Ezra 4:4
Ezra 4:4 in Multiple Translations
Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
Then the people of the land made the hands of the people of Judah feeble, troubling them with fear in their building;
Then the local people set out to intimidate the people of Judah and make them too scared to go on building.
Wherefore the people of the land discouraged the people of Iudah, and troubled them in buylding,
And it cometh to pass, the people of the land are making the hands of the people of Judah feeble, and troubling them in building,
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
Then the people of the land hindered the hands of the people of Juda, and troubled them in building.
Then the people who had been living in that land before the Israelis returned tried to cause the Jews to become discouraged and become afraid, and to cause them to stop building the temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezra 4:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִי֙
עַם
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
מְרַפִּ֖ים
יְדֵ֣י
עַם
יְהוּדָ֑ה
ו/מבלהים
וּֽ/מְבַהֲלִ֥ים
אוֹתָ֖/ם
לִ/בְנֽוֹת
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עַם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
מְרַפִּ֖ים
râphâh
H7503
to slacken
V-Piel
יְדֵ֣י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd
עַם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
ו/מבלהים
bâlahh
H1089
to trouble
Conj | V-Piel
וּֽ/מְבַהֲלִ֥ים
bâhal
H926
to dismay
Conj | V-Piel
אוֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
לִ/בְנֽוֹת
bânâh
H1129
to build
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:4
וַ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עַם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מְרַפִּ֖ים
râphâh
H7503
"to slacken"
V-Piel
This Hebrew word means to slacken or relax, and is used in many contexts, such as feeling disheartened or abandoning something. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including in Psalms and Proverbs. The word can also mean to let go or be idle.
Definition: 1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sink down 1a2) to sink, drop 1a3) to sink, relax, abate 1a4) to relax, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) idle (participle) 1c) (Piel) to let drop 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake 1d2) to let go 1d3) to refrain, let alone 1d4) to be quiet 1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en). See H7495 (רָפָא). See also: Exodus 4:26; Nehemiah 6:3; Psalms 37:8.
יְדֵ֣י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
עַם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
ו/מבלהים
bâlahh
H1089
"to trouble"
Conj | V-Piel
To trouble or terrify someone, causing them to feel anxious or fearful, as seen in the book of Job. It's a strong emotion that can be overwhelming, like the troubles faced by the Israelites.
Definition: (Piel) to trouble
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: trouble. See also: Ezra 4:4.
וּֽ/מְבַהֲלִ֥ים
bâhal
H926
"to dismay"
Conj | V-Piel
This verb means to be alarmed or agitated, often suddenly. It's used in the Bible to describe people's reactions to frightening events, like battles or natural disasters. It can also mean to hurry or act hastily.
Definition: 1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious 1a2) to be in haste, be hasty 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened 1b2) to dismay, terrify 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to hasten 1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste 1d2) to dismay, terrify
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex. See also: Genesis 45:3; Psalms 6:4; Psalms 2:5.
אוֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לִ/בְנֽוֹת
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
Study Notes — Ezra 4:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezra 4:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
- Sermons on Ezra 4:4
Context — Adversaries Hinder the Work
2they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.”
3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.”
4Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.
5They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 3:3 | They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 6:9 | For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 38:4 | Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 35:3–4 | Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” |
| 5 | Nehemiah 4:11 | And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” |
| 6 | Nehemiah 4:7–8 | When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance. |
Ezra 4:4 Summary
This verse, Ezra 4:4, tells us that the people of the land tried to discourage and scare the people of Judah so they would stop building the temple. This is similar to how the devil tries to discourage us from doing God's work, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8-9. But we can trust in God's power and sovereignty, just like the people of Judah did, and remember that He is always with us, as promised in Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5. By trusting in God and staying faithful, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things for His glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the people of the land want to discourage the people of Judah from building?
The people of the land likely wanted to maintain their own power and control over the region, and the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem threatened their interests, as seen in Ezra 4:4 and supported by the actions in Nehemiah 4:1-3.
How did the people of the land try to discourage the people of Judah?
According to Ezra 4:4, the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build, which is similar to the tactics used by the enemies of God's people in other parts of the Bible, such as in Exodus 1:9-10 and Acts 4:1-3.
What can we learn from the people of Judah's experience in this verse?
We can learn that when we are trying to do God's work, we can expect opposition and discouragement from those who do not share our faith, but we must remain faithful and trust in God's sovereignty, as encouraged in Isaiah 43:1-3 and Romans 8:28.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
This verse is part of the larger story of God's people returning to Jerusalem after exile, which is a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament, including in books like Deuteronomy 30:1-10 and Ezekiel 37:21-28, and is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as seen in Luke 21:24 and Revelation 21:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced discouragement or opposition in my own life, and how can I apply the lessons from this verse to those situations?
