Shimshai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. He is identified as a scribe who played a significant role during the period of the Jewish return from the Babylonian exile. His actions are recorded in the context of opposition to the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish people in Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 4:8-9 : "Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: 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."

2. Ezra 4:17 : "The king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region: Greetings."

3. Ezra 4:23 : "As soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them."

Historical Context:

Shimshai served as a scribe during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. His role as a scribe indicates that he was responsible for official correspondence and documentation, a position of considerable influence and authority. The period in which Shimshai is mentioned is marked by the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple and the city walls, a task that faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples.

Role and Actions:

Shimshai, along with Rehum the commander and other officials, opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, expressing concern that the restoration of Jerusalem would lead to rebellion and a loss of control over the region. Their letter was successful in halting the construction efforts temporarily, as the king ordered the cessation of the work until further notice.

The actions of Shimshai and his associates reflect the broader political and social tensions of the time. The returning exiles were seen as a threat to the established order and the interests of the local populations who had settled in the area during the Jewish exile.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the opposition led by Shimshai can be seen as part of the recurring theme of resistance faced by God's people throughout biblical history. Despite the obstacles, the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah ultimately demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to restore Jerusalem and His people. Shimshai's opposition serves as a reminder of the challenges that believers may face in their efforts to follow God's will, yet it also underscores the ultimate triumph of divine purpose.

Conclusion:

Shimshai's role in the biblical narrative is a testament to the complex interplay of political, social, and spiritual forces during the post-exilic period. His actions, while opposing the immediate goals of the Jewish returnees, are part of the larger account of God's redemptive plan for His people.Shimshai

my son

The shining one, or sunny, the secretary of Rehum the chancellor, who took part in opposing the rebuilding of the temple after the Captivity (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17-23). SHIMSHAI

shim'-shi, shim'-sha-i (shimshay; Codex Vaticanus Samasa, Samae, Sameais Samesa; Codex Alexandrinus Samsai; Lucian, Samaias, throughout; in 1 Esdras 2:17 he is called "Semellius," the Revised Version (British and American) "Samellius"; a number of explanations of this name have been offered, but no one has been generally favored. One conjecture traces it to an Old Iranian caritative sh-sh-m-y conformed to shamash; another prefers the Old Bactrian simezhi = simaezhi; compare BDB, under the word The name looks as though it were derived from shemesh, "the sun"): A state secretary who, with REHUM (which see) and others, wrote to Artaxerxes to persuade him to prohibit the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17, 23).

Horace J. Wolf

8124. Shimshay -- a scribe who opposed Isr.
... a scribe who opposed Isr. Transliteration: Shimshay Phonetic Spelling:
(shim-shah'-ee) Short Definition: Shimshai. ... NASB Word Usage Shimshai (4). Shimshai. ...
/hebrew/8124.htm - 6k

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Shimshai (4 Occurrences)
... 23). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHIMSHAI. shim'-shi ... 23). Horace J. Wolf.
Multi-Version Concordance Shimshai (4 Occurrences). Ezra 4 ...
/s/shimshai.htm - 9k

Shim'shai (4 Occurrences)
Shim'shai. Shimshai, Shim'shai. Shin . Multi-Version Concordance Shim'shai
(4 Occurrences). Ezra 4:8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai...
/s/shim'shai.htm - 7k

Rehum (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/r/rehum.htm - 10k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against
Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (See NIV). ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Counsellor (16 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS YLT). Ezra 4:8 Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a
letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus: (YLT). ...
/c/counsellor.htm - 12k

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/c/colleagues.htm - 8k

Chancellor (3 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/c/chancellor.htm - 8k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

Scribe (55 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem
to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/s/scribe.htm - 27k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:9 then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest
of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

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