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 in the opposition against the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem during the time of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. His actions are recorded in the context of the post-exilic period when the Jewish exiles were returning from Babylon to rebuild their homeland.

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 your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region: Greetings.'"

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

Role and Actions:

Shimshai is depicted as a scribe, a position of significant responsibility and influence in the Persian administrative system. Scribes were often tasked with drafting official documents and correspondence, which suggests that Shimshai was well-educated and literate, capable of articulating the concerns and intentions of those opposed to the Jewish efforts in Jerusalem.

In the narrative of Ezra, Shimshai, alongside Rehum, is instrumental in halting the progress of the rebuilding efforts. The letter they composed to King Artaxerxes was a formal complaint against the Jews, accusing them of rebellion and insurrection. This letter was part of a broader strategy by the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin to undermine the restoration of Jerusalem and its temple.

The response from King Artaxerxes, as recorded in Ezra 4:17, indicates that Shimshai's efforts were successful, at least temporarily. The king's decree ordered the cessation of the construction work, which Shimshai and his associates enforced with urgency and authority, as noted in Ezra 4:23.

Historical and Theological Context:

Shimshai's actions must be understood within the larger context of the Persian Empire's governance and the complex socio-political dynamics of the region. The return of the Jewish exiles and their attempts to rebuild their religious and cultural center in Jerusalem were met with resistance from various local groups who had settled in the area during the Babylonian exile. These groups, including those represented by Shimshai, perceived the restoration efforts as a threat to their own power and influence.

From a theological perspective, the opposition faced by the returning exiles, including the actions of Shimshai, is often interpreted as part of the broader narrative of Israel's struggle to fulfill God's promises amidst external and internal challenges. The eventual overcoming of such opposition is seen as a testament to divine providence and faithfulness.

Legacy:

While Shimshai is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his role as an antagonist highlights the persistent challenges faced by the Jewish community in re-establishing their identity and religious practices. His actions serve as a reminder of the historical realities of political opposition and the complexities of rebuilding a community in the face of adversity.Shimshai or Shimshai

(sunny), the scribe or secretary of Kehum, who was a kind of satrap of the conquered province of Judea and of the colony of Samaria, supported by the Persian court. (Ezra 4:8,13,17,23) He was apparently an Aramaean, for the letter which he wrote to Artaxerxes was in Syriac. (Ezra 4:7) (B.C. 529.)

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. ...
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Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
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