LOOKING FOR EZRA

[JLG]

Ezra 4:8

Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

and Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

wrote
כְּתַ֛בוּ (kə·ṯa·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3790: To grave, to write

a
חֲדָ֖ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

letter
אִגְּרָ֥ה (’ig·gə·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 104: An epistle

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

to King
מַלְכָּ֖א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

as follows:
כְּנֵֽמָא׃ (kə·nê·mā)
Adverb
Strong's 3660: Accordingly, as follows

• A commander and a scribe send a letter against Jerusalem to Ataxerxes!
• Everything is well organized!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:9

From Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֖ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of their associates—
כְּנָוָתְה֑וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

the judges
דִּ֠ינָיֵא (dî·nā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1784: A Dinaite

and officials
וַאֲפַרְסַתְכָיֵ֞א (wa·’ă·p̄ar·saṯ·ḵā·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 671: An Apharsekite, Apharsathkite

over Tripolis,
טַרְפְּלָיֵ֣א (ṭar·pə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2967: Official (a person title)

Persia,
אֲפָֽרְסָיֵ֗א (’ă·p̄ā·rə·sā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 670: An Apherasite

Erech
אַרְכְּוָיֵ֤א (’ar·kə·wā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 756: Erech -- inhabitants of Erech

and Babylon,
בָבְלָיֵא֙ (ḇā·ḇə·lā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 896: Babylonians -- a Babylonian

the Elamites
עֵלְמָיֵֽא׃ (‘ê·lə·mā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5962: Elamites -- inhabitants of Elam

of Susa,
שֽׁוּשַׁנְכָיֵ֔א (šū·šan·ḵā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7801: Susa -- a Shushankite

• We are told about the different opponents ofv the reconstruction of Jerusalem!
• A commander!
• A scribe!
• Their associates!
• Judges and officials!
• Quite real!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:10

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of the peoples
אֻמַּיָּ֗א (’um·may·yā)
Noun - feminine plural determinate
Strong's 524: A collection, community of persons

whom
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the great
רַבָּ֣א (rab·bā)
Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7229: Abundant

and honorable
וְיַקִּירָ֔א (wə·yaq·qî·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3358: Honorable, difficult

Ashurbanipal
אָסְנַפַּר֙ (’ā·sə·nap·par)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 620: Osnappar -- an Assyrian king

relocated
הַגְלִי֙ (haḡ·lî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1541: To denude, to exile, to reveal

and settled
וְהוֹתֵ֣ב (wə·hō·w·ṯêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in the cities
בְּקִרְיָ֖ה (bə·qir·yāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

Samaria
שָׁמְרָ֑יִן (šā·mə·rā·yin)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and
וּשְׁאָ֥ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

elsewhere west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Aššur-bāni-apli, meaning "Ashur is the creator of the heir") was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 669 BCE to his death in 631. He is generally remembered as the last great king of Assyria.

• More opponents in Samaria and west of the Euphrates!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:11

(This
דְּנָה֙ (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

is the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֣גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
אִגַּרְתָּ֔א (’ig·gar·tā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 104: An epistle

they sent
שְׁלַ֣חוּ (šə·la·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to him.)
עֲל֔וֹהִי (‘ă·lō·w·hî)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

King
מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes,
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּא (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

From your servants,
עַבְדָ֛יךְ‪‬‪‬ (‘aḇ·ḏā·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5649: Slave, servant

the men
אֱנָ֥שׁ (’ĕ·nāš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 606: Man, mankind

west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֖ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

• Interesting to have the letter of their opponents to the king!
• It is so real!
• That’s definitely the interest of the Bible!
• We are told about good and bad actions!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:12

Let it be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the Jews
יְהוּדָיֵ֗א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

who
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

came
סְלִ֙קוּ֙ (sə·li·qū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5559: To ascend

