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.

EZRA 4:23KJV
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Ezra 4:23 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:23 mean?

Ezra 4:23 describes how opposition to the Jews’ rebuilding work became an enforced stop. After King Artaxerxes’ letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, they hurried to Jerusalem and used force to make the Jews stop working.

The letter gave these officials the opportunity to act after the king’s reply in verse 22. The phrase “by force and power” pictures more than a request to stop: the officials had the authority and means to make their order effective.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:23

  • “force” — דְּרָע (deraʿ): This word means “arm” and can carry the sense of strength used against someone. Here the image of an arm helps convey the physical power behind the officials’ action.
  • “cease” — בְּטֵל (beṭel): This word can mean to stop or bring something to a halt. In this verse, the officials cause the Jews to stop; the work does not simply pause on its own.

Why Ezra 4:23 matters

  • The verse shows how a written royal decision became action on the ground. Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions went to Jerusalem after the letter was read to them.
  • The officials acted quickly, not after a long delay. The words “in haste” show their eagerness to carry out the order.
  • The forced stop is part of the passage’s account of resistance to rebuilding. The following verse connects the halt with work on the house of God in Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“copy” Hebrew H6573 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

“letter” Hebrew H5407 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

“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 4:17 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.

“cease” Hebrew H989 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
  • Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.