The Apharsachites are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. They are identified as one of the peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon. The term "Apharsachites" is found in the book of Ezra, which provides insight into the challenges faced by the Israelites during the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple.

Scriptural References:

· Ezra 4:9-10 : "From 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, and the other nations whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates."

In this passage, the Apharsachites are listed among the various groups who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, expressing their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They are part of a coalition that includes other peoples settled in the region by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. This coalition sought to halt the progress of the Jewish exiles by appealing to the king, warning that the restoration of Jerusalem would lead to rebellion and a loss of revenue for the empire.

The mention of the Apharsachites in Ezra highlights the broader geopolitical tensions of the time. The returning exiles faced not only the physical challenges of rebuilding but also political opposition from those who had settled in the land during the Jewish exile. The resistance from the Apharsachites and their allies underscores the complex dynamics of power, identity, and religious devotion in the post-exilic period.

The identity of the Apharsachites is not extensively detailed in the biblical text, and their specific origins remain somewhat obscure. However, their inclusion in the narrative of Ezra serves to illustrate the diverse and often adversarial environment in which the Jewish community sought to reestablish itself in its ancestral homeland. The opposition from groups like the Apharsachites is a recurring theme in the biblical account, reflecting the persistent challenges faced by the people of Israel in fulfilling their covenantal obligations and restoring their national and religious identity.Ezra 5:6
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent to Darius the king:
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Ezra 6:6
Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be you far from there:
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2 Kings 17:1
In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
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