Ezra 4 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Ezra 5

¹Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied to them in the name of the God of Israel.

KJVThen the prophets^H5029, Haggai^H2292 the prophet^H5029, and Zechariah^H2148 the son^H1247 of Iddo^H5714, prophesied^H5013^(H8724) unto^H5922 the Jews^H3062 that were in Judah^H3061 and Jerusalem^H3390 in the name^H8036 of the God^H426 of Israel^H3479, even unto^H5922 them.

² Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.

KJVThen^H116 rose up^H6966^(H8754) Zerubbabel^H2217 the son^H1247 of Shealtiel^H7598, and Jeshua^H3443 the son^H1247 of Jozadak^H3136, and began^H8271^(H8745) to build^H1124^(H8749) the house^H1005 of God^H426 which is at Jerusalem^H3390: and with them^H5974 were the prophets^H5029 of God^H426 helping^H5583^(H8683) them.

³ At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?”

KJVAt the same time^H2166 came^H858^(H8754) to them Tatnai^(H8674), governor^H6347 on this side^H5675 the river^H5103, and Shetharboznai^H8370, and their companions^H3675, and said^H560^(H8750) thus^H3652 unto them^H5922, Who^H4479 hath commanded^H7761^(H8754)^H2942 you to build^H1124^(H8749) this^H1836 house^H1005, and to make up^H3635^(H8805) this^H1836 wall^H846?

⁴ They also asked for the names of the men who were making this building.

KJVThen^H116 said^H560^(H8754) we unto them after this manner^H3660, What^H4479 are^H581 the names^H8036 of the men^H1400 that make^H1124^(H8750) this^H1836 building^H1147?

⁵ But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.

KJVBut the eye^H5870 of their God^H426 was^H1934^(H8754) upon^H5922 the elders^H7868^(H8750) of the Jews^H3062, that they could not^H3809 cause^H989 them^H1994 to cease^H989^(H8754), till^H5705 the matter^H2941 came^H1946^(H8748) to Darius^H1868: and then^H116 they returned answer^H8421^(H8681) by letter^H5407 concerning^H5922 this^H1836 matter.

⁶ The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.

KJVThe copy^H6573 of the letter^H104 that Tatnai^(H8674), governor^H6347 on this side^H5675 the river^H5103, and Shetharboznai^H8370, and his companions^H3675 the Apharsachites^H671, which were on this side^H5675 the river^H5103, sent^H7972^(H8754) unto^H5922 Darius^H1868 the king^H4430:

⁷ They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.

KJVThey sent^H7972^(H8754) a letter^H6600 unto^H5922 him, wherein^H1459 was written^H3790^(H8752) thus^H1836; Unto Darius^H1868 the king^H4430, all^H3606 peace^H8001.

⁸ Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.

KJVBe it known^H1934^(H8748)^H3046^(H8752) unto the king^H4430, that we went^H236^(H8754) into the province^H4083 of Judea^H3061, to the house^H1005 of the great^H7229 God^H426, which is builded^H1124^(H8732) with great^H1560 stones^H69, and timber^H636 is laid^H7761^(H8727) in the walls^H3797, and this^H1791 work^H5673 goeth^H5648^(H8727) fast^H629 on, and prospereth^H6744^(H8683) in their hands^H3028.

⁹ Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”

KJVThen^H116 asked^H7593^(H8754) we those^H479 elders^H7868^(H8750), and said^H560^(H8754) unto them thus^H3660, Who^H4479 commanded^H7761^(H8754)^H2942 you to build^H1124^(H8749) this^H1836 house^H1005, and to make up^H3635^(H8805) these^H1836 walls^H846?

¹⁰ We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.

KJVWe asked^H7593^(H8754) their names^H8036 also^H638, to certify^H3046^(H8682) thee, that we might write^H3790^(H8748) the names^H8036 of the men^H1400 that were the chief^H7217 of them.

¹¹ Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.

KJVAnd thus^H3660 they returned^H8421^(H8684) us answer^H6600, saying^H560^(H8749), We^H586 are^H1994 the servants^H5649 of the God^H426 of heaven^H8065 and earth^H772, and build^H1124^(H8750) the house^H1005 that was^H1934^(H8754) builded^H1124^(H8752) these^H1836 many^H7690 years^H8140 ago^H6928, which a great^H7229 king^H4430 of Israel^H3479 builded^H1124^(H8754) and set up^H3635^(H8806).

