Definition: Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye [do]; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 4:2. It’s a really important piece of history about rebuilding a temple in Jerusalem after a period of exile. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a group of people – primarily Jewish leaders – arriving in Jerusalem and asking the elders (the leaders of the community) to join them in rebuilding the temple, which had been damaged during times of war and upheaval. They’re essentially saying, “We want to do this together like you did before, and we want to offer sacrifices to God.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Then they came to Zerubbabel…” – This refers to a man named Zerubbabel. He was a leader who had been involved in the rebuilding of the temple before. “…and to the chief of the fathers…” – This names several influential elders and leaders of the community. “and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye [do]; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur.” - This is the core of the verse. "Let us build with you:" – They’re inviting others to participate in the rebuilding project. “as ye [do]” : This is a crucial phrase. It's saying they want to do it like the previous time, using the same methods and traditions that were established by the earlier builders. "since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur." – This tells us this rebuilding happened after a long period of time, back in ancient times (around 250 BC). Esarhaddon was the last king of the Assyrian Empire, and his reign marked a time when the Jewish people were under Persian rule. This adds context to why they wanted to rebuild. In short, the verse is saying: "We want to rebuild the temple with you, just like we did before, and we’re going to offer sacrifices to God as a way of honoring Him." Why it's significant: This event was crucial because it marked the beginning of a major effort to restore the Jewish people's faith and identity. It shows that the rebuilding wasn’t just about physical construction; it was also about reaffirming their connection to God and their heritage. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Give an example of how this verse relates to a larger story or event?

Definition: There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 4:20. It’s a bit complex at first, but we can understand it in a few key parts: The Basic Idea: This verse is about the leadership of people in Jerusalem during a time when the city was rebuilding after a period of chaos and decline. It highlights that there were powerful rulers who controlled the area around Jerusalem. Let’s unpack it word by word: “There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem…” – This means there were several powerful kings who governed the region around Jerusalem. “Mighty” suggests they were significant and influential. “…which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river.” – This is where it gets a little tricky. "Beyond the river" refers to the Jordan River, which separated the land of Israel from the land of Judah. So, this verse tells us these kings controlled a large area beyond that river. It means they had authority over neighboring areas and settlements. “and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.” – This is the crucial part. "Toll," "tribute," and "custom" were all forms of payment or obligations that rulers demanded from people living in their territory. It’s like a regular tax or a set of rules that governed how people lived and behaved within the area. Putting it Together – What's the Big Picture? Essentially, this verse describes a period where powerful kings were in charge of a large region surrounding Jerusalem, requiring them to collect taxes (money) and adhere to specific customs or laws. It suggests a time when there was a strong centralized authority overseeing the area. Important Note: The text of Ezra 4:20 is part of a larger historical context within the book of Ezra. The author is essentially recounting what happened during this period, emphasizing the rebuilding effort and the desire to restore God’s presence in Jerusalem. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular word or phrase further? Give you a more detailed explanation of the historical context? Compare it to another Bible verse?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Ezra 4:21. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising verse in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about stopping something – a building project – and giving a new instruction to stop it completely. It’s essentially saying, "Stop this construction immediately!" Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ezra 4:21” : This refers to a specific event in ancient Jerusalem during the time of Ezra. “Give ye now commandment…” : Ezra is giving a direct command – a rule or instruction – to everyone involved in the building project. It’s not just one person; it's a widespread order. “…to cause these men to cease…” : This means to stop the construction work completely. “Cease” means to stop, halt, or end. “…and that this city be not built…” : This is the key part. The instruction is to not build anything further. It’s a clear directive – stop building! "...until [another] commandment shall be given from me.” : This is crucial. Ezra isn't simply stopping the construction; he’s giving a new, higher command. He promises to give another rule or instruction after this one. What does it mean in context? This verse is significant because it points to a period of rebuilding and restoration in Jerusalem after a long time of turmoil and destruction. The focus was on rebuilding the temple – God’s house – and restoring the city to its former glory. Ezra's command suggests that something had been built that needed to be stopped, perhaps due to a violation or mistake. In short: Ezra is instructing everyone involved in building a new city to halt their work immediately until he gives them a new rule for what comes next. Important Note: The exact details of the situation are somewhat mysterious and debated by scholars, but this verse is generally understood to be about stopping a construction project that was causing problems or disrupting the rebuilding process. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Discuss the historical context? Explain what “commandment” means in biblical terms?

