the complaint's severity. It highlights the human element behind the grand pronouncements of empire.
Following the Jews' rebuilding efforts, local enemies sent a letter to the Persian king, accusing them of rebellion and urging him to halt the construction. This verse records the king's official, formal reply, acknowledging Rehum and Shimshai and initiating the process that would eventually lead to the work being stopped. The king's response sets the stage for the opposition the builders will face in the following verses.
Ever wonder how official pronouncements were made back in ancient times? This verse gives us a peek into the power behind words.
When the king of Persia sent a letter in Ezra 4:17, it wasn't just a casual note. The original Hebrew word for 'answer' here, 'pithgam', signifies a formal royal decree or rescript. This wasn't a suggestion; it was an official communication carrying the weight of the empire.
Think of it like a presidential order or a supreme court ruling today. The king wasn't just sending a message; he was issuing an official directive that his officials were bound to obey. The recipients, Rehum and Shimshai, were high-ranking officials, and the king addressed them, along with their associates in Samaria and beyond the Euphrates River. This shows the reach and seriousness of royal commands.
The opening of this letter might seem like a simple greeting, but it reveals a lot about ancient diplomacy and potential underlying tensions.
The verse ends with a common ancient Near Eastern salutation: 'Peace, and at such a time.' While 'Peace' (shalom) was a standard greeting wishing well-being, the phrase 'and at such a time' is a bit more nuanced. Scholars suggest it could mean 'and greetings,' or it might carry a more specific political connotation.
In the context of a letter addressed to officials in a contested province, this opening could be a way for the king to assert his authority and goodwill, or it could be a formal, almost detached, acknowledgment of their official status. It sets a formal tone, signaling that this is not a personal letter but an official correspondence between the king's administration and his provincial representatives. It’s a way of saying, 'We acknowledge your position and send you the appropriate royal salutation.'
Understand the original words
be'el te'em · Aramaic Noun
An officer of high rank, specifically a military or civil leader or administrator in the service of a king.
sapar · Aramaic Noun
An official government secretary or learned clerk responsible for writing, copying, and interpreting official documents and royal decrees.
This verse captures a moment of official Persian administration responding to accusations. The opposition described here is part of a larger pattern of conflict between the returning Jewish exiles and the established populations in the region, amplified by political intrigue within the Persian Empire.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Decree for Return
King Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period and the first wave of return.
c. 520 BC
Temple Reconstruction Begins
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the foundation of the Second Temple is laid, but progress is slow due to opposition.
c. 520-515 BC
Temple Completion
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated under the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, but it is a shadow of Solomon's Temple.
c. 465-424 BC
Reign of Artaxerxes I
This Persian king's long reign saw significant events in the Persian Empire, including the period when Ezra would later arrive in Jerusalem.
This verse shows a similar Persian royal decree, indicating a standard format for official communication which included formal greetings and pronouncements, much like the 'Peace' greeting in Ezra.
Nehemiah 2:7This passage illustrates another instance where Jewish leaders, like Nehemiah, had to interact with Persian authorities, showing the potential for official opposition and the need for royal communication.
Ezra 4:11This verse directly precedes the king's reply, providing the content of the letter that prompted the response and highlighting the accusations made against the returning exiles.
Ezra 7:11-26This passage presents a favorable royal decree from Artaxerxes to Ezra, contrasting with the opposition faced here and showing the king's authority to support or hinder the rebuilding efforts.
gillEzra 4:17: "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."
Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe,.... This affair, upon examination, being found to be of importance, the king of Persia thought fit to send an answer to the above letter, which was doing them an honour, and gave them the power an…
clarkeEzra 4:17: "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."
Peace, and at such a time - The word וכעת ucheeth is like that which we have already considered on Ezra 4:10 , and probably has the same meaning.
The king's official reply begins not with a decree, but with a standard, polite greeting, "Peace," and "and so forth." This reveals how even the most powerful rulers operated within established social protocols, where a proper salutation preceded any official business, regardless of the complaint's severity. It highlights the human element behind the grand pronouncements of empire.
Following the Jews' rebuilding efforts, local enemies sent a letter to the Persian king, accusing them of rebellion and urging him to halt the construction. This verse records the king's official, formal reply, acknowledging Rehum and Shimshai and initiating the process that would eventually lead to the work being stopped. The king's response sets the stage for the opposition the builders will face in the following verses.
Following the Jews' rebuilding efforts, local enemies sent a letter to the Persian king, accusing them of rebellion and urging him to halt the construction. This verse records the king's official, formal reply, acknowledging Rehum and Shimshai and initiating the process that would eventually lead to the work being stopped. The king's response sets the stage for the opposition the builders will face in the following verses.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezra 4:17 is available in the Sola app.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Return
Ezra, a scribe and priest, receives a commission from Artaxerxes I to restore religious order in Judah and lead a second wave of exiles back to Jerusalem.
c. 457 BC— this verse
Samaritan Opposition Escalates
Local Persian officials, including Rehum and Shimshai, send a letter to King Artaxerxes accusing the Jews of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and plotting rebellion. This is the specific action that elicits the king's response in Ezra 4:17.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Commission to Rebuild Walls
Despite previous setbacks and opposition, Nehemiah receives permission from Artaxerxes I to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls, facing continued resistance.
"The king sent an answer: “To Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now" — The king's official reply begins not with a decree, but with a standard, polite greeting, "Peace," and "and so forth." This reveals how even the most powerful rulers operated within established socia…
