Ezra 4:9
What does Ezra 4:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:9 means
The letter is supported by a coalition of peoples—Dinaites, Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Shushanchites, Dehaites, and Elamites. This diverse list displays the empire’s patchwork of resettled nations. By invoking many names, the writers imply that their alarm is widely shared and not a narrow local grievance. The appeal gains weight from numbers and diversity, suggesting stability is at stake across the region. It also recalls the history of imperial deportations that created a mixed population with mixed loyalties. The opponents present themselves as representatives of a broad, unified constituency anxious about Jerusalem’s resurgence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000then 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901then 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The letter was sent by Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe and their friends; the Dinaites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions, Dinaites, and Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, (who are Elamites),
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe and the rest of their counsellors, the Dinites, and the Apharsathacites, the Therphalites, the Apharsites, the Erchuites, the Babylonians, the Susanechites, the Dievites, and the Elamites,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Rehum 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,
Context
Having identified the primary authors in verse 8, the narrative now catalogues the groups aligned with them. This amplifies the seriousness of the complaint before the king. Verse 10 will further connect these peoples to earlier Assyrian resettlement, underscoring their long-standing presence in Samaria and the province beyond the River. The stage is thus set for the formal address and accusations in verses 11–16, which claim that Jerusalem’s rebuilding threatens imperial interests.
v.8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
v.9This passage
v.10and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River, and so forth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:9
Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
- Ezekiel 32:24
There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, who caused their terror in the land of the living, and have borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.
- 2 Kings 17:30
And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,
- Ezra 6:6
Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence:
- 2 Kings 17:24
And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
- 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;