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

you
לְוָתָ֔ךְ (lə·wā·ṯāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3890: Adhesion, with

have returned
אֲת֖וֹ (’ă·ṯōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 858: To arrive

to us
עֲלֶ֥ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

at Jerusalem.
לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And they are rebuilding
תתן־ (bā·na·yin)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1124: To build

that rebellious
מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א (mā·rā·ḏə·tā)
Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

and wicked
ובאישתא (ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 873: Wicked

city,
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

restoring
אשכללו (šaḵ·li·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

its walls,
ושורי (wə·šū·ray·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

and repairing
יַחִֽיטוּ׃ (ya·ḥî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2338: To string together, to repair

its foundations.
וְאֻשַּׁיָּ֖א (wə·’uš·šay·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 787: A foundation

• The opponents speak about the rebellious and wicked city of Jerusalem!

• They speak about the reconstruction of the walls and of the foundations!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:13

Let it now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

that
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

they will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

pay
יִנְתְּנ֔וּן (yin·tə·nūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5415: To give

tribute,
מִנְדָּֽה־ (min·dāh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֤וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

or toll,
וַהֲלָךְ֙ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

and the royal
מַלְכִ֖ים (mal·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

treasury
וְאַפְּתֹ֥ם (wə·’ap·pə·ṯōm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 674: Revenue, others at the last

will suffer.
תְּהַנְזִֽק׃ (tə·han·ziq)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

• They say that Jerusalem will rebel and won’t pay tribute, duty and toll!
• As a consequence, the royal treasury will suffer!
• Past history is there to testify!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:14

Now
כְּעַ֗ן (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

because
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

we are in the service
מְלַ֔חְנָא (mə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 4415: To eat salt, subsist

of the palace
הֵֽיכְלָא֙ (hê·ḵə·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1965: A large public building, palace, temple

and it is not fitting
אֲ‍ֽרִֽיךְ (’ărîḵ-)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 749: Fitting, proper

for us
לַ֖נָא (la·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

to allow
לְמֶֽחֱזֵ֑א (lə·me·ḥĕ·zê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

the king
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

to be dishonored,
וְעַרְוַ֣ת (wə·‘ar·waṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6173: Nakedness, impoverishment

we have sent
שְׁלַ֖חְנָא (šə·laḥ·nā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

to inform
וְהוֹדַ֥עְנָא (wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּֽא׃ (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

• They try to attract the attention of the king by saying he would be dishonored!
• They try to make him think of his personal interests!
• But it has nothing to do with that!
• They are just opponents!
• Anything will do so they can get what they want!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:15

that
דִּ֡י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

a search should be made
יְבַקַּר֩ (yə·ḇaq·qar)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

of the record
דָּכְרָ֨נַיָּ֜א (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּֽסְפַר־ (bis·p̄ar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

your fathers.
אֲבָהָתָ֗ךְ (’ă·ḇā·hā·ṯāḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2: Father

[In these]
דָּכְרָנַיָּא֮ (dā·ḵə·rā·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1799: Memorandum, record

books
בִּסְפַ֣ר (bis·p̄ar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

you will discover
וּ֠תְהַשְׁכַּח (ū·ṯə·haš·kaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7912: To discover

and verify
וְתִנְדַּע֒ (wə·ṯin·da‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

that
דִּי֩ (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the city
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is a rebellious
מָֽרָדָ֗א (mā·rā·ḏā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

city,
קִרְיָ֣א (qir·yā)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7149: Building

harmful
וּֽמְהַנְזְקַ֤ת (ū·mə·han·zə·qaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

to kings
מַלְכִין֙ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

and provinces,
וּמְדִנָ֔ן (ū·mə·ḏi·nān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4083: A judgeship, jurisdiction, a district, a region

inciting
עָבְדִ֣ין (‘ā·ḇə·ḏîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5648: To do, make, prepare, keep

sedition
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּוּר֙ (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

ancient
עָלְמָ֑א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times.
יוֹמָ֖ת (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

That is why
עַ֨ל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

this
דָ֜ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

was destroyed.
הָֽחָרְבַֽת׃ (hā·ḥā·rə·ḇaṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2718: To be a waste

