The Apharsites are mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the groups of people who opposed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem during the time of Zerubbabel. They are listed among the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin who sought to hinder the efforts of the returning Jewish exiles. The primary biblical reference to the Apharsites is found in the book of Ezra.

Biblical Reference:

In the book of Ezra, the Apharsites are mentioned in the context of the opposition faced by the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple. Ezra 4:9-10 states: "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 nations whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

The Apharsites are included in this list of peoples who were settled in the region by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. They, along with other groups, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, accusing the Jews of rebuilding the rebellious and wicked city of Jerusalem. Their opposition was part of a broader effort to stop the reconstruction of the temple, which they perceived as a threat to their own political and economic interests.

Historical Context:

The Apharsites, like other groups mentioned in Ezra, were likely part of the diverse population that inhabited the region of Samaria and its surroundings after the Assyrian and Babylonian deportations. The Assyrian policy of resettling conquered peoples in different parts of their empire was intended to prevent rebellion and maintain control over subjugated territories. As a result, the land of Israel became a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures, which often led to tensions with the returning Jewish exiles.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the opposition of the Apharsites and other groups highlights the challenges faced by the Jewish community in re-establishing their religious and cultural identity after the Babylonian exile. Despite the external opposition, the Jewish leaders, encouraged by the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, persevered in their mission to rebuild the temple, which was central to their worship and covenant relationship with God.

The narrative of the Apharsites' opposition serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare that often accompanies the fulfillment of God's purposes. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and reliance on divine guidance in the face of adversity. The successful completion of the temple, despite such opposition, is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.Another of the tribes removed to Samaria (Ezra 4:9), or perhaps the same as the preceding. APHARSITES

a-far'-sits ('apharcaye'): A tribe transferred to Samaria by Asnappar of Assyria (Ezra 4:9). Rawlinson identifies them with the APHARSACHITES (which see), taking Apharsites to be an accidental repetition of the same word. He understands "the Persians" to be meant in both cases. Others identify them with a Median tribe mentioned in the inscriptions of Sennacherib as dwellers in the district of Parsua.

Apharsites (1 Occurrence)
... the preceding. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APHARSITES. a-far ... of Parsua.
Multi-Version Concordance Apharsites (1 Occurrence). Ezra 4 ...
/a/apharsites.htm - 7k

Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/a/apharsathchites.htm - 8k

Aphek (9 Occurrences)

/a/aphek.htm - 11k

Lesser (7 Occurrences)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/l/lesser.htm - 8k

Tarpelites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/t/tarpelites.htm - 7k

Rehum (8 Occurrences)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/r/rehum.htm - 10k

Dinaites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/d/dinaites.htm - 7k

Dehites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/d/dehites.htm - 6k

Dehaites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites,
and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/d/dehaites.htm - 7k

Dehavites (1 Occurrence)
... the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites,
the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites ...
/d/dehavites.htm - 7k

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