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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Christian Standard Bible ®

Ezra 4:9

From Rehum the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues—the judges and magistrates from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the people of Elam),

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Accusation, False;   Apharsathchites;   Apharsites;   Archevites;   Artaxerxes;   Ava;   Babylon;   Bishlam;   Chancellor;   Colonization;   Dehavites;   Government;   Persia;   Rehum;   Samaria;   Shimshai;   Susanchites;   Tarpelites;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Samaria, Modern;   Slander;   Temple, the Second;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Apharasachites;   Artaxerxes;   Dehavites;   Samaritans;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aram;   Artaxerxes;   Ezra;   Persia;   Samaria, samaritans;   Susa (shushan);   Easton Bible Dictionary - Apharsites;   Archevite;   Chancellor;   Dehavites;   Erech;   Rehum;   Samaritans;   Shimshai;   Susanchites;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Apharsathchites;   Archevites;   Darius;   Dehavites;   Dinaites;   Elam;   Erech;   Haggai;   Persia;   Rehum;   Shimshai;   Susanchites;   Tarpelites;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Apharsachites;   Apharsites;   Artaxerxes;   Chancellor;   Dehavite;   Dinaite;   Elam;   Erech;   Exile;   Ezra, Book of;   Rehum;   Samaria, Samaritans;   Tarpelites;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Apharsites;   Archevites;   Darius;   Dehaites;   Dinaites;   Elam;   Erech;   Ezra, Book of;   Nehemiah, Book of;   Osnappar;   Rehum;   Samaritans;   Shimshai;   Shushanchites,;   Tarpelites;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Language of Christ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Apharsachites, Apharsathchites ;   Apharsites ;   Archevites ;   Babylonians ;   Chancellor;   Dehavites ;   Dinaites ;   Elamites ;   Ezra, Book of;   Rehum ;   Shimshai ;   Susanchites ;   Tarpelites ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Rehum;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Apharsathohites apharsites apharsachites;   Artaxerxes;   Elam;   Erech;   Palestine;   Persia;   Samaria;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Aphar'sathchites, Aphar'sites, Aphar'sacites,;   Ar'chevites;   Babylo'nians,;   De'havites,;   Di'naites,;   E'lamites;   Re'hum;   Su'sanchites;   Tar'pelites, the,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Apharsachites;   Epistles;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Babylonish Captivity, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Apharsathchites;   Apharsites;   Archevite;   Babylonians;   Chancellor;   Dehaites;   Dinaites;   Elam;   Rehum;   Samaria, Country of;   Samaritans;   Samson;   Shimshai;   Shushanchites;   Tarpelites;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Apharsachites;   Artaxerxes;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Apharsachites;   Apharsites;   Aramaic Language among the Jews;   Archevites;   Captivity;   Dehavites;   Dinaites;   Elam;   Esdras, Books of;   Manasseh;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
then [wrote] Rechum the chancellor, and Shimshai the Sofer, and the rest of their companions, the Dinites, and the Afarsatkhi, the Tarpelites, the Afarsi, the Arkevi, the Bavlites, the Shushankhites, the Dehites, the Elamites,
King James Version
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,
English Standard Version
Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
New Century Version
This letter is from Rehum the governor, Shimshai the secretary, and their fellow workers—the judges and important officers over the men who came from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, the Elamite people of Susa,
New English Translation
From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues—the judges, the rulers, the officials, the secretaries, the Erechites, the Babylonians, the people of Susa (that is, the Elamites),
Amplified Bible
then wrote Rehum the [Persian] commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
New American Standard Bible
Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
World English Bible
then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then wrote Rehum the chauncelour, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions Dinaie, and Apharsathcaie, Tarpelaie, Apharsaie, Archeuaie, Bablaie, Shushanchaie, Dehaue, Elmaie,
Legacy Standard Bible
then wrote Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
Berean Standard Bible
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,
Complete Jewish Bible
"From Rechum the district governor, Shimshai the secretary, their other colleagues, the judges, the officials, the Dina'im, the Afarsat'khim, the Tarp'lim, the Afarsim, the Ark'vim, the Bavlim, the Shushan'kayim, the Dehayim, the ‘Elma'im,
Darby Translation
Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Easy-to-Read Version
From Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary, and from the judges and important officials over the men from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, and Babylon, and from the Elamites from Susa,
George Lamsa Translation
Then wrote Arkhom the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, the Aspherites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
Good News Translation
"From Rehum, the governor, from Shimshai, secretary of the province, from their associates, the judges, and from all the other officials, who are originally from Erech, Babylon, and Susa in the land of Elam,
Lexham English Bible
(then Rehum the royal officer, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the envoys, the officials, the Persians, the Erechs, the Babylonians, the Susians (that is the Elamites)
Literal Translation
Then Rehum the master of counsel, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges and the emissaries, the consuls, the officials, the Erechites, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, (that is, the Elamites),
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
We Rehum the chaunceler, and Simsai the scribe, and other of the councell of Dina, off Arphasath, off Tarplat, off Persia, off Arach, of Babilon, of Susan, of Deha, and of Elam,
American Standard Version
then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Bible in Basic English
The letter was sent by Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe and their friends; the Dinaites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then Rehum the recorder, and Samsai the scribe, and other of their company, they of Dina, of Apharsath, of Tharpelai, of Persia, of Arache, of Babylon, of Susan, of Deha, of Elan,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
then wrote Rehum the commander, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinites, and the Apharesattechites, the Tarpelites, the Apharesites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehites, the Elamites,
King James Version (1611)
Then, wrote Rehum the Chancellour, and Shimshai the Scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathkites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archeuites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehauites, and the Elamites,
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Thus has judged Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and the rest of our fellow-servants, the Dinaeans, the Apharsathachaeans, the Tarphalaeans, the Apharsaeans, the Archyaeans, the Babylonians, the Susanachaeans, Davaeans,
English Revised Version
then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Beel, Theem, and Samsai, the writere, and othere counselouris of hem, Dyney, Pharsathei, and Therphalei, Arphasei, Harthuei, men of Babiloyne, Susanne, Thanei, Dacei, men of Helam,
Update Bible Version
then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,
Webster's Bible Translation
Then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dianites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, [and] the Elamites,
New King James Version
From [fn] Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions--representatives of the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan, [fn] the Dehavites, the Elamites,
New Living Translation
They greeted the king for all their colleagues—the judges and local leaders, the people of Tarpel, the Persians, the Babylonians, and the people of Erech and Susa (that is, Elam).
New Life Bible
It was written by Rehum the captain and Shimshai the writer and the rest of their friends, the judges, the leaders and important men, the men of Erech, Babylon, Shusha (that is, the Elamites),
New Revised Standard
(then Rehum the royal deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the envoys, the officials, the Persians, the people of Erech, the Babylonians, the people of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then Rehum holder of judicial authority, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, - the Dinaites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Reum Beelteem, and Samsai the scribe and the rest of their counsellors, the Dinites, and the Apharsathacites, the Therphalites, the Apharsites, the Erchuites, the Babylonians, the Susanechites, the Dievites, and the Elamites,
Revised Standard Version
then wrote Rehum the commander, Shim'shai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
Young's Literal Translation
Then Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions, Dinaites, and Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, (who are Elamites),
New American Standard Bible (1995)
then wrote Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,