¹² But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon.

KJVBut^H3861 after^H4481 that our fathers^H2 had provoked^H7265 the God^H426 of heaven^H8065 unto wrath^H7265^(H8684), he gave^H3052^(H8754) them^H1994 into the hand^H3028 of Nebuchadnezzar^H5020 the king^H4430 of Babylon^H895, the Chaldean^H3679, who destroyed^H5642^(H8754) this^H1836 house^H1005, and carried^H1541 the people^H5972 away^H1541^(H8684) into Babylon^H895.

¹³ But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.

KJVBut^H1297 in the first^H2298 year^H8140 of Cyrus^H3567 the king^H4430 of Babylon^H895 the same king^H4430 Cyrus^H3567 made^H7761^(H8754) a decree^H2942 to build^H1124^(H8749) this^H1836 house^H1005 of God^H426.

¹⁴ The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king also took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.

KJVAnd the vessels^H3984 also^H638 of^H1768 gold^H1722 and silver^H3702 of the house^H1005 of God^H426, which Nebuchadnezzar^H5020 took^H5312^(H8684) out of^H4481 the temple^H1965 that was in Jerusalem^H3390, and brought^H2987^(H8684) them into the temple^H1965 of Babylon^H895, those^H1994 did Cyrus^H3567 the king^H4430 take^H5312^(H8684) out of^H4481 the temple^H1965 of Babylon^H895, and they were delivered^H3052^(H8753) unto one, whose name^H8036 was Sheshbazzar^H8340, whom he had made^H7761^(H8754) governor^H6347;

¹⁵ He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in its place.’

KJVAnd said^H560^(H8754) unto him, Take^H5376^(H8747) these^H412 vessels^H3984, go^H236^(H8747), carry^H5182^(H8680) them^H1994 into the temple^H1965 that is in Jerusalem^H3390, and let the house^H1005 of God^H426 be builded^H1124^(H8731) in^H5922 his place^H870.

¹⁶ Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even until now it has been being built, and yet it is not completed.

KJVThen^H116 came^H858^(H8754) the same^H1791 Sheshbazzar^H8340, and laid^H3052^(H8754) the foundation^H787 of the house^H1005 of God^H426 which is in Jerusalem^H3390: and since^H4481 that time^H116 even until^H5705 now^H3705 hath it been in building^H1124^(H8732), and yet it is not^H3809 finished^H8000^(H8752).

¹⁷ Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was made by Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”

KJVNow^H3705 therefore, if^H2006 it seem good^H2869 to^H5922 the king^H4430, let there be search^H1240^(H8721) made in the king's^H4430 treasure^H1596 house^H1005, which is there^H8536 at Babylon^H895, whether^H2006 it be^H383 so, that a decree^H2942 was made^H7761^(H8752) of^H4481 Cyrus^H3567 the king^H4430 to build^H1124^(H8749) this^H1791 house^H1005 of God^H426 at Jerusalem^H3390, and let the king^H4430 send^H7972^(H8748) his pleasure^H7470 to us concerning^H5922 this matter^H1836.

WEB·Ezra 4

¹Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel,

KJVNow when the adversaries^H6862 of Judah^H3063 and Benjamin^H1144 heard^H8085^(H8799) that the children^H1121 of the captivity^H1473 builded^H1129^(H8802) the temple^H1964 unto the LORD^H3068 God^H430 of Israel^H3478;

² they came near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ households, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.”

KJVThen they came^H5066^(H8799) to Zerubbabel^H2216, and to the chief^H7218 of the fathers^H1, and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Let us build^H1129^(H8799) with you: for we seek^H1875^(H8799) your God^H430, as ye do; and we do sacrifice^H2076^(H8802) unto him since the days^H3117 of Esarhaddon^H634 king^H4428 of Assur^H804, which brought us up hither^H5927^(H8688).