• And they ask the king to check what they say in the books of his fathers!
• And in fact, it is true!
• So it is a good argument!
• They look for their own interests but they use good arguments!
• Of course, against their opponents!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:16

We
אֲנַ֙חְנָה֙ (’ă·naḥ·nāh)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 586: We

advise
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין (mə·hō·wḏ·‘în)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

you will have
אִיתַ֖י (’î·ṯay)
Adverb
Strong's 383: Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is

no
לָ֥א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

dominion
חֲלָק֙ (ḥă·lāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2508: Portion, possession

west
בַּעֲבַ֣ר (ba·‘ă·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֔א (na·hă·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates


- They tell the king that if he lets the city be rebuilt with its walls, he will lose control of the city!
- Thus it is against his own interests!
- Meaning it can start with jerusalem and then spread to other cities and countries!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:17

[Then] the king
מַלְכָּ֗א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

sent
שְׁלַ֣ח (šə·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

this reply:
פִּתְגָמָ֞א (piṯ·ḡā·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 6600: A word, answer, letter, decree

To
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Rehum
רְח֤וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander,
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֣י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and the rest
וּשְׁאָר֙ (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

of your associates
כְּנָוָ֣תְה֔וֹן (kə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

living
יָתְבִ֖ין (yā·ṯə·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3488: To sit, dwell

in Samaria
בְּשָֽׁמְרָ֑יִן (bə·šā·mə·rā·yin)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8115: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and elsewhere
וּשְׁאָ֧ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7606: Rest, remainder

in the region west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates:
נַהֲרָ֛ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Greetings.
שְׁלָ֖ם (šə·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8001: Welfare, prosperity

• The king answers them!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:18

The letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕א (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

you sent
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן (šə·laḥ·tūn)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7972: To send away, for, out

us
עֲלֶ֑ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

has been translated
מְפָרַ֥שׁ (mə·p̄ā·raš)
Verb - Piel - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6568: To make distinct

and read
קֱרִ֖י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

in my presence.
קָדָמָֽי׃ (qā·ḏā·māy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 6925: Before

• The letter has been translated and read before the king!
• It takes it seriously!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:19

I issued
שִׂ֣ים (śîm)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

a decree,
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

and a search was conducted.
וּבַקַּ֣רוּ (ū·ḇaq·qa·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

It was discovered
וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ (wə·haš·ka·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7912: To discover

that
דִּ֚י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

this
דָ֔ךְ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֣א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

has revolted
מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה (miṯ·naś·śə·’āh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5376: To lift, take, carry

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

kings
מַלְכִ֖ין (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

from ancient
עָֽלְמָ֔א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times,
יוֹמָת֙ (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

engaging in rebellion
וּמְרַ֥ד (ū·mə·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4776: Rebellion

and sedition.
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion

• Jerusalem has a history of rebellion and sedition!
• Thus it is not only against Yah.weh!
• It is something natural for the people!
• It has always been so!
• And it is well known by everybody!
• In fact, it started with Jacob’s sons!
• Despite their bad actions, they were protected by Yah.weh!
• Otherwise their history would have stopped from the beginning!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:20

And mighty
תַּקִּיפִ֗ין (taq·qî·p̄în)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8624: Strong, mighty

kings
וּמַלְכִ֣ין (ū·mal·ḵîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

have ruled over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and exercised authority
וְשַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין (wə·šal·lî·ṭîn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7990: Mighty, permission, a premier

over the whole
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

region west
עֲבַ֣ר (‘ă·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֑ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

and tribute,
וּמִדָּ֥ה (ū·mid·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֛וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

and toll
וַהֲלָ֖ךְ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

were paid
מִתְיְהֵ֥ב (miṯ·yə·hêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

to them.
לְהֽוֹן׃ (lə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

• Here we are told about mighty kings ruling over Jerusalem!
• And taxes were paid to them!
• Thus here it takes into account everything!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:21

