Topical Encyclopedia The Apharsathchites are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. They are referenced in the Book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the subsequent rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.Biblical References: The primary mention of the Apharsathchites is found in Ezra 4:9-10. In this passage, they are listed among the peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles. The text reads: "From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the Elamites), and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates." (Ezra 4:9-10) Historical Context: The Apharsathchites were part of a larger group of peoples who had been settled in the region of Samaria and its surroundings by the Assyrian Empire. This resettlement was a common practice by the Assyrians, who would deport conquered peoples to different parts of their empire to prevent rebellion and to assimilate them into the Assyrian culture. Role in Opposition: In the Book of Ezra, the Apharsathchites, along with other groups, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, expressing their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its walls. They claimed that if the city were rebuilt, it would lead to rebellion and a loss of revenue for the king. This opposition resulted in a temporary halt to the construction efforts, as the king ordered the work to cease until further notice. Cultural and Religious Significance: The opposition of the Apharsathchites and their allies highlights the tension between the returning Jewish exiles and the inhabitants of the land who had been settled there during the exile. This tension was not only political but also religious, as the returning exiles sought to reestablish their worship and identity centered around the Temple in Jerusalem. Interpretation and Implications: From a theological perspective, the opposition faced by the Jewish exiles, including that from the Apharsathchites, can be seen as part of the broader narrative of God's people facing challenges and opposition throughout their history. Despite these challenges, the biblical narrative emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, as the Temple was eventually rebuilt under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel and Ezra. The mention of the Apharsathchites serves as a reminder of the complex historical and cultural dynamics at play during the post-exilic period and the perseverance required by the Jewish community to restore their religious and cultural heritage. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary ApharsathchitesApharsites (from a root meaning) dividing or rending International Standard Bible Encyclopedia APHARSATHCHITES; APHARSACHITESaf-ar-sath'-kits, a-far'-sak-its ('apharcathkhaye'): A tribe living in Samaria that protested against the rebuilding of the Temple, and brought their complaint to Darius (Ezra 4:9; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 6:6). The tribe has not yet been recognized with any certainty in the inscriptions. Rawlinson identifies them with the Persians; other scholars deny that any Assyrian king was ever so situated as to have been able to obtain colonists from Persia. Some maintain with Marquardt that the term is not the name of a tribe, but the title of certain officers under Darius. Fred. Delitzsch suggests the inhabitants of one of the two great Medean towns "Partakka" and "Partukka" mentioned in Esarhaddon's inscriptions. Andreas plausibly connects it with the Assyrian suparsak (Muss-Arnolt, Assyrian Dict., 1098), saqu (3) "general"; Scheft takes it from an old Iranian word aparasarka, "lesser ruler." Thesaurus Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia APHARSATHCHITES; APHARSACHITES. af ... Multi-Version Concordance Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence). Ezra ... /a/apharsathchites.htm - 8k Apharsachites (2 Occurrences) Apharsites (1 Occurrence) Lesser (7 Occurrences) Tarpelites (1 Occurrence) Rehum (8 Occurrences) Dinaites (1 Occurrence) Dehites (1 Occurrence) Dehaites (1 Occurrence) Dehavites (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence)Ezra 4:9 Subtopics Apharsathchites: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |