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EZR A 5
page 419
Later Opposition under Xerxes and
Artaxerxes
6 Years later when Xerxes* began his reign, the
enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation
against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
7 Even later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia,* the enemies of Judah, led by
Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel, sent a letter to
Artaxerxes in the Aramaic language, and it was
translated for the king.
8*Rehum the governor and Shimshai the
court secretary wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem. 9 They
greeted the king for all their colleagues—the
judges and local leaders, the people of Tarpel,
the Persians, the Babylonians, and the people of
Erech and Susa (that is, Elam). 10 They also sent
greetings from the rest of the people whom the
great and noble Ashurbanipal* had deported
and relocated in Samaria and throughout the
neighboring lands of the province west of the
Euphrates River.* 11 This is a copy of their letter:
“To King Artaxerxes, from your loyal
subjects in the province west of the
Euphrates River.
12 “The king should know that the Jews
who came here to Jerusalem from Babylon
are rebuilding this rebellious and evil city.
They have already laid the foundation and
will soon finish its walls. 13 And the king
should know that if this city is rebuilt and
its walls are completed, it will be much to
your disadvantage, for the Jews will then
refuse to pay their tribute, customs, and
tolls to you.
14 “Since we are your loyal subjects* and
do not want to see the king dishonored
in this way, we have sent the king this
information. 15 We suggest that a search be
made in your ancestors’ records, where you
will discover what a rebellious city this has
been in the past. In fact, it was destroyed
because of its long and troublesome history
of revolt against the kings and countries
who controlled it. 16 We declare to the
king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls
are completed, the province west of the
Euphrates River will be lost to you.”
17 Then
King Artaxerxes sent this reply:
“To Rehum the governor, Shimshai the
court secretary, and their colleagues living
4:6 Hebrew Ahasuerus, another name for Xerxes. He reigned
486–465 b.c. 4:7 Artaxerxes reigned 465–424 b.c. 4:8 The
original text of 4:8–6:18 is in Aramaic. 4:10a Aramaic
Osnappar, another name for Ashurbanipal. 4:10b Aramaic the
province beyond the river; also in 4:11, 16, 17, 20. 4:14 Aramaic
Since we eat the salt of the palace. 4:24 The second year of
Darius’s reign was 520 b.c. The narrative started in 4:1-5 is
resumed at verse 24. 5:2 Aramaic Jozadak, a variant spelling
of Jehozadak. 5:3 Aramaic the province beyond the river; also
in 5:6. 5:4 As in one Hebrew manuscript and Greek and Syriac
versions; Masoretic Text reads Then we told them.
in Samaria and throughout the province
west of the Euphrates River. Greetings.
18 “The letter you sent has been translated
and read to me. 19 I ordered a search of the
records and have found that Jerusalem
has indeed been a hotbed of insurrection
against many kings. In fact, rebellion
and revolt are normal there! 20 Powerful
kings have ruled over Jerusalem and the
entire province west of the Euphrates
River, receiving tribute, customs, and
tolls. 21 Therefore, issue orders to have
these men stop their work. That city
must not be rebuilt except at my express
command. 22 Be diligent, and don’t neglect
this matter, for we must not permit the
situation to harm the king’s interests.”
23 When this letter from King Artaxerxes was
read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their colleagues,
they hurried to Jerusalem. Then, with a show of
strength, they forced the Jews to stop building.
The Rebuilding Resumes
24 So the work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem had stopped, and it remained at a standstill
until the second year of the reign of King Darius
of Persia.*
5
At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews
in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in
the name of the God of Israel who was over
them. 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua
son of Jehozadak* responded by starting again
to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem.
And the prophets of God were with them and
helped them.
3 But Tattenai, governor of the province west
of the Euphrates River,* and Shethar-bozenai
and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem
and asked, “Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?”
4 They also asked for* the names of all the men
working on the Temple. 5 But because their God
was watching over them, the leaders of the
Jews were not prevented from building until a
report was sent to Darius and he returned his
decision.
Tattenai’s Letter to King Darius
6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor, Shethar-bozenai, and the other officials
of the province west of the Euphrates River sent
to King Darius:
7 “To
King Darius. Greetings.
king should know that we went
to the construction site of the Temple of
the great God in the province of Judah. It
is being rebuilt with specially prepared
stones, and timber is being laid in its walls.
8 “The