Contextual Overview

6At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, the people who were already in the land wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem. 7During the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 8Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows: 9From Rehum the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues—the judges and magistrates from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the people of Elam), 10and the rest of the peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and the region west of the Euphrates River. 11This is the text of the letter they sent to him: 12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations. 13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax, and the royal revenue will suffer. 14Since we have taken an oath of loyalty to the king, and it is not right for us to witness his dishonor, we have sent to inform the king 15that a search should be made in your fathers’ record books. In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

companions: Chal, societies

the Dinaites: 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:30, 2 Kings 17:31

Apharsathchites: Ezra 5:6, Ezra 6:6, Apharsachites

Susanchites: Esther 1:2, Esther 2:3, Daniel 8:2

Elamites: Genesis 10:22, Isaiah 21:2, Jeremiah 25:25, Jeremiah 49:34, Ezekiel 32:24, Acts 2:9

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:7 - companions Ezra 4:8 - scribe Ezra 4:17 - companions Ezra 4:23 - Rehum Ezra 6:13 - Tatnai Nehemiah 4:2 - the army Isaiah 23:13 - the Assyrian

Cross-References

Genesis 4:4
And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,
Genesis 4:9
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
Genesis 4:11
So now you are cursed, alienated from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood you have shed.
Genesis 4:13
But Cain answered the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear!
Genesis 4:14
Since you are banishing me today from the face of the earth, and I must hide from your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”
Genesis 37:32
They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it. Is it your son’s robe or not?”
Psalms 9:12
For the one who seeks an accountingfor bloodshed remembers them;he does not forget the cry of the oppressed.
Proverbs 28:13
The one who conceals his sinswill not prosper,but whoever confesses and renounces themwill find mercy.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions,.... who all signed the letter; namely, the governors of the following nations;

the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites; which were colonies from several parts of Chaldea, Media, and Persia, and were settled in the several cities of Samaria, as several of their names plainly show, as from Persia, Erech, Babylon, Shushan, and Elimais; some account for them all, but with uncertainty; according to R. Jose k these were the Samaritans who first were sent out of five nations, to whom the king of Assyria added four more, which together make the nine here mentioned, see 2 Kings 17:24.

k Pirke Eliezer, c. 38.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

These verses form the superscription or address of the letter (Ezra 4:11, etc.) sent to Artaxerxes.

The Dinaites were probably colonists from Dayan, a country often mentioned in the Assyrian inscriptions as bordering on Cilicia and Cappadocia. No satisfactory explanation can be given of the name Apharsathchites (see Ezra 5:6 note). The Tarpelites were colonists from the nation which the Assyrians called Tuplai, the Greeks “Tibareni,” and the Hebrews generally “Tubal.” (It is characteristic of the later Hebrew language to insert the letter “r” (resh) before labials. Compare Darmesek for Dammesek, 2 Chronicles 28:23 margin). The Apharsites were probably “the Persians;” the Archevites, natives of Erech (Warka) Genesis 10:10; the Susanchites, colonists from Shushan or Susa; the Dehavites, colonists from the Persian tribe of the Dai; and the Elamites, colonists from Elam or Elymais, the country of which Susa was the capital.

Ezra 4:10

A snapper was perhaps the official employed by Esar-haddon Ezra 4:2 to settle the colonists in their new country.

On this side the river - literally, “beyond the river,” a phrase used of Palestine by Ezra, Nehemiah, and in the Book of Kings, as designating the region west of the Euphrates.

And at such a time - Rather, “and so forth.” The phrase is vague, nearly equivalent to the modern use of et cetaera. It recurs in marginal references.


 
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