Ezra 4:7 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In the reign of Artaxerxes, named officials send the king a letter composed in Aramaic against the work in Jerusalem.
What Does Ezra 4:7 Mean?
The survey of accusations continues into the days of Artaxerxes. Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their associates send a letter to the king, and the text notes that it was written and translated in the Syrian tongue, that is, Aramaic, the common language of imperial correspondence. From this point the book itself shifts into Aramaic for several chapters, a detail that lends the record the weight of official documents.
The careful naming of names and tongues reminds us that opposition to God's people unfolds in the real machinery of the world, through clerks and couriers and the proper channels of empire. Evil is often orderly and well-spoken. Yet the same God who knows the secret schemes also reads every letter before the king does. Nothing is filed away from His sight, and no fluent accusation can outmatch His quiet governance over the affairs of nations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 4:7
What does Ezra 4:7 mean?
In the reign of Artaxerxes, named officials send the king a letter composed in Aramaic against the work in Jerusalem.