Ezra 4:7
What does Ezra 4:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:7 means
Under Artaxerxes, named officials—Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, with companions—compose a letter to the king. It is written in the Syrian script and language, signifying formal Aramaic used for imperial communication in the region. The opponents know the channels of power and use the appropriate diplomatic forms to amplify their case. By specifying language and script, the text underscores the official, public nature of the complaint. This is not gossip or rumor; it is a crafted appeal designed to secure a binding royal response. The stakes move from local opposition to state action, where a decree can halt or legitimize the work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in the time of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his friends, sent a letter to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, writing it in the Aramaean writing and language.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and in the days of Artaxerxes have Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions written unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter is written in Aramaean, and interpreted in Aramaean.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in the days of Artaxerxes, Beselam, Mithridates, and Thabeel, and the rest that were in the council wrote to Artaxerxes king of the Persians: and the letter of accusation was written in Syrian, and was read in the Syrian tongue.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic, and interpreted in Aramaic.
Context
After the general note about accusations in Ahasuerus’s time (v. 6), verse 7 focuses on an instance during Artaxerxes’s reign. The naming of senders and reference to Aramaic set the stage for the letter’s contents. Verse 8 will narrow further to Rehum and Shimshai as primary authors, and verses 9–16 will relay the argument they make. The structure builds anticipation: first the formalities, then the coalition, then the accusations themselves.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 5:6
The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king;
- Isaiah 36:11
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
- 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,
- 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.
- 2 Kings 18:26
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not with us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
- Daniel 2:4
Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in the Syrian language, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.