Ezra 4:8
What does Ezra 4:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:8 means
Rehum, the chancellor, and Shimshai, the scribe, take the lead in drafting a letter opposing Jerusalem. Their titles suggest administrative authority: one overseeing provincial affairs, the other managing official records. Their opposition is not merely personal but institutional, harnessing the machinery of governance to resist the rebuilding. By stating the letter was “against Jerusalem,” the text shows the target is the city’s restoration and what it represents—renewed strength and distinct worship of Jehovah. These men position themselves as guardians of imperial interests, framing Jerusalem’s recovery as a political risk that must be checked by royal intervention.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, sent a letter against Jerusalem, to Artaxerxes the king;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe wrote a letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king after this sort:
Context
Verse 7 introduced the letter to Artaxerxes. Verse 8 identifies key officials behind it, signaling the weight their words might carry at court. The next verses (9–10) widen the scope by listing allied groups, amplifying the sense of a broad-based concern. Then verses 11–16 will provide the content of the letter, revealing the accusations used to persuade the king to act against the rebuilding efforts.
v.7And 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.
v.8This passage
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,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 8:17
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;
- 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,
- 2 Samuel 20:25
and Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
- 2 Kings 18:18
And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.