Definition: Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 4:22. It's a really important and somewhat complex passage in the Bible, and it’s often misunderstood. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is about responsibility and consequences for breaking promises. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Take heed now that ye fail not to do this…” – This means "Pay attention now, don't miss out on this." It's a warning. "...why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?" - This is the key part. The verse is talking about a situation where people have broken a law or agreement and it’s causing trouble for those in power – specifically, the King. Putting it all together: Ezra was essentially telling the people that they needed to be careful and not break any agreements or promises made to the King. The damage caused by this breaking of the agreement could lead to serious problems and hurt the King’s authority. In simpler terms: It's a reminder that every action has consequences. Breaking promises, especially those with significant power involved (like laws), can have lasting negative effects. Important Context - Why it Matters: This verse is found in the Old Testament and relates to a period when there was a major disaster and rebuilding happening in Jerusalem. It speaks to accountability and the importance of upholding agreements. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about the historical situation this verse came from? Answer any specific questions you have about this passage?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 4:23. It’s a really important part of how the Bible describes a crucial event in the story of Jewish restoration after the Babylonian Exile. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: The Exile: After Babylon conquered Judah (a major Jewish kingdom), many Jews were exiled – forced to leave their homes and lives. This was a really difficult time for them. The Trial: The Jewish people faced a trial of shame and brokenness because they didn’t follow God's laws perfectly. They weren't living a righteous life. A Message from Ezra: Ezra, a leader, sent a message to the elders of the community in Jerusalem. This message was delivered to Rehum (a scribe) and Shimshai (another scribe). What Happened Next? The Copy Read: They read a particular passage of law – a “copy” – from the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). A Trial by Force: They then went to Jerusalem and, because they weren’t following the rules perfectly, they forced people to stop and obey the laws. It was a forceful attempt to bring them back into compliance. Putting it Together – The Meaning: The verse essentially says that this action of forcing obedience to the laws was a painful and disruptive thing. It showed how badly the Jews needed to repent (change their ways) and be right with God again. Key Takeaway: It’s a reminder that the Jewish people faced a serious challenge – a failure to live according to God's law – and this action of forcing them to obey was a painful consequence of that failure. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this event in more detail? Answer any specific questions about this passage?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 4:24. It’s a really important part of understanding how things were going in ancient Jerusalem during a time of upheaval. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the work of God – or his people – was stopping. “Ezra 4”: This refers to a period of time in Jerusalem around 46 before the reign of King Darius. Ezra was a Jewish priest who led a group of people back to following the laws and practices of the Old Testament. “The work of the house of God…” – This is a very poetic way of saying “the community of Israel” - that’s the Jewish people, as they were then organized. “…which [is] at Jerusalem.” - This tells us it was happening in Jerusalem . “Then ceased… unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” – This is the key part. “Ceased” means stopped. “To the second year of the reign of Darius…” means this stopping happened for a period of two years, starting with the reign of King Darius in Persia (modern-day Iran). So, what does it mean? It means that after a time when the Jewish community was actively building and practicing their faith, especially according to the laws of Moses, the work of God – or his people – stopped. It’s like a pause in something important. Why is this significant? This event is often seen as a turning point. It suggests that there were problems within the community - perhaps some people weren't following the rules, or there was a lack of focus. Darius, the king of Persia, was powerful and had influence over the region, so this pause in activity might have been a sign that things were becoming difficult for the Jewish community. In short: The work of God in Jerusalem stopped during a two-year period as a result of a leadership issue within the community. Do you want me to explain anything else about this verse, or perhaps delve into its context or significance?