Now, therefore,
כְּעַן֙ (kə·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3705: Now

issue
שִׂ֣ימוּ (śî·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7761: To set, make

an order
טְּעֵ֔ם (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

for these
אִלֵּ֑ךְ (’il·lêḵ)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 479: These

men
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א (guḇ·ray·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1400: A person

to stop,
לְבַטָּלָ֖א (lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 989: To cease

so that this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
וְקִרְיְתָ֥א (wə·qir·yə·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

will not
לָ֣א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

be rebuilt
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א (ṯiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

I
מִנִּ֖י (min·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

so order.
טַעְמָ֥א (ṭa‘·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2941: Account, to be commanded, commandment, matter

• Here it seems that their enemies have won!
• The reconstruction is stopped!
• The arguments have worked!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:22

See that you
וּזְהִירִ֥ין (ū·zə·hî·rîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2095: Be admonished

do not neglect
שָׁל֖וּ (šā·lū)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7960: Neglect, remissness

this matter.
דְּנָ֑ה (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

Why
לְמָה֙ (lə·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4101: Interrogative what?, what!, indefinitely what

allow this threat
חֲבָלָ֔א (ḥă·ḇā·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2257: A hurt, injury

to increase
יִשְׂגֵּ֣א (yiś·gê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7680: To grow great

and the royal
מַלְכִֽין׃ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

interests to suffer?
לְהַנְזָקַ֖ת (lə·han·zā·qaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury

• Everything is against the city!
• Not only Yah.weh!
• We should remember that!
• It is difficult to build up a good reputation!
• It is easy to ruin it!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:23

When
אֱדַ֗יִן (’ĕ·ḏa·yin)
Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֤גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6573: A transcript

of the letter
נִשְׁתְּוָנָא֙ (niš·tə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5407: An epistle

from King
מַלְכָּ֔א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

was read
קֱרִ֧י (qĕ·rî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

to
קֳדָם־ (qo·ḏām-)
Preposition
Strong's 6925: Before

Rehum,
רְח֛וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֥י (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe,
סָפְרָ֖א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

and their associates,
וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

they went
אֲזַ֨לוּ (’ă·za·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 236: To go, go off

immediately
בִבְהִיל֤וּ (ḇiḇ·hî·lū)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 924: A hurry, hastily

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

in Jerusalem
לִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙ (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and forcibly
בְּאֶדְרָ֥ע (bə·’eḏ·rā‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 153: An arm, power

stopped
וּבַטִּ֥לוּ (ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 989: To cease

them.
הִמּ֖וֹ (him·mōw)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1994: They

• It seems that their enemies have won!
• They are going to stop them!
• And they do it as fast as possible!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:24

Thus
בֵּאדַ֗יִן (bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

the construction
עֲבִידַ֣ת (‘ă·ḇî·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5673: Labor, business

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֔א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem
בִּירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (bî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

ceased,
בְּטֵלַת֙ (bə·ṭê·laṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

and it remained
וַהֲוָת֙ (wa·hă·wāṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

at a standstill
בָּֽטְלָ֔א (bā·ṭə·lā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 989: To cease

until
עַ֚ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

the second
תַּרְתֵּ֔ין (tar·tên)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8648: Two

year
שְׁנַ֣ת (šə·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8140: A year

of the reign
לְמַלְכ֖וּת (lə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

of King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4430: A king

Darius
דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ (dā·rə·yā·weš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1868: Darius -- two person kings

of Persia.
פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6540: Persians -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

• Thus the reconstruction of the house of Yah.weh ceased until the second year of the reign of king Darius!

https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1271&context=jvbl

The construction of the Temple was halted for about 18 years, and it was not until the ascension of Darius I to the Persian throne that the rebuilding was resumed. In the second year of King Darius, the prophet Haggai urged the Jews to erect the Second Temple (Haggai 1:1).

