1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel;

2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

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,

10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.

18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The adversaries of the temple.
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, (2 Kings 17). It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The adversaries - The Samaritans. The relicks of the ten tribes, and the foreigners who had joined with them.
McArther Bible Commentary
the adversaries. Cf. Ezr 5:3-17. These were Israel's enemies in the region who resisted their reestablishment.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 1:11 Ezra 3:13 Ezra 4:7 Daniel 5:13

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The adversaries of the temple.
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, (2 Kings 17). It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
With you - This they spake not sincerely, but that by this conjunction with them, they might pry into their counsels, and thereby find some matter of accusation against them. We seek - For so they did, though in a mongrel way, (2 Kings 17:26) , &c. Esarhaddon - Son of Sennacherib, and after him king of Assyria, who brought or sent these persons hither, either, in the day's of Salmanasar, who reigned in Assyria but eight years before Esarhaddon; and so Esarhaddon might be one of his commanders, and the man by whom that colony was sent. Or, in the reign of Esarhaddon, who sent this second colony to strengthen the first.
McArther Bible Commentary
we have sacrificed to Him. This false claim represented the syncretistic worship of the Samaritans, whose ancestry came from intermarriage with foreign immigrants in Samaria after 722 B.C. (cf. Ezr 4:10). In the British Museum is a large cylinder. Inscribed on it are the annals of Esarhaddon, an Assyrian king (c. 681-669 B.C.), who deported a large population of Israelites from Palestine. A consequent settlement of Babylonian colonists took their place and intermarried with remaining Jewish women and their descendants. The result was a mongrel race called the Samaritans. They had developed a superstitious form of worshiping God (cf. 2Ki 17:26-34).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 17:24 2 Kings 17:32 2 Kings 19:37 Nehemiah 9:32 Isaiah 37:38

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The adversaries of the temple.
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, (2 Kings 17). It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
With us - As being of another nation and religion, and therefore not concerned in Cyrus's grant, which was confined to the Israelites. Take heed, whom you go partners with, and on whose hand you lean. While we trust God with an absolute confidence, we must trust men with a prudent caution.
McArther Bible Commentary
we alone. Idolatry had been the chief cause for Judah's deportation to Babylon, and they wanted to avoid it altogether. While they still had their spiritual problems (chs. 9; 10), they rejected any form of mixed religion, particularly this offer of cooperation which had sabotage as its goal (cf. Ezr 4:4-5). King Cyrus … commanded us. Cf. Ezr 1:2-4 (c. 538 B.C.). This note gave authority to their refusal.
Bible Cross References
John 4:9 Ezra 1:1 Ezra 1:2 Ezra 3:8 Nehemiah 2:20

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The adversaries of the temple.
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, (2 Kings 17). It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 4:1 Ezra 3:3 Ezra 4:5

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The adversaries of the temple.
Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the opposition of Satan, and of those in whom he works. The adversaries were the Samaritans, who had been planted in the land of Israel, (2 Kings 17). It was plain that they did not mean to unite in the worship of the Lord, according to his word. Let those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Cyrus - For though Cyrus still favoured the Jews, yet he was then diverted by his wars, and his son Cambyses was left his vice - roy, who was a wicked prince, and an enemy to the Jews. Until - Heb. and until, &c. not only in the reign of Cyrus but also of Cambyses, and of the magician, after whom was Darius.
McArther Bible Commentary
frustrate. This caused a sixteen-year delay (c. 536-520 B.C.). As a result, the people took more interest in their personal affairs than spiritual matters (cf. Hag 1:2-6). Darius. Darius ruled Persia c. 521-486 B.C.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 22:4 Ezra 4:4 Ezra 4:6

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Ahasuerus - A common name to divers kings of Persia. Cambyses the son and successor of Cyrus, was known to be no friend to the Jewish nation.
McArther Bible Commentary
This section represents later opposition which Ezra chose to include here as a parenthetical continuation of the theme "opposition to resettling and rebuilding Judah" (see Introduction: Interpretative Challenges). He first referred to the opposition from Israel's enemies under King Ahasuerus (a regal title) or Xerxes (c. 486-464 B.C.), who ruled at the time of Esther (Ezr 4:6). Ezr 4:7-23 then recounts opposition in Nehemiah's day under Artaxerxes I (c. 464-423 B.C.) expressed in a detailed letter of accusation against the Jews (Ezr 4:7-16). It was successful in stopping the work, as the king's reply indicates (Ezr 4:17-23). Most likely, this opposition is that also spoken of in Neh 1:3. This represents the ongoing occurrence of severe animosity between the Israelites and Samaritans, which was later aggravated when the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mt. Gerizim (cf. Joh 4:9). The opposition to Zerubbabel picks up again at Ezr. 4:24-5:2 during the reign of Darius I, who actually reigned before either Ahasuerus or Artaxerxes.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:5 Esther 1:1 Esther 1:10 Daniel 9:1

