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)
The king's reply begins with a formal greeting, "Peace, and at such a time," which isn't just a polite closing. It's a standard, almost bureaucratic, opening to a royal decree, indicating this is a formal response, not a personal chat. This highlights how political maneuvering, rather than genuine concern, drives the opposition to rebuilding.
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)
Following a letter of accusation sent by disgruntled officials in Samaria, King Artaxerxes issues a formal response. This official decree is addressed to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates, acknowledging their message and beginning with a standard Persian royal salutation. The king's reply, which follows this opening, will ultimately order the cessation of the Jews' rebuilding efforts.
Ever received a formal letter that felt a little... cold? This royal message from King Artaxerxes is more than just a greeting.
The original Persian word used here, 'pithgama', signifies a formal decree or royal rescript, not a casual letter. This tells us the king took the complaint seriously enough to issue an official response.
Think of it like receiving a signed legal document versus a text message. The language and formality signal the weight of the message and the authority behind it. This wasn't just a king shooting the breeze; it was an official communication with implications.
The king's words, 'Peace, and at such a time,' sound like a friendly greeting, but they carry a political punch.
The opening 'Peace, and at such a time' (or 'and so forth') was a standard, formal salutation in official correspondence of that era. It wasn't necessarily expressing personal warmth but was the expected protocol.
For the king's administration, this phrasing signaled that the complaint was officially received and would be addressed. For Rehum and Shimshai, it was a victory – their letter had bypassed any potential dismissal and prompted a formal royal response, giving their opposition legitimacy and an official platform.
Rehum and Shimshai didn't just write a letter; they crafted a strategic move against the rebuilding efforts. The king's reply is the next move in their game.
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This verse is part of a larger narrative where adversaries of the Jewish returnees used political maneuvering to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its Temple. Rehum, the commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, represent the established powers in the region who felt threatened by the resurgence of Jewish influence.
Their letter was an 'accusation' designed to prejudice the king, portraying the Jews as a rebellious group whose rebuilding efforts would destabilize the province. The king's formal reply, addressed to these specific officials, shows that their strategy was working – they had successfully brought the matter to the highest level of the empire.
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.
The opposition detailed in this verse is part of a long-standing tension between the returning Jewish exiles and the established populations in Samaria and surrounding regions, who feared the resurgence of Jewish influence.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overtakes the Babylonian Empire. This event ushers in a new era for many exiled peoples, including the Jews, as Cyrus issues a decree allowing them to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
After initial setbacks and challenges, the Jewish returnees finally complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, a significant moment for their spiritual and national identity.
c. 465-424 BC— this verse
Reign of Artaxerxes I
This Persian king's reign is a crucial period. During his time, significant opposition arises against the Jews' rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, as detailed in Ezra chapters 4 through 6.
c. 458 BC
Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads a large group of Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes I, bringing with him religious reforms and the Law of Moses.
This passage also shows the use of royal decrees and the importance of official correspondence in the Persian Empire, mirroring the 'royal rescript' mentioned in Ezra 4:17.
Ezra 4:9This verse is a direct continuation of the same event, showing the broader scope of the opposition to the rebuilding efforts, encompassing various groups and regions beyond just Samaria.
Ezra 4:11This verse provides the content of the letter sent to the king, illustrating the accusations made against the Jews and setting the stage for the king's response in verse 17.
2 Kings 18:26This passage highlights a similar situation where officials requested communication in the Hebrew language to address the people directly, contrasting with the use of Aramaic (Syrian tongue) for official Persian correspondence as seen in Ezra 4:17.
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 reply begins with a formal greeting, "Peace, and at such a time," which isn't just a polite closing. It's a standard, almost bureaucratic, opening to a royal decree, indicating this is a formal response, not a personal chat. This highlights how political maneuvering, rather than genuine concern, drives the opposition to rebuilding.
Following a letter of accusation sent by disgruntled officials in Samaria, King Artaxerxes issues a formal response. This official decree is addressed to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates, acknowledging their message and beginning with a standard Persian royal salutation. The king's reply, which follows this opening, will ultimately order the cessation of the Jews' rebuilding efforts.
Following a letter of accusation sent by disgruntled officials in Samaria, King Artaxerxes issues a formal response. This official decree is addressed to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates, acknowledging their message and beginning with a standard Persian royal salutation. The king's reply, which follows this opening, will ultimately order the cessation of the Jews' rebuilding efforts.
"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 reply begins with a formal greeting, "Peace, and at such a time," which isn't just a polite closing. It's a standard, almost bureaucratic, opening to a royal decree, indicating this is a f…
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Last reviewed October 2026