Breakdown of Ezra 4:9

"Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites," — It's easy to just see a list of names, but this verse reveals that the opposition to rebuilding wasn't just one homogenous group; it was a coalition of diverse peoples, brought together from across t…

Ezra 4:9 Meaning Explained

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Ezra 4:9

Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,

English Standard Version (ESV)

It's easy to just see a list of names, but this verse reveals that the opposition to rebuilding wasn't just one homogenous group; it was a coalition of diverse peoples, brought together from across the vast Assyrian empire. This highlights how widespread and deeply rooted the resistance was, drawing from various conquered nations now settled in Samaria.

What Ezra 4:9 means

As the returned exiles begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, powerful local officials from surrounding regions, including Samaritans and other settled peoples, actively oppose the work. This opposition is organized and documented, leading to a formal letter of accusation being sent to the Persian king Artaxerxes. This verse lists the various ethnic groups and officials who signed onto this complaint, highlighting the diverse and unified front against the Jewish rebuilding efforts.

More Than Just Samaritans

Ever notice how a single group can be made up of so many different backgrounds? This verse drops a list of names that sounds like a geography lesson, but it tells us so much more about who the opposition actually was.

When Ezra 4:9 lists "the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites," it's not just a random roll call. These were the diverse groups of people who had been brought in by the Assyrian and Persian empires to colonize the land of Samaria after the northern kingdom of Israel was exiled.

Think of it like this: these weren't just 'Samaritans' as a single ethnic group. They were a coalition, a mix of peoples from various regions across the vast empire – from places like Babylonia, Persia, and Elam. They brought their own customs and gods with them, contributing to the unique religious and cultural landscape of the region. This diverse origin is key to understanding their later interactions with the returning Jewish exiles.

The Art of Accusation

This verse is the start of a letter designed to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Who wrote it, and what does their role tell us about how the message was crafted?

The verse highlights the key figures behind the letter: 'Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions.' This wasn't just a spontaneous outburst; it was an official complaint, penned by leaders with authority.

Rehum, as a 'commander,' likely held military or administrative power. Shimshai, the 'scribe,' was the one who literally wrote the letter, shaping the words and arguments. Together with their 'companions'—officials, governors, and representatives from the various colonies—they formed a powerful bloc ready to lobby the Persian king.

Their position gave weight to their accusations. They weren't just disgruntled individuals; they were representatives of the established order in the region, presenting themselves as loyal subjects concerned about the king's interests. This framing was crucial for their strategy to undermine the work of the returned exiles.

Historical context

Written: This passage is set during the reign of Artaxerxes I, likely around 458 BC.
Author: The book of Ezra is traditionally attributed to Ezra the scribe, though modern scholarship suggests it may be a compilation by multiple authors.
Location: The events described likely took place in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, with the letter being sent to the Persian capital.
Genre: This is historical narrative, featuring official correspondence and detailed lists of peoples.

Historical background

The diverse list of names in Ezra 4:9 highlights that the opposition wasn't just a local squabble, but a coalition of peoples settled in Samaria by earlier empires, reflecting the complex ethnic and political landscape of the Persian province.

c. 722 BC
Assyrian Deportations and Colonization
After conquering the northern kingdom of Israel, the Assyrian king Sargon II (and later his successors) deported many Israelites and replaced them with colonists from various parts of the Assyrian empire. This established the diverse population that would become known as the Samaritans.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians conquered Judah, beginning a series of deportations of the Jewish people to Babylon. This marked the start of the Babylonian exile, a critical period for Jewish identity and faith.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, further deepening the exile of the remaining Judeans. This event was a profound catastrophe for the Jewish people, leading to widespread despair and questioning of God's promises.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus, ruler of the expanding Persian Empire, defeated the Babylonians. This victory brought the Jewish exiles under Persian rule and set the stage for their return to Jerusalem.

Key themes

01Composite identity
02Colonial origins
03Political opposition

Cross-references

2 Kings 17:24

This passage describes the original resettlement of Samaria with people from Babylon and other foreign lands after the Assyrian conquest, directly paralleling the diverse origins of the Samaritan colonists mentioned in Ezra 4:9.

Nehemiah 4:1-3

This shows a similar opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah to the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, highlighting the ongoing animosity and political maneuvering against the returning Jewish exiles.

Esther 1:1-2

This passage describes the vast empire of Ahasuerus (Xerxes) which stretched from India to Ethiopia, providing context for the diverse geographical origins of the peoples, like the Susanchites and Elamites, mentioned in Ezra 4:9.

Isaiah 10:5-11

This prophecy speaks of Assyria's pride and its plan to conquer nations, including Samaria and Babylon, which echoes the historical context of these diverse peoples being transplanted by empires.

Scholarly commentary

Ezra 4:9: "Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,"

Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions,.... who all signed the letter; namely, the governors of the following nations: the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Arc…
gill

Ezra 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…
henry

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What Ezra 4:9 means

Historical context

Written: This passage is set during the reign of Artaxerxes I, likely around 458 BC.
Author: The book of Ezra is traditionally attributed to Ezra the scribe, though modern scholarship suggests it may be a compilation by multiple authors.
Location: The events described likely took place in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, with the letter being sent to the Persian capital.
Genre: This is historical narrative, featuring official correspondence and detailed lists of peoples.

Historical background

c. 722 BC

Assyrian Deportations and Colonization

After conquering the northern kingdom of Israel, the Assyrian king Sargon II (and later his successors) deported many Israelites and replaced them with colonists from various parts of the Assyrian empire. This established the diverse population that would become known as the Samaritans.

605 BC

First Babylonian Deportation

Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians conquered Judah, beginning a series of deportations of the Jewish people to Babylon. This marked the start of the Babylonian exile, a critical period for Jewish identity and faith.

586 BC

Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple

The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, further deepening the exile of the remaining Judeans. This event was a profound catastrophe for the Jewish people, leading to widespread despair and questioning of God's promises.

539 BC

Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon

Cyrus, ruler of the expanding Persian Empire, defeated the Babylonians. This victory brought the Jewish exiles under Persian rule and set the stage for their return to Jerusalem.