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Artaxerxes - Cambyses, called by his Chaldee name, Ahashuerus, (Ezra 4:6) , and here by his Persian name, Artaxerxes: by which he is here called in the inscription of this letter, because so he was called by himself, and others in the letters written either by him; or to him. Interpreted - It was written in the Chaldee or Syrian language, and in the Syrian character: for sometimes the Chaldee or Syrian words are written in the Hebrew character.
McArther Bible Commentary
letter … letter. Two different words are used here. The first is an official document as opposed to a simple letter. The second is the generic term for letter. The context verifies the choices of two different terms, since two different letters are indicated.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 18:26 Ezra 4:1 Ezra 4:8 Ezra 8:36 Isaiah 36:11 Daniel 2:4

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
Since this section contains predominantly correspondence, it is written in Aramaic (also Ezr 7:12-26) rather than Hebrew, generally reflecting the diplomatic language of the day (cf. 2Ki 18:26; Isa 36:11).
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:7 Ezra 4:9 Ezra 4:17

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 17:24 Ezra 4:8 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 6:6 Nehemiah 4:2

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Asnapper - Either Esarhaddon, or some other person of eminency, who was captain of this colony, and conducted them hither. The river - Euphrates. Time - The date of the epistle was particularly expressed therein, but here it was sufficient to note it in general.
McArther Bible Commentary
Osnapper. This is most likely another name for the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, c. 669-633 B.C. settled … cities of Samaria. The race of Samaritans resulted from the intermarriage of these immigrants with the poor people who were not taken captive to Nineveh (see note on Ezr 4:2 and 2Ki 17:24-41).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 17:24 Ezra 4:11 Ezra 4:17 Ezra 7:12 Nehemiah 4:2 Nehemiah 9:32

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
Artaxerxes. See note on vverse Ezr 4:6-23. beyond the River. West of the Euphrates River.
Bible Cross References
John 4:9 Ezra 4:10 Ezra 4:12

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Be it known, &c. - This is a mere fiction, which being confidently affirmed, they thought would easily find belief with a king whose heart and ears they possessed by their hired counsellors.
McArther Bible Commentary
Jews. This name was generally used after the Captivity because the exiles who returned were mainly of Judah. Most of the people of the ten northern tribes were dispersed, and the largest number of returnees came from the two southern tribes.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:13 Ezra 4:11 Ezra 5:3 Ezra 5:9 Esther 3:8 Daniel 3:8

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
This accusation is full of hypocrisy. They did not relish paying taxes either, but they did hate the Jews.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 9:9 Ezra 4:14 Ezra 4:20 Ezra 7:24 Nehemiah 5:4

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:13 Ezra 4:15

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
the book of the records. An administrative document called a "memorandum" kept on file in the royal archives. city was destroyed. A reference to Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (c. 586 B.C.).
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:14 Ezra 4:16

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:15 Ezra 4:17

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:10 Ezra 4:16 Ezra 4:18 Daniel 4:1 Daniel 6:25

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:17 Ezra 4:19 Nehemiah 8:8

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
And I gave the command. The line might better be translated, "I established a decree." In other words, this was no simple routine order given to one person, but a major edict to a large group of people.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:18 Ezra 4:20

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 9:9 Genesis 15:18 Joshua 1:4 1 Kings 4:21 1 Chronicles 18:3 Ezra 4:13 Ezra 4:19 Ezra 4:21 Ezra 7:24 Lamentations 1:1

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
McArther Bible Commentary
Now give the command. This involved no small order for one or two workers, but the efforts of 50,000 were called to a halt. The king was commissioning a decree of great significance. The original language calls for the difference. This decree would not lose its authority until the king established a new decree.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:20 Ezra 4:22

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:21 Ezra 4:23 Daniel 6:2

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To cease. &c. - As they abused the king by their misinformations, in the obtaining of this order, so they abused him in the execution of it; for the order was only to prevent the walling of the city. But having power in their hands, they, on this pretence, stopt the building of the temple. See what need we have to pray, not only for kings, but for all in authority under them: because the quietness of our lives depends much on the integrity and wisdom of inferior magistrates as well as the supreme.
McArther Bible Commentary
letter. Another official document, as opposed to a generic letter, came from Artaxerxes's transfer of authority to the regional leaders to establish the decree. Without the king's official administrative correspondence, the decree could not be established.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:7 Ezra 4:22 Ezra 4:24

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The building of the temple is hindered.
It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Darius - Darius the son of Hystaspes, successor of Cambyses.
McArther Bible Commentary
ceased … discontinued. For sixteen years, from 536 B.C. to 520 B.C., work on rebuilding was halted.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:23 Ezra 5:1 Ezra 6:14 Daniel 9:25 Haggai 1:1 Haggai 2:15 Zechariah 1:1