Ezra 4:2
What does Ezra 4:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:2 means
The adversaries approach Zerubbabel and the family heads with an offer to help, claiming to seek the same God and to have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esar-haddon of Assyria, who resettled them in the land. Their appeal leans on shared religion and long practice, yet the narrative’s label “adversaries” hints at mixed motives. They present themselves as partners, but their history stems from forced relocation and a syncretistic worship that blended local and imported beliefs. The verse shows that opposition sometimes comes dressed as cooperation, inviting God’s people to compromise on purity and calling under the guise of unity and shared piety.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000then they drew near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ houses, and said unto them, Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as ye do; and we sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then they came to Zerubbabel, 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 Esar–haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901then they drew near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers’ houses, and said unto them, Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as ye do; and we sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of families, and said to them, Let us take part in the building with you; for we are servants of your God, even as you are; and we have been making offerings to him from the days of Esar-haddon, king of Assyria, who put us here.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they draw nigh unto Zerubbabel, and unto heads of the fathers, and say to them, `Let us build with you; for, like you, we seek to your God, and we are not sacrificing since the days of Esar-Haddon king of Asshur, who brought us up hither.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they came to Zorobabel, and the chief of the fathers, and said to them: Let us build with you, for we seek your God as ye do: behold we have sacrificed to him, since the days of Asor Haddan king of Assyria, who brought us hither.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and they came to Zerubbabel and to the chief fathers, and said to them, We would build with you; for we seek yourGod, as ye; and we have sacrificed to him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.
Context
After introducing the opponents in verse 1, the narrative records their initial tactic: a friendly offer. They address recognized leaders—Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses—seeking credibility. The claim of worship continuity provides a pretext for involvement. This sets up the decisive response in verse 3, where the leaders draw a boundary based on God’s command and Cyrus’s decree. The transition highlights a test of discernment: whether to accept help that would alter the nature of the work and the identity of those called to do it.
v.1Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel;
v.2This passage
v.3But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us in building a house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 17:27
Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the law of the god of the land.
- Ezra 3:12
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, the old men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
- 2 Peter 2:1
But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
- 2 Kings 17:41
So these nations feared Jehovah, and served their graven images; their children likewise, and their children’s children, as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
- 2 Timothy 3:8
And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.
- Ezra 1:5
Then rose up the heads of fathers’housesof Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.