Ezra 4

for we seek

The people of the land sought to hinder the work in three ways:

  • (1) by seeking to draw the Jews into an unreal union, Ezra 4:3. (cf) 2 Kings 17:32.
  • (2) by "weakening the hands of the people of Judah," Ezra 4:4 i.e, by withholding supplies, etc.; and
  • (3) by accusations lodged with Ahasuerus and Darius. The first was by far the most subtle and dangerous. The lives of Ezra and Nehemiah afford many illustrations of true separation. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Timothy 2:19-21.

Ahasuerus

The Cambyses of secular history (529-521 BC); not the Ahasuerus of Esther, who is the Xerxes of secular history (485 BC). (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31"). Artaxerxes

The Artaxerxes of Ezra 4:7 is identical with Ahasuerus of Ezra 4:6, i.e. the Cambyses of profane history. The Artaxerxes of Ezra 7:1 is the Longimanus of secular history, BC 418. But (See Scofield "Daniel 5:31"). Give

Chald. make a new decree.

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