And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The original Hebrew word for "accusation" here is unique, also appearing as the name of a well dug by Isaac that symbolized strife and opposition. This subtle linguistic connection highlights how the enemies of God's people were not just reporting facts, but actively sowing seeds of "enmity" and contention against them from the very start of this new reign.
And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the rebuilding efforts under Cyrus, the enemies of the returning exiles seize a moment of transition. With the death of Cyrus and the ascension of a new king, Ahasuerus (likely Cambyses), they present a formal accusation, attempting to halt the work of rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple. This verse marks the beginning of a sustained period of opposition, as these adversaries exploit royal succession to undermine the Jewish community.
Ever felt like the hardest blows come when you're just getting started? Ezra's rebuilding project faced exactly this.
The enemies of God's people, the Samaritans, were strategic. They didn't attack when the Jews were at their strongest, but rather waited for a moment of vulnerability.
A New King, A New Opportunity
Ezra 4:6 tells us that an "accusation" was written against the people of Judah and Jerusalem 'in the beginning of the reign' of King Ahasuerus. This wasn't random; it was a calculated move. A new king often means a period of transition and uncertainty in a vast empire. The enemies saw this as their prime opportunity to poison the king's mind against the returning exiles before they could establish themselves or gain significant favor.
The Pattern of Adversity
This highlights a recurring theme in the spiritual life: opposition often intensifies when we are stepping out in faith, undertaking God's work, or beginning something new. The enemy doesn't want God's kingdom to advance, and he will use moments of new beginnings to try and stifle progress.
What did these enemies actually say about the people of Judah and Jerusalem? It wasn't just a complaint; it was a deep-seated 'enmity'.
The Hebrew word translated as 'accusation' in Ezra 4:6, 'sitnah', is powerful. It's a word that carries the weight of opposition, hostility, and even malice. It's so potent that it appears elsewhere in the Bible only once, describing a well that Isaac's enemies dug and then filled up – a symbol of their active obstruction.
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More Than a Grievance
This wasn't a minor disagreement or a misunderstanding. These accusations were designed to portray the Jews as a threat to the empire. The commentary suggests they likely claimed the returning exiles intended to rebel and establish their own independent kingdom, refusing allegiance to the Persian king. It was a lie crafted to incite fear and suspicion in the new ruler.
The Heart of Opposition
This 'sitnah' reflects a deep-seated animosity towards God's people and their faithfulness. It's a spiritual battle where the enemy seeks to twist truth and paint God's followers in the worst possible light to prevent God's work from advancing.
Understand the original words
shithnah · Hebrew Noun
A formal charge or indictment brought against individuals or groups, often intended to incite legal or political action against them.
The verse highlights how political transitions and reigns of Persian kings were often seized by adversaries to hinder the Jewish people's rebuilding efforts and their worship of God.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
538 BC
Cyrus's Decree to Rebuild Jerusalem
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 530-522 BC— this verse
Reign of Cambyses II
Cambyses II, son of Cyrus, reigns. He is identified by some scholars as Ahasuerus. During his reign, opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple intensifies.
522-521 BC
Reign of Pseudo-Smerdis
A usurper known as Pseudo-Smerdis or Gaumata briefly reigns after Cambyses. Some scholars suggest this might be the Ahasuerus mentioned.
521-486 BC
Reign of Darius I (Darius the Great)
Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, takes the throne. He supports the rebuilding of the Temple after a renewed request from the Jewish leaders.
486-465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I
Xerxes I, the famous king from the Book of Esther, reigns. He is also identified by some scholars as Ahasuerus and ruled during a period of continued opposition.
This passage highlights how the enemies of God's people often employed 'enmity' or 'accusation' ('sitnah' in Hebrew, the same word used in Ezra 4:6) to hinder their progress and prosperity.
1 Kings 18:18This verse shows Elijah confronting King Ahab about his opposition to God's law, a parallel to how the adversaries in Ezra accused the returning exiles of disloyalty to the king.
Nehemiah 4:1-3Similar to Ezra 4:6, Nehemiah faced ridicule and false accusations from his enemies ('Sanballat and Tobiah') who sought to stop the rebuilding work in Jerusalem.
Acts 24:1-16This passage illustrates how adversaries brought 'accusations' against Paul before Felix, using slander and misrepresentation to undermine his ministry and the gospel.
clarkeEzra 4:6: "And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem."
In the reign of Ahasuerus - This is the person who is called Cambyses by the Greeks. He reigned seven years and five months; and during the whole of that time the building of the temple was interrupted.
henryEzra 4:6-24: "And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem."
4:6-24 It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the cons…
The original Hebrew word for "accusation" here is unique, also appearing as the name of a well dug by Isaac that symbolized strife and opposition. This subtle linguistic connection highlights how the enemies of God's people were not just reporting facts, but actively sowing seeds of "enmity" and contention against them from the very start of this new reign.
Following the rebuilding efforts under Cyrus, the enemies of the returning exiles seize a moment of transition. With the death of Cyrus and the ascension of a new king, Ahasuerus (likely Cambyses), they present a formal accusation, attempting to halt the work of rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple. This verse marks the beginning of a sustained period of opposition, as these adversaries exploit royal succession to undermine the Jewish community.
Following the rebuilding efforts under Cyrus, the enemies of the returning exiles seize a moment of transition. With the death of Cyrus and the ascension of a new king, Ahasuerus (likely Cambyses), they present a formal accusation, attempting to halt the work of rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple. This verse marks the beginning of a sustained period of opposition, as these adversaries exploit royal succession to undermine the Jewish community.
"And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem." — The original Hebrew word for "accusation" here is unique, also appearing as the name of a well dug by Isaac that symbolized strife and opposition. This subtle linguistic connection highlights how the…
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Last reviewed October 2026