Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

EZRA 4:8KJV
Know the Bible

Ezra 4:8 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:8 mean?

Ezra 4:8 introduces an attempt to turn the Persian king against Jerusalem through an official letter. Rehum and Shimshai bring their complaint to Artaxerxes, placing their opposition before someone with authority over the city’s future.

The verse names both men by their public roles: Rehum is called the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe. “In this sort” means “as follows”; the letter’s contents appear later in the passage.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:8

  • “chancellor” — בְּעֵל טְעֵם (beʿel ṭeʿem): This title is often understood to mean an official in charge of government business. The title points to Rehum’s official standing rather than simply describing him as a private opponent.
  • “scribe” — סָפַר (sāphar): This word refers to a person who writes or handles documents. Shimshai’s title places him in the world of written government communication.

Why Ezra 4:8 matters

  • The complaint targets Jerusalem as a city, not just the temple. Verse 12 later speaks of rebuilding the city and its walls, helping explain the concern behind the letter.
  • The writers appeal to the king’s interests. In verse 13, they warn that a rebuilt city could withhold payments owed to the king.
  • The letter is part of a written exchange. Artaxerxes’ reply appears in verses 17–22, followed by action against the rebuilding in verse 23.

Where else these words appear

“chancellor” Hebrew H1169 · used in 3 verses

  • 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.

“letter” Hebrew H104 · 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:

“Shimshai” Hebrew H8124 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.

“sort” Hebrew H3660 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
  • Ezra 5:9 Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
  • Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.