- How can I remain faithful and trust in God's sovereignty when faced with challenges or setbacks, and what role does prayer and community play in this process?
- What are some ways that I can support and encourage others who are facing discouragement or opposition, and how can I be a source of hope and strength for them?
- What does this verse reveal about the nature of spiritual warfare, and how can I be prepared to face spiritual battles in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:4
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:4
Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah ... Exasperated by this
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
The people of the land, Heb. of that land; the present inhabitants of that province, to wit, the Samaritans. Troubled them in building; by false reports and threats, and other means, described afterwards.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,Ver. 4. Then the people of the land] Who the nearer they came unto a conjunction with the Jews in matters of religion the deeper hatred they bare them. Thus at this day, a Jew hates a Christian worse than he doth a Pagan; so doth a Turk hate a Persian worse than he doth a Christian; a Papist, a Protestant worse than he doth a Turk; a formalist, a Puritan worse than he doth a Papist, Odia Theologica sunt acerbissima. Religious hatred is most shep. Weakened the hands of the people of Judah] Discouraged them all they could, endeavouring to transfuse, as it were, a dead palsy into their fingers, that they might surcease, or, at least, slack their pains. Well might Solomon say, Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous: but who can stand before envy? surely the venom of all vices is found in this sharp fanged malignity. And troubled them in building] Heb. Kept ado about them, and terrified them. This was to do the work of their father, the devil, that troubler of God’ s Israel ( ad iniuriam inferendam totus comparatus, οπονηρος), set upon it to vex such as begin but to build the tower of godliness, and to hinder them to the utmost.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
Verse 4. Weakened the hands] Discouraged and opposed them by every possible means.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:4
4. Then the people of the land] i.e. the Samaritans, as opposed to ‘the people of Judah’. It is noteworthy that this expression ‘the people of the land’ (’am haâreç) became a synonym for ‘the ignorant’ or ‘the vulgar’ in contrast to ‘the wise’, with special reference to a knowledge of ‘the law’. Cf. John 7:49 ‘This people who knoweth not the law are cursed’. Buxtorf gives illustrations by the Jewish proverbs ‘Better is the bastard who is the disciple of the wise than the high-priest of the people of the land’ (i.e. who is ‘vulgar’) ‘The people of the land (i.e. the ‘vulgar’) have degrees of morals but none of intelligence’. weakened the hands] The Hebrew construction gives the idea of a continuous policy of weakening, terrifying, and bribing. For the phrase itself compare Jeremiah 38:4. the people of Judah] ‘The children of the captivity’ are here given the name of the old southern kingdom. Cf. Ezra 4:12. troubled] so R.V.: marg. Or ‘terrified’.
There are two readings. The reading of the Hebrew text or K’thib gives a word that does not occur elsewhere in the O.T. but is connected with a substantive rendered ‘terror’ (R.V. Isaiah 17:14). The reading of the Hebrew tradition or K’ri, preserved with the text, gives an otherwise unused form of a common word meaning ‘to trouble’. In all probability the letters of the unused root were transposed by a scribe so as to give the familiar root; preference should be given to the harder rendering, ‘terrified them from building’.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:4
4. Weakened the hands of the people — By throwing all possible difficulties in their way.
Sermons on Ezra 4:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Ezra) ch.5 & 6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being spiritually violent in pursuing God's purposes. He references Matthew 11:12, where Jesus says that the kingdom of he |
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Bible Survey - Ezra by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the life of Ezra, a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, who led the second expedition from Babylon to reinforce and inspire the struggling Judeans in rebu |
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Our Daily Homily - Ezra by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the divine stirring of Cyrus as a fulfillment of prophecy, highlighting the importance of prayer and obedience in responding to God's call. He reflects on the |
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And They Set the Alter Upon Its Bases. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the necessity of establishing an altar in our lives as a foundation for spiritual renewal and success in our endeavors. The altar symbolizes forgiveness and a |
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Letter: 52e 112 Brother, -, September 24th, 1846 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby emphasizes the importance of recognizing the current state of the church, which he describes as a general ruin of the dispensation. He expresses confidence in God |
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End-Time Conditions by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the Book of Nehemiah as a representation of end-time conditions, linking it to the coming of the Lord and the need for God's people |
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We Travel an Appointed Way by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of staying focused on God's calling, as exemplified by Nehemiah, who rose from his sorrow to rebuild Jerusalem despite ridicule and opposition. |