Ezra 4:10
What does Ezra 4:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:10 means
The letter claims to speak for “the rest of the nations” whom the great and noble Osnappar relocated and settled in Samaria and the broader region beyond the River. By naming a renowned Assyrian ruler, the writers tie their presence to imperial policy and tradition, legitimizing their stake in the land. They present themselves as heirs of a long-standing administrative order, with a right to shape regional outcomes. The point is to frame Jerusalem’s rebuilding as a disruption to a carefully maintained provincial balance, justifying imperial scrutiny and restraint. The boast of noble origins seeks to cloak envy and fear in the language of governance and history.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the rest of the nations which the great and noble Osnappar took over and put in Samaria and the rest of the country over the river:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the rest of the nations that the great and honourable Asnapper removed and set in the city of Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, and at such a time:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the rest of the nations, whom the great and glorious Asenaphar brought over: and made to dwell in the cities of Samaria and in the rest of the countries of this side of the river in peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and the rest of the peoples whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest [of the country] on this side the river, and so forth.
Context
Verse 9 listed various peoples aligned with the opposition. Verse 10 roots their presence in earlier resettlements, giving the coalition a historical pedigree. This prepares for the formal citation of the letter in verse 11 and the substance of its charges in verses 12–16. The narrative’s careful buildup enhances the plausibility of the complaint in the king’s eyes, making his later response (vv. 17–22) more understandable, even if it is unfavorable to Jerusalem.
v.9then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and 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,
v.10This passage
v.11This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 4:11
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.
- Ezra 4:1
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel;
- Ezra 7:12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.
- Romans 13:7
Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
- 2 Kings 17:24
And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
- Ezra 4:17
Thensent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.