King James Version

What Does Ezra 4:2 Mean?

Ezra 4:2 in the King James Version says “Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek yo... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 4:2 · KJV


Context

1

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; the children: Heb. the sons of the transportation

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 Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

3

But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

4

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the adversaries' claim 'we seek your God, as ye do' demonstrate that false religion often claims compatibility with truth?
  2. What does the necessity of refusing seemingly cooperative offers teach about discerning between genuine faith and syncretism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ1 of 25

Then they came

H5066

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

אֶל2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל3 of 25

to Zerubbabel

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

וְאֶל4 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָאשֵׁ֣י5 of 25

and to the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָֽאָב֗וֹת6 of 25

of the fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ7 of 25

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶם֙8 of 25
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

נִבְנֶ֣ה9 of 25

unto them Let us build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

עִמָּכֶ֔ם10 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כִּ֣י11 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָכֶ֔ם12 of 25
H0
נִדְר֖וֹשׁ13 of 25

with you for we seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם14 of 25

your God

H430

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׀15 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲנַ֣חְנוּ16 of 25
H587

we

זֹֽבְחִ֗ים17 of 25

as ye do and we do sacrifice

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

מִימֵי֙18 of 25

unto him since the days

H3117

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

אֵסַ֤ר19 of 25
H0
חַדֹּן֙20 of 25

of Esarhaddon

H634

esar-chaddon, an assyrian king

מֶ֣לֶךְ21 of 25

king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר22 of 25

of Assur

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

הַמַּֽעֲלֶ֥ה23 of 25

which brought us up hither

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֹתָ֖נוּ24 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פֹּֽה׃25 of 25
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 4:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 4:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study