Ezra 4:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ
H5066
Then they came
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
#2
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל
H2216
to Zerubbabel
zerubbabel, an israelite
#4
וְאֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
רָאשֵׁ֣י
H7218
and to the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#6
הָֽאָב֗וֹת
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#8
לָהֶם֙
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#9
נִבְנֶ֣ה
H1129
unto them Let us build
to build (literally and figuratively)
#10
עִמָּכֶ֔ם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#11
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
כָכֶ֔ם
H0
#13
נִדְר֖וֹשׁ
H1875
with you for we seek
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#14
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם
H430
your God
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
#15
וְל֣אֹ׀
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#16
אֲנַ֣חְנוּ
H587
we
#17
זֹֽבְחִ֗ים
H2076
as ye do and we do sacrifice
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#18
מִימֵי֙
H3117
unto him since the days
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
#19
אֵסַ֤ר
H0
#20
חַדֹּן֙
H634
of Esarhaddon
esar-chaddon, an assyrian king
#21
מֶ֣לֶךְ
H4428
king
a king
#22
אַשּׁ֔וּר
H804
of Assur
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
#23
הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֥ה
H5927
which brought us up hither
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#24
אֹתָ֖נוּ
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#25
פֹּֽה׃
H6311
this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection