Ezra 4:3
What does Ezra 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:3 means
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders refuse the offer. They insist that the rebuilding of God’s house is their responsibility alone, undertaken in obedience to Jehovah and in line with Cyrus’s command. The refusal is not petty exclusiveness but covenant faithfulness—preserving the purity of worship and the integrity of God’s assignment to Israel. By appealing to the royal authorization, they also remain within lawful boundaries. The verse reveals wise leadership that resists mixed alliances in sacred work, recognizing that not all offers advance God’s purpose. Clear lines prevent dilution of worship and protect the community’s accountability before the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of families in Israel said to them, You have no part with us in the building of a house for our God; we ourselves will do the work together for the Lord, the God of Israel, as Cyrus, king of Persia, has given us orders.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Zerubbabel saith to them, also Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of the fathers of Israel, `Not for you, and for us, to build a house to our God; but we ourselves together do build to Jehovah God of Israel, as the king Cyrus, king of Persia, commanded us.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Zorobabel, and Josue, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel said to them: You have nothing to do with us to build a house to our God, but we ourselves alone will build to the Lord our God, as Cyrus king of the Persians hath commanded us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the chief fathers of Israel said to them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house to ourGod, but we alone will build to Jehovah theGod of Israel, as king Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.
Context
Following the adversaries’ proposal in verse 2, verse 3 supplies a firm, unified reply from Israel’s recognized leaders. The appeal to Jehovah and Cyrus grounds their stance both theologically and legally. This decision becomes the turning point that triggers open hostility. In verses 4–5, the rebuffed neighbors move from persuasion to pressure, showing how a rejected compromise can harden into active opposition. The flow underscores the cost of faithfulness and the inevitability of conflict when God’s people refuse to blend worship with practices foreign to His covenant.
v.2then 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.
v.3This passage
v.4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 4:22
Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, andput italso in writing, saying,
- 3 John 1:9
I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
- Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
- Nehemiah 2:20
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
- Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.