King James Version

What Does Ezra 4:3 Mean?

Ezra 4:3 in the King James Version says “But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do wi... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 4:3 · 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,

5

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The refusal: '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.' This firm rejection risked creating enemies of potential allies. The phrase 'Ye have nothing to do with us' asserted incompatibility. The reason: 'we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.' They appealed to divine authorization through Cyrus's decree, not mere ethnic exclusivity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The refusal to include Samaritans in temple building was controversial then and now. However, allowing syncretistic worship would have violated covenant distinctiveness God demanded. The appeal to Cyrus's authorization provided legal justification—he decreed that Jews, not Samaritans, build the temple. This firm stance created lasting Samaritan-Jewish hostility (continuing into New Testament, John 4:9). However, covenant purity required it. Theological boundaries sometimes demand social consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the refusal of seemingly helpful offers teach about prioritizing covenant faithfulness over pragmatic alliances?
  2. What does appealing to Cyrus's authorization demonstrate about using legitimate authority to support necessary boundaries?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֨ם2 of 27
H0
זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל3 of 27

But Zerubbabel

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

וְיֵשׁ֗וּעַ4 of 27

and Jeshua

H3442

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

וּשְׁאָ֨ר5 of 27

and the rest

H7605

a remainder

רָאשֵׁ֤י6 of 27

of the chief

H7218

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

הָֽאָבוֹת֙7 of 27

of the fathers

H1

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֹֽא9 of 27
H3808

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

לָ֣כֶם10 of 27
H0
וָלָ֔נוּ11 of 27
H0
נִבְנֶ֗ה12 of 27

unto them Ye have nothing to do with us to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בַּ֖יִת13 of 27

an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהֵ֣י14 of 27

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

כִּי֩15 of 27
H3588

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

אֲנַ֨חְנוּ16 of 27
H587

we

יַ֜חַד17 of 27

but we ourselves together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

נִבְנֶ֗ה18 of 27

unto them Ye have nothing to do with us to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לַֽיהוָה֙19 of 27

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י20 of 27

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל21 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר22 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֔נוּ23 of 27

hath commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

מֶֽלֶךְ24 of 27

as king

H4428

a king

כּ֥וֹרֶשׁ25 of 27

Cyrus

H3566

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מֶֽלֶךְ26 of 27

as king

H4428

a king

פָּרָֽס׃27 of 27

of Persia

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants


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 4:3 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 4:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study