📖 Ezra — Chapter 4 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ezra 4:1 Now when Rthe adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that Tthe children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;
Ezra 4:2 Then they came to RZerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, RYe have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land Rweakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
Ezra 4:5 And Rhired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Ezra 4:6 And in the reign of TAhasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, Rwrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
Ezra 4:7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote TBishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their Tcompanions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the RTscribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
Ezra 4:9 Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their Tcompanions; Rthe Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and Tat such a time.
Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
Ezra 4:12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the Rrebellious and the bad city, and have Tset up the walls thereof, and Tjoined the foundations.
Ezra 4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, Rif this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not Tpay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the Trevenue of the kings.
Ezra 4:14 Now because Twe have maintenance from the king’s palace, Rand it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have Tmoved sedition Twithin the same of old time: Rfor which cause was this city destroyed.
Ezra 4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means Rthou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
Ezra 4:17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their RTcompanions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
Ezra 4:19 And TI commanded, and Rsearch hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath Tmade insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries Rbeyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
Ezra 4:21 TGive ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
Ezra 4:22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: Rwhy should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before RRehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease Tby force and power.
Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of RDarius king of Persia.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 4:1–5 — Opposition to the temple work
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Opponents offer participation, but the leaders decline under the commission given by Cyrus. The surrounding people then discourage the builders and hire counsel against them. The passage describes this particular conflict, not a rule for rejecting every outsider's help. Discernment must attend to the purpose and setting of the work.
Key Truth: Discern help and opposition in light of the entrusted purpose.
Check What You Remember
1. Which leaders answered the offer with the household chiefs? (Ezra 4:3)
Find it in Ezra 4:3 (KJV).
2. Which king had commissioned their building? (Ezra 4:3)
Find it in Ezra 4:3 (KJV).
3. What did the opponents hire to frustrate the work? (Ezra 4:5)
Find it in Ezra 4:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 4:6–16 — Accusations across later reigns
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The account broadens to accusations under Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes, including a letter about Jerusalem's city and walls. The writers warn of lost taxes and appeal to royal records. Notice the change from temple work to the wider city dispute; the chapter collects opposition before returning to the temple's interruption.
Key Truth: Read the details of accusations rather than merging distinct events.
Check What You Remember
1. To which king was the quoted city letter sent? (Ezra 4:7)
Find it in Ezra 4:7 (KJV).
2. Who was the scribe writing with Rehum? (Ezra 4:8)
Find it in Ezra 4:8 (KJV).
3. What revenue did the letter say might be lost? (Ezra 4:13)
Find it in Ezra 4:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 4:17–24 — A royal order and halted work
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Artaxerxes orders the city work stopped pending further command, and the opponents enforce the letter by power. The chapter then returns to the temple work's cessation until Darius's second year. This ending prepares for the prophetic encouragement in chapter 5. Interruption is serious, but it will not be the whole story.
Key Truth: Do not assume interruption is the final outcome.
Check What You Remember
1. Which king sent the cease order in the quoted letter? (Ezra 4:17)
Find it in Ezra 4:17 (KJV).
2. How did the opponents enforce it? (Ezra 4:23)
Find it in Ezra 4:23 (KJV).
3. Until whose second year did the temple work cease? (Ezra 4:24)
Find it in Ezra 4:24 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Ezra 5:1 — The next chapter records prophetic encouragement after the interruption.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you remain patient and attentive when a worthwhile task is interrupted?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do the leaders answer the offer to help build?
2. How is opposition described beyond the initial offer?
3. What concern does the letter raise about a rebuilt city?
4. What does the king ask to have checked?
5. How does the chapter’s closing return to the temple work?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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