Ezra 4:17
What does Ezra 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:17 means
Artaxerxes replies formally to Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions in Samaria and the region beyond the River, offering a standard greeting of peace. The king treats the petition as legitimate and addresses the coalition as recognized provincial authorities. This underscores the difficulty the Jews face: the machinery of empire is attentive to their opponents. The official acknowledgment lends weight to whatever decree follows. The verse reveals that even when God’s people act under earlier permissions, new rulers can be swayed by fresh accusations, complicating their obedience and stalling their mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thensent 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then sent 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 unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thensent 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the king sent an answer to Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, and their friends living in Samaria, and to the rest of those across the river, saying, Peace to you:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862An answer hath the king sent unto Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions who are dwelling in Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, `Peace, and at such a time:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The king sent word to Reum Beelteem and Samsai the scribe, and to the rest that were in their council, inhabitants of Samaria, and to the rest beyond the river, sending greeting and peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and the other places beyond the river: Peace, and so forth.
Context
Having heard the charges (vv. 12–16), the king’s response begins here. Verse 17 names the recipients, matching the petition’s senders and signaling that an authoritative decision is forthcoming. The next verses (18–20) report the results of the inquiry into the records, which substantiate aspects of the complaint. Verses 21–22 then deliver the decree to stop the building, setting up the enforcement described in verse 23.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 4:7
And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian character, and set forth in the Syrian tongue.
- Ezra 5:7
they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto Darius the king, all peace.
- Ezra 4:9
then 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,
- Luke 10:5
And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 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.