• Definitely a long time!
• And quite stressful!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 5:1

Later, the prophets
נְבִיָּ֗א (nə·ḇî·yā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5013: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration, to prophesy, speak, by inspiration

Haggai
חַגַּ֣י (ḥag·gay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2292: Haggai -- 'festal', a Hebrew prophet

and Zechariah
וּזְכַרְיָ֤ה (ū·zə·ḵar·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2148: Zachariah -- the name of a number of Israelites

son
בַר־ (ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Iddo
עִדּוֹא֙ (‘id·dō·w)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5714: Iddo -- 'timely', the name of several Israelites

prophesied
וְהִתְנַבִּ֞י (wə·hiṯ·nab·bî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5013: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration, to prophesy, speak, by inspiration

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

in Judah
בִיה֖וּד (ḇî·hūḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3061: Judah -- the southern kingdom, named for one of the twelve tribes

and Jerusalem
וּבִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (ū·ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

in the name
בְּשֻׁ֛ם (bə·šum)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8036: A name

of the God
אֱלָ֥הּ (’ĕ·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 426: God

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3479: Israel -- descendant of Jacob

who was over them.
עֲלֵיהֽוֹן׃ (‘ă·lê·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

- Here we are told about two prophets:

- Haggai and Zechariah!

- And they prophesied!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 5:2

Then
בֵּאדַ֡יִן (bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116: Then, thereupon

Zerubbabel
זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל (zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2217: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', leader of returning Israelite exiles

son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Shealtiel
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ (šə·’al·tî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7598: Shealtiel -- 'I have asked of God', an Israelite name

and Jeshua
וְיֵשׁ֣וּעַ (wə·yê·šū·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3443: Jeshua -- a high priest after the Babylonian captivity

son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1247: A son, grandson

of Jozadak
יֽוֹצָדָ֔ק (yō·w·ṣā·ḏāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3136: Jotsadak

rose up
קָ֠מוּ (qā·mū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6966: To arise, stand

and began
וְשָׁרִ֣יו (wə·šā·rîw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8271: To free, separate, to unravel, commence, to reside

to rebuild
לְמִבְנֵ֔א (lə·miḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1124: To build

the house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1005: A house

of God
אֱלָהָ֖א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem.
בִירֽוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And the prophets
נְבִיַּיָּ֥א (nə·ḇî·yay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 5029: A prophet

of
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

God
אֱלָהָ֖א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

were with them,
וְעִמְּה֛וֹן (wə·‘im·mə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5974: With, equally with

helping them.
מְסָעֲדִ֥ין (mə·sā·‘ă·ḏîn)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5583: To support, sustain

• Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuild the house of yah.weh in Jerusalem!
• And the prophets are with them, helping them!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 5:3

At that time
זִמְנָא֩ (zim·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2166: An appointed occasion

Tattenai
תַּ֠תְּנַי (tat·tə·nay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8674: Tattenai

the governor
פַּחַ֧ת (pa·ḥaṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6347: A governor

of the region west
עֲבַֽר־ (‘ă·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֛ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

Shethar-bozenai,
בּוֹזְנַ֖י (bō·wz·nay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8370: Shethar-bozenai -- a person official

and their associates
וּכְנָוָתְה֑וֹן (ū·ḵə·nā·wā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3675: An associate

went
אֲתָ֨א (’ă·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 858: To arrive

to
עֲלֵיה֜וֹן (‘ă·lê·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the Jews and asked,
אָמְרִ֣ין (’ā·mə·rîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command

“Who
מַן־ (man-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4479: Who, what

authorized you
שָׂ֨ם (śām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

to rebuild
לִבְּנֵ֔א (lib·bə·nê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1124: To build

this
דְנָה֙ (ḏə·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

temple
בַּיְתָ֤א (bay·ṯā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1005: A house

and restore
לְשַׁכְלָלָֽה׃ (lə·šaḵ·lā·lāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3635: To complete

this
דְנָ֖ה (ḏə·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

structure?”
וְאֻשַּׁרְנָ֥א (wə·’uš·šar·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 846: Perhaps a wall

• Once again we are told about opponents to the Jews!
• They are ready to do anything to stop the Jews!