³ But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to Yahweh, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

KJVBut Zerubbabel^H2216, and Jeshua^H3442, and the rest^H7605 of the chief^H7218 of the fathers^H1 of Israel^H3478, said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build^H1129^(H8800) an house^H1004 unto our God^H430; but we ourselves together^H3162 will build^H1129^(H8799) unto the LORD^H3068 God^H430 of Israel^H3478, as king^H4428 Cyrus^H3566 the king^H4428 of Persia^H6539 hath commanded^H6680^(H8765) us.

⁴ Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.

KJVThen the people^H5971 of the land^H776 weakened^H7503^(H8764) the hands^H3027 of the people^H5971 of Judah^H3063, and troubled^H926^(H8764)^(H8675)^H1089^(H8764) them in building^H1129^(H8800),

⁵ They hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

KJVAnd hired^H7936^(H8802) counsellors^H3289^(H8802) against them, to frustrate^H6565^(H8687) their purpose^H6098, all the days^H3117 of Cyrus^H3566 king^H4428 of Persia^H6539, even until the reign^H4438 of Darius^H1867 king^H4428 of Persia^H6539.

⁶ In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

KJVAnd in the reign^H4438 of Ahasuerus^H325, in the beginning^H8462 of his reign^H4438, wrote^H3789^(H8804) they unto him an accusation^H7855 against the inhabitants^H3427^(H8802) of Judah^H3063 and Jerusalem^H3389.

⁷ In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.

KJVAnd in the days^H3117 of Artaxerxes^H783 wrote^H3789^(H8804) Bishlam^H1312, Mithredath^H4990, Tabeel^H2870, and the rest^H7605 of their companions^H3674, unto Artaxerxes^H783 king^H4428 of Persia^H6539; and the writing^H3791 of the letter^H5406 was written^H3789^(H8803) in the Syrian tongue^H762, and interpreted^H8638^(H8794) in the Syrian tongue^H762.

⁸ Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.

KJVRehum^H7348 the chancellor^H1169^H2942 and Shimshai^H8124 the scribe^H5613 wrote^H3790^(H8754) a^H2298 letter^H104 against^H5922 Jerusalem^H3390 to Artaxerxes^H783 the king^H4430 in this sort^H3660:

⁹ Then Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

KJVThen^H116 wrote Rehum^H7348 the chancellor^H1169^H2942, and Shimshai^H8124 the scribe^H5613, and the rest^H7606 of their companions^H3675; the Dinaites^H1784, the Apharsathchites^H671, the Tarpelites^H2967, the Apharsites^H670, the Archevites^H756, the Babylonians^H896, the Susanchites^H7801, the Dehavites^H1723, and the Elamites^H5962,

¹⁰ and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth, wrote.

KJVAnd the rest^H7606 of the nations^H524 whom^H1768 the great^H7229 and noble^H3358 Asnappar^H620 brought over^H1541^(H8684), and set^H3488^(H8684)^H1994 in the cities^H7149 of Samaria^H8115, and the rest^H7606 that are on this side^H5675 the river^H5103, and at such a time^H3706.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the River.

KJVThis^H1836 is the copy^H6573 of the letter^H104 that^H1768 they sent^H7972^(H8754) unto him^H5922, even unto Artaxerxes^H783 the king^H4430; Thy servants^H5649 the men^H606 on this side^H5675 the river^H5103, and at such a time^H3706.

¹² Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.

KJVBe it^H1934^(H8748) known^H3046^(H8752) unto the king^H4430, that the Jews^H3062 which^H1768 came up^H5559^(H8760) from^H4481 thee^H3890 to us^H5922 are come^H858^(H8754) unto Jerusalem^H3390, building^H1124^(H8750) the rebellious^H4779 and the bad^H873 city^H7149, and have set up^H3635^(H8806)^(H8675)^H3635^(H8720) the walls^H7792 thereof, and joined^H2338^(H8681) the foundations^H787.

¹³ Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

KJVBe it known^H3046^(H8752)^H1934^(H8748) now^H3705 unto the king^H4430, that, if^H2006 this^H1791 city^H7149 be builded^H1124^(H8731), and the walls^H7792 set up^H3635^(H8720) again, then will they not^H3809 pay^H5415^(H8748) toll^H4061, tribute^H1093, and custom^H1983, and so thou shalt endamage^H5142^(H8681) the revenue^H674 of the kings^H4430.

