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 identified as one of the peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon. The name "Apharsathchites" appears in the book of Ezra, which provides insight into the challenges faced by the Israelites during the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple.

General Scriptures Concerning Apharsathchites

· 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 peoples 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 Apharsathchites are listed among the various groups who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, expressing their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They were part of a coalition that included 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 control over the region.

The mention of the Apharsathchites 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. These groups, including the Apharsathchites, had vested interests in maintaining the status quo and preventing the re-establishment of a strong Jewish presence in Jerusalem.

The actions of the Apharsathchites and their allies reflect the complex dynamics of power, identity, and territorial control in the ancient Near East. Their opposition to the Jewish restoration efforts underscores the broader theme of conflict between God's people and the surrounding nations, a recurring motif throughout the biblical narrative.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,
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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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