Ezra 4:8
New International Version
Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

New Living Translation
Rehum the governor and Shimshai the court secretary wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows:

Berean Standard Bible
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

King James Bible
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

New King James Version
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion:

New American Standard Bible
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—

NASB 1995
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—

NASB 1977
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—

Legacy Standard Bible
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, as follows—

Amplified Bible
Rehum the [Persian] commander [of the Samaritans] and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows—

Christian Standard Bible
Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:

American Standard Version
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

English Revised Version
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote another letter against [the people of] Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes.

Good News Translation
Also Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the secretary of the province, wrote the following letter to Emperor Artaxerxes about Jerusalem:

International Standard Version
Governor Rehum and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

Majority Standard Bible
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

NET Bible
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

New Heart English Bible
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artachshasta the king as follows:

Webster's Bible Translation
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

World English Bible
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Rehum counselor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:

Young's Literal Translation
Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:

Smith's Literal Translation
Rehum, lord of judgment, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one epistle against Jerusalem to Arthasatha the king, thus:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe wrote a letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Rehum, the commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one letter from Jerusalem to king Artaxerxes, in this manner:

New American Bible
Then Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote the following letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes:

New Revised Standard Version
Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artakhshisht the king according to custom;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Arkhum, Master Taster, and Shemshi, the Scribe, wrote this letter to Jerusalem to Artakhshesht the King, according to custom.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe wrote an epistle against Jerusalem to King Arthasastha, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
7And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. 8Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: 9From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa,…

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

Nehemiah 6:1-9
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. / So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” ...

Daniel 6:4-9
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” / So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! ...

Esther 3:8-11
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” / So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ...

2 Kings 17:24-33
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” ...

2 Kings 17:34-41
To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. / For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. ...

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Haggai 1:2-4
that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” / Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: / “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”

Zechariah 4:6-10
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. / What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” / Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ...

Acts 4:18-21
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...

Acts 5:27-29
They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 6:9-14
But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, / but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. / Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” ...

Acts 13:6-12
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...

Acts 17:5-9
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

scribe.

Ezra 4:9
Then 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,

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

2 Samuel 20:25
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

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Artaxerxes Ar-Ta-Xerx'es Chancellor Chief Commander Commanding Counsellor Follows Jerusalem Letter Officer Rehum Ruler Scribe Secretary Shimshai Shim'shai Sort Written Wrote
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Artaxerxes Ar-Ta-Xerx'es Chancellor Chief Commander Commanding Counsellor Follows Jerusalem Letter Officer Rehum Ruler Scribe Secretary Shimshai Shim'shai Sort Written Wrote
Ezra 4
1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews,
4. endeavor to hinder it
7. Their letter to Artaxerxes
17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes
23. The building is hindered














Rehum the commander
Rehum, identified as the commander, plays a significant role in the opposition against the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The name "Rehum" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "compassionate" or "merciful," which is somewhat ironic given his opposition to the Israelites' efforts. Historically, commanders like Rehum were often appointed by the ruling empire, in this case, the Persian Empire, to maintain order and oversee local governance. His position indicates a level of authority and influence, suggesting that the opposition to the rebuilding was not merely local but had the backing of the imperial administration.

and Shimshai the scribe
Shimshai, the scribe, is another key figure in this narrative. The role of a scribe in ancient times was crucial, as they were responsible for recording official documents and correspondence. The name "Shimshai" is of uncertain origin, but scribes were typically well-educated and literate, often serving as advisors or bureaucrats. In the context of Ezra 4, Shimshai's involvement underscores the formal and organized nature of the opposition, as it involved official documentation and communication with the Persian authorities.

wrote a letter
The act of writing a letter in this context is significant. It indicates a formal complaint or report being made to higher authorities. In the ancient Near East, letters were a primary means of communication between distant regions and the central government. This letter was likely written on a clay tablet or papyrus, materials commonly used at the time. The content of the letter, as revealed in subsequent verses, was intended to halt the progress of the rebuilding efforts, showing the strategic and bureaucratic approach taken by the opposition.

against Jerusalem
The phrase "against Jerusalem" highlights the target of the opposition's efforts. Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people, was in the process of being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile. The city's restoration was not only a physical reconstruction but also a symbol of the renewal of the Jewish faith and community. The opposition to this rebuilding was rooted in historical animosities and political concerns, as a restored Jerusalem could potentially challenge the status quo and the control of the surrounding regions.

to Artaxerxes the king
Artaxerxes, the king mentioned here, refers to Artaxerxes I of Persia, who reigned from 465 to 424 BC. His reign was marked by various administrative reforms and efforts to maintain control over the vast Persian Empire. The mention of Artaxerxes underscores the political dimension of the opposition, as the letter was addressed to the highest authority in the land. This appeal to the king reflects the seriousness with which the opposition viewed the rebuilding efforts and their desire to leverage imperial power to achieve their goals.

in the following terms
This phrase introduces the content of the letter, setting the stage for the detailed accusations and arguments that follow. It suggests a formal and structured presentation, typical of official correspondence in the ancient world. The phrase also indicates that what follows is a direct quotation or summary of the letter's contents, providing insight into the strategies and rhetoric used by the opposition to persuade the king to intervene.

(8) Rehum the chancellor.--The lord of judgment, the counsellor of the Persian king, a conventional title of the civil governor.

Shimshai the scribe--The royal secretary.

Verse 8. - Rehum the chancellor. Literally, "the lord of judgment." It may be conjectured that Rehum was the sub-satrap (ὑποσατράπης, Xen.), of the province of Samaria. And Shimshai the scribe. Or "secretary." Herodotus tells us that in every Persian province the governor had a secretary attached to him, who was appointed by the crown, and acted as a check upon his nominal master (Herod., 3:128). The position assigned to Shim-shai in this chapter (see especially vers. 9, 17, 23) is such as might be expected under these circumstances.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Rehum
רְח֣וּם (rə·ḥūm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7348: Rehum -- 'compassion', the name of several Israelites

the commander
בְּעֵל־ (bə·‘êl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1169: A master, a husband

and Shimshai
וְשִׁמְשַׁי֙ (wə·šim·šay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8124: Shimshai -- a scribe who opposed Israel

the scribe
סָֽפְרָ֔א (sā·p̄ə·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5613: A secretary, scribe

wrote
כְּתַ֛בוּ (kə·ṯa·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3790: To grave, to write

a
חֲדָ֖ה (ḥă·ḏāh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2298: As card, one, single, first, at once

letter
אִגְּרָ֥ה (’ig·gə·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 104: An epistle

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

to King
מַלְכָּ֖א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

Artaxerxes
לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥שְׂתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

as follows:
כְּנֵֽמָא׃ (kə·nê·mā)
Adverb
Strong's 3660: Accordingly, as follows


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OT History: Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:7
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