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.

EZRA 4:17KJV
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Ezra 4:17 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:17 mean?

Ezra 4:17 introduces the Persian king’s official reply to a complaint about Jerusalem. The king addresses the local officials who sent the complaint and their associates in Samaria and the region beyond the river.

The verse gives the opening of the reply after the letter quoted in verses 11–16. Its formal list of recipients shows that the king’s response was directed to the officials handling the matter, not to Jerusalem’s builders.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:17

  • “chancellor” — בְּעֵל טְעֵם (beʿel ṭeʿem): This title refers to an official with authority. In the letter, the title identifies Rehum by his public position.
  • “scribe” — סָפַר (safar): This word refers to a person who wrote or handled official documents. Shimshai’s title helps explain his place among the senders and recipients of the correspondence.
  • “at such a time” — כְּעֶנֶת (keʿenet): This expression is often understood as a conventional closing to a greeting, something like “and so forth.” The KJV’s wording may sound like a date, but the expression belongs to the letter’s formal opening.

Why Ezra 4:17 matters

  • The greeting is the beginning of a reply, not the king’s decision itself. The decision follows after “Peace, and at such a time.”
  • The king’s response reaches more than the two named officials. The address also includes “the rest of their companions,” placing the reply within a wider group of regional authorities.

Where else these words appear

“Samaria” Hebrew H8115 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

“chancellor” Hebrew H1169 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 4:9 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,

“Shimshai” Hebrew H8124 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Ezra 4:9 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,
  • Ezra 4:23 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.

“Peace” Hebrew H8001 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
  • Daniel 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
  • Daniel 6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.