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.
EZRA 4:7KJVWhat does Ezra 4:7 mean?
Ezra 4:7 describes how, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, a group of officials—including Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and others—wrote a letter to the king. The verse notes that this letter was written and interpreted in the Syrian (Aramaic) language.
The verse sets the scene for a formal complaint made by local officials against the Jews who were rebuilding Jerusalem. By mentioning the use of the Syrian (Aramaic) language, Ezra 4:7 highlights the official and diplomatic nature of the communication, as Aramaic was commonly used for government correspondence in the Persian Empire.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:7
- "Syrian tongue" (אַרָמִי, ʾaramî): This phrase means the Aramaic language, which was the common language for administration across the Persian Empire. Its use here signals that the letter was meant for official purposes and could be widely understood by Persian authorities.
- "Interpreted" (מְתֻרְגָּם, meturgam): This word means "translated" or "interpreted." The verse emphasizes that not only was the letter written in Aramaic, but it was also presented in a way that ensured clarity and understanding for the king and his officials.
Why Ezra 4:7 matters
- The verse clarifies that the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem was formal and involved official channels, not just local grumbling.
- By specifying the use of Aramaic, Ezra 4:7 shows how the Persian Empire managed communication across diverse peoples and languages.
- This detail sets up the following verses, where the content of the letter and the resulting actions against the Jews are described, helping the reader understand the historical and political context.