Ezra 4:7 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:7 mean?

Ezra 4:7 introduces a written appeal to the Persian king by people involved in opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. It names several writers and identifies the language used for their letter, showing how the dispute reached the royal court.

The verse marks a change of ruler from the one named in verse 6. Bishlam, Mithredath, and Tabeel are presented as acting with a wider group of companions, rather than sending separate letters.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 4:7

• “Syrian tongue” — אֲרָמִית (aramit): This means Aramaic. The KJV’s “Syrian” refers here to the language commonly called Aramaic, which was widely used for communication across the Persian Empire.
• “interpreted” — תַּרְגֻּם (targum): This word can refer to translation or interpretation. In the KJV, it describes the letter as interpreted in the same language in which it was written.

Why Ezra 4:7 matters

• The opposition sought the king’s attention in writing. The words “unto Artaxerxes king of Persia” show that the dispute had reached beyond the local community.
• The writers’ concern becomes clear later in the passage. The letter described in verses 11–16 warns the king about Jerusalem’s rebuilding and asks him to consider the city’s past.
• The verse introduces a letter without immediately giving its contents. The following verses name other officials involved in a letter to Artaxerxes before the text of the letter begins.