¹⁴ Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king,

KJVNow^H3705 because^H6903^H3606 we have^H1768 maintenance^H4415^(H8754)^H4416 from the king's palace^H1965, and it was not^H3809 meet^H749^(H8750) for us to see^H2370^(H8749) the king's^H4430 dishonour^H6173, therefore^H5922^H1836 have we sent^H7972^(H8754) and certified^H3046^(H8684) the king^H4430;

¹⁵ that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.

KJVThat search^H1240^(H8741) may be made in the book^H5609 of the records^H1799 of thy fathers^H2: so shalt thou find^H7912^(H8681) in the book^H5609 of the records^H1799, and know^H3046^(H8748) that this^H1791 city^H7149 is a rebellious^H4779 city^H7149, and hurtful^H5142^(H8683) unto kings^H4430 and provinces^H4083, and that they have moved^H5648^(H8751) sedition^H849 within the same^H1459 of^H4481 old^H5957 time^H3118: for^H5922 which^H1836 cause was this^H1791 city^H7149 destroyed^H2718^(H8717).

¹⁶ We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.

KJVWe^H586 certify^H3046^(H8683) the king^H4430 that, if^H2006 this^H1791 city^H7149 be builded^H1124^(H8731) again, and the walls^H7792 thereof set up^H3635^(H8720), by this^H1836 means^H6903 thou shalt have^H383 no^H3809 portion^H2508 on this side^H5675 the river^H5103.

¹⁷ Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace.

KJVThen sent^H7972^(H8754) the king^H4430 an answer^H6600 unto^H5922 Rehum^H7348 the chancellor^H1169^H2942, and to Shimshai^H8124 the scribe^H5613, and to the rest^H7606 of their companions^H3675 that dwell^H3488^(H8750) in Samaria^H8115, and unto the rest^H7606 beyond^H5675 the river^H5103, Peace^H8001, and at such a time^H3706.

¹⁸ The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

KJVThe letter^H5407 which ye sent^H7972^(H8754) unto us^H5922 hath been plainly^H6568^(H8744) read^H7123^(H8752) before^H6925 me.

¹⁹ I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.

KJVAnd I^H4481 commanded^H7761^(H8752)^H2942, and search^H1240^(H8745) hath been made, and it is found^H7912^(H8684) that this^H1791 city^H7149 of^H4481 old^H5957 time^H3118 hath made insurrection^H5376^(H8723) against^H5922 kings^H4430, and that rebellion^H4776 and sedition^H849 have been made^H5648^(H8727) therein.

²⁰ There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.

KJVThere have been^H1934^(H8754) mighty^H8624 kings^H4430 also over^H5922 Jerusalem^H3390, which have ruled^H7990 over all^H3606 countries beyond^H5675 the river^H5103; and toll^H4061, tribute^H1093, and custom^H1983, was paid^H3052^(H8727) unto them.

²¹ Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.

KJVGive^H7761^(H8747) ye now^H3705 commandment^H2942 to cause^H989 these^H479 men^H1400 to cease^H989^(H8749), and that this^H1791 city^H7149 be not^H3809 builded^H1124^(H8731), until^H5705 another commandment^H2941 shall be given^H7761^(H8725) from me^H4481.

²² Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

KJVTake heed^H1934^(H8747)^H2095^(H8750) now that ye fail^H7960 not to do^H5922^H5648^(H8749) this^H1836: why^H4101 should damage^H2257 grow^H7680^(H8748) to the hurt^H5142^(H8682) of the kings^H4430?

²³ Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.

KJVNow^H116 when^H4481^H1768 the copy^H6573 of king^H4430 Artaxerxes^H783' letter^H5407 was read^H7123^(H8752) before^H6925 Rehum^H7348, and Shimshai^H8124 the scribe^H5613, and their companions^H3675, they went up^H236^(H8754) in haste^H924 to Jerusalem^H3390 unto^H5922 the Jews^H3062, and made them^H1994 to cease^H989^(H8754) by force^H153 and power^H2429.

²⁴ Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

KJVThen^H116 ceased^H989^(H8754) the work^H5673 of the house^H1005 of God^H426 which is at Jerusalem^H3390. So it ceased^H1934^(H8754)^H989^(H8750) unto^H5705 the second^H8648 year^H8140 of the reign^H4437 of Darius^H1868 king^H4430 of Persia^H6540.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of Ezra.