Ezra 4:2
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 Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ
Then they came
H5066
וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ
Then they came
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
1 of 25
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
רָאשֵׁ֣י
and to the chief
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֣י
and to the chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
5 of 25
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָֽאָב֗וֹת
of the fathers
H1
הָֽאָב֗וֹת
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 25
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
נִבְנֶ֣ה
unto them Let us build
H1129
נִבְנֶ֣ה
unto them Let us build
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
9 of 25
to build (literally and figuratively)
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 25
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִדְר֖וֹשׁ
with you for we seek
H1875
נִדְר֖וֹשׁ
with you for we seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
H430
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 25
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְל֣אֹ׀
H3808
וְל֣אֹ׀
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זֹֽבְחִ֗ים
as ye do and we do sacrifice
H2076
זֹֽבְחִ֗ים
as ye do and we do sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
17 of 25
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
מִימֵי֙
unto him since the days
H3117
מִימֵי֙
unto him since the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assur
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
of Assur
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
22 of 25
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֥ה
which brought us up hither
H5927
הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֥ה
which brought us up hither
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
23 of 25
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
2 Kings 19:37And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.2 Kings 17:24And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.
Historical Context
Esarhaddon ruled Assyria 681-669 BC, approximately 150 years before this encounter. His settlement of foreign peoples in Samaria (2 Kings 17:24) created the mixed Samaritan population. Their claim to worship Yahweh was partially true—they did offer sacrifices at various high places. However, they simultaneously worshiped pagan deities, violating the first commandment. Allowing them to 'build with you' would have legitimized syncretism and corrupted temple worship. The Jews' refusal, though creating opposition, maintained covenant purity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the adversaries' claim 'we seek your God, as ye do' demonstrate that false religion often claims compatibility with truth?
- What does the necessity of refusing seemingly cooperative offers teach about discerning between genuine faith and syncretism?
Analysis & Commentary
The deceptive offer: '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.' The claim 'we seek your God, as ye do' asserted religious compatibility. The reference to Esarhaddon (681-669 BC) verified longstanding worship. However, 2 Kings 17:33 exposes their syncretism: 'they feared the LORD, and served their own gods.' Their offer appeared cooperative but threatened to corrupt pure worship with pagan elements.