Ezra 4:23

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֱדַ֗יִן
Now
then (of time)
#2
מִן
when
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#3
דִּ֞י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#4
פַּרְשֶׁ֤גֶן
the copy
a transcript
#5
נִשְׁתְּוָנָא֙
letter
an epistle
#6
דִּ֚י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#7
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣שְׂתְּא
Artaxerxes
artachshasta (or artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
#8
מַלְכָּ֔א
of king
a king
#9
קֱרִ֧י
was read
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#10
קֳדָם
before
before
#11
רְח֛וּם
Rehum
rechum, the name of a persian
#12
וְשִׁמְשַׁ֥י
and Shimshai
shimshai, a samaritan
#13
סָֽפְרָ֖א
the scribe
a scribe (secular or sacred)
#14
וּכְנָוָֽתְה֑וֹן
and their companions
a colleague (as having the same title)
#15
אֲזַ֨לוּ
they went up
to depart
#16
בִבְהִיל֤וּ
in haste
a hurry; only adverb, hastily
#17
לִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙
to Jerusalem
jerusalem
#18
עַל
unto
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
יְה֣וּדָיֵ֔א
the Jews
a jehudaite (or judaite), i.e., jew
#20
וּבַטִּ֥לוּ
to cease
to stop
#21
הִמּ֖וֹ
and made them
they
#22
בְּאֶדְרָ֥ע
by force
an arm, i.e., (figuratively) power
#23
וְחָֽיִל׃
and power
an army, or strength

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. 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 historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection