Ezra 4:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king replies to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates in Samaria with a formal greeting of peace.
What Does Ezra 4:17 Mean?
The scene shifts from the petition to the throne's reply. Artaxerxes sends an answer addressed to Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions in Samaria and the wider province. The letter opens with the customary greeting, Peace, and the formal phrase at such a time. The narrative now lets the reader hear how the king received the accusation he had been sent.
It is a bitter irony that a letter opening with peace will close with a command to halt the work of the Prince of Peace's own city. The world's greetings and the world's deeds do not always agree. Yet even a king's word, however weighty, is moving within a story God is telling. The reply that seems a setback to the builders is one more turn in a providence that will, in its season, restore the very work it now restrains.
Ezra 4:17 in the Original Language
shelam (שְׁלָם), 'peace' -- the Aramaic counterpart of shalom, a greeting of wholeness and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 4:17
What does Ezra 4:17 mean?
The king replies to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates in Samaria with a formal greeting of peace.