New International VersionThey bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
New Living TranslationThey bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne.
English Standard Versionand bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Berean Standard BibleThey 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.
King James BibleAnd hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
New King James Versionand hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
New American Standard Bibleand bribed advisers against them to frustrate their advice all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
NASB 1995and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
NASB 1977 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Legacy Standard Bible and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Amplified Bibleand hired advisers [to work] against them to frustrate their plans during the entire time that Cyrus king of Persia reigned, [and this lasted] even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Christian Standard BibleThey also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThey also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
American Standard Versionand 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.
Contemporary English VersionDuring the time that Cyrus was king and even until Darius became king, they kept bribing government officials to slow down the work.
English Revised Versionand 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThey bribed officials to keep the people of Judah from carrying out their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
Good News TranslationThey also bribed Persian government officials to work against them. They kept on doing this throughout the reign of Emperor Cyrus and into the reign of Emperor Darius.
International Standard Versionby bribing their consultants in order to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia until Darius became king.
NET BibleThey were hiring advisers to oppose them, so as to frustrate their plans, throughout the time of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
New Heart English Bibleand hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Kurush king of Persia, even until the reign of Darayavush king of Persia.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey 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.
World English BibleThey hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand are hiring against them counselors to make void their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Young's Literal Translation and are hiring against them counsellors to make void their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even till the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd counselors being hired against them to annul their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, and even to the kingdom of Darius king of Persia. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their design all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of the Persians.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen they hired counselors against them, so that they might argue against their plan during all the days of Cyrus, king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius, king of the Persians.
New American BibleThey also bribed counselors to work against them and to frustrate their plans during all the years of Cyrus, king of Persia, and even into the reign of Darius, king of Persia.
New Revised Standard Versionand they bribed officials to frustrate their plan throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd hired objectors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd they hired obstructers against them that they would nullify their counsels all the days of Kurash the Persian King, until the kingdom of Darius King of Persia. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and 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.
Brenton Septuagint Translationand continued hiring persons against them, plotting to frustrate their counsel, all the days of Cyrus king of the Persians, and until the reign of Darius king of the Persians.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Adversaries Hinder the Work… 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.
Cross References Nehemiah 4:7-8When 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.
Nehemiah 6:1-9When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. / So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” ...
Daniel 6:4-5Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
Nehemiah 2:19-20But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 4:1-3Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Nehemiah 6:14O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me.
Esther 3:8-9Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”
Acts 13:8-10But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. / Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas / and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
Acts 4:18-21Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...
Acts 5:27-29They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
Acts 6:9-14But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, / but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. / Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” ...
Acts 17:5-9The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...
Acts 19:23-41About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen. / Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. ...
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, / who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
Matthew 10:17-18But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
Psalm 2:1,2
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? … Nahum 1:11
There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counseller. Acts 24:1
And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. Darius Ezra 4:24
Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter. Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. Jump to Previous Counsel Counsellors Counselors Cyrus Darius Designs Effecting Entire Frustrate Hired Hiring Kept Payment Persia Plans Purpose Reign Time Void WorkJump to Next Counsel Counsellors Counselors Cyrus Darius Designs Effecting Entire Frustrate Hired Hiring Kept Payment Persia Plans Purpose Reign Time Void WorkEzra 4 1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, 4. endeavor to hinder it7. Their letter to Artaxerxes17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes23. The building is hinderedThey hired counselors against themThis phrase indicates a deliberate and strategic opposition to the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles. The hiring of counselors suggests a formal and possibly legal approach to thwart the plans of the Israelites. In the ancient Near Eastern context, counselors were often skilled in law and diplomacy, and their involvement implies that the opposition was well-organized and possibly involved in lobbying Persian officials. This reflects the broader theme of spiritual warfare and opposition faced by God's people throughout biblical history. to frustrate their plans
The intent was to create confusion and delay in the rebuilding of the temple. This frustration of plans can be seen as a tactic used by adversaries to discourage and demoralize the Israelites. Theologically, this reflects the ongoing struggle between God's purposes and the forces that seek to hinder them. It also highlights the perseverance required by the faithful to overcome obstacles in fulfilling God's commands. throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia
Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 559-530 BC, was the Persian king who initially allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, as recorded in Ezra 1:1-4. His decree was seen as a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1). However, despite his favorable policies, local opposition persisted, indicating that even when political conditions seem favorable, challenges can still arise. and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia
Darius I, who reigned from 522-486 BC, eventually supported the completion of the temple, as seen in Ezra 6:1-12. The mention of his reign marks a period of continued opposition but also eventual triumph for the Israelites. This period saw the reaffirmation of the decree to rebuild, illustrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness in ensuring the fulfillment of His promises despite prolonged opposition. Persons / Places / Events 1. Cyrus King of PersiaThe ruler who initially allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. His reign marked the beginning of the return from exile. 2. Darius King of PersiaThe king who later reaffirmed the decree of Cyrus, allowing the continuation of the temple rebuilding project. 3. CounselorsIndividuals hired by the adversaries of the Jews to obstruct and frustrate the rebuilding efforts. 4. The JewsThe returning exiles who were attempting to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 5. JerusalemThe city where the temple was being rebuilt, central to Jewish worship and identity. Teaching Points Opposition to God's WorkExpect resistance when undertaking God's work. Just as the Jews faced opposition, believers today may encounter challenges when pursuing God's plans. Perseverance in FaithDespite opposition, the Jews continued their efforts. Believers are encouraged to persevere in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises. God's SovereigntyGod used both Cyrus and Darius to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us that God is sovereign over rulers and nations, and His plans cannot be thwarted. Spiritual WarfareThe hiring of counselors to frustrate the Jews' plans is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face. We must be vigilant and prayerful, relying on God's strength. Community SupportThe Jews worked together to rebuild the temple. In facing opposition, believers should support and encourage one another in their faith journeys. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 4:5?
2. How did adversaries "hire counselors" to frustrate the Jews' rebuilding efforts?
3. What can we learn about perseverance from Ezra 4:5's opposition?
4. How does Ezra 4:5 relate to spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:12?
5. How should Christians respond to opposition when fulfilling God's work today?
6. What strategies can we use to remain steadfast despite external discouragement?
7. Why did adversaries hire counselors to frustrate the Jews' plans in Ezra 4:5?
8. How does Ezra 4:5 reflect opposition to God's work throughout history?
9. What does Ezra 4:5 reveal about spiritual warfare against God's people?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 4?
11. Who was Darius in the Bible?
12. How can Daniel 10:1 reference the “third year of Cyrus” if other passages suggest a different timeline for Cyrus’s reign?
13. Psalm 138:4-5 speaks of all kings praising God. Is there any historical evidence that surrounding nations' rulers ever truly honored Israel's God in this way?
14. How can Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy in 2 Chronicles 36:21 be reconciled with varying historical sources about the length of the exile?What Does Ezra 4:5 Mean They hired counselors“They hired counselors…” (Ezra 4:5) • The adversaries of Judah and Benjamin didn’t rely on occasional harassment; they engaged professional lobbyists and legal experts to block the work. • This shows deliberate, strategic opposition—echoing Psalm 2:2, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers convene together, against the LORD and His Anointed One.” • Like Absalom recruiting Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 15:31, the enemy understands the power of shrewd counsel. • For God’s people, it’s a reminder that resistance may come through sophisticated channels, not merely open hostility (Ephesians 6:11-12).
against them to frustrate their plans“…against them to frustrate their plans…” • The goal was to “frustrate,” literally to break the momentum of rebuilding the temple (Ezra 4:1-4). • Similar tactics appear in Nehemiah 4:7-8, where Sanballat and Tobiah “plotted together to fight against Jerusalem and create confusion.” • In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul speaks of Satan hindering his mission—showing that God’s work often meets calculated obstruction. • Yet Proverbs 19:21 reassures, “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”
throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia“…throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia…” • Cyrus issued the decree for the return and temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 44:28), but local officials exploited imperial bureaucracy to counteract his intentions. • The opposition began almost immediately after the foundation was laid (Ezra 3:10-13). • Daniel 10:12-13 offers a glimpse of spiritual warfare occurring alongside political maneuvering during the Persian era. • The lesson: a God-given mandate does not eliminate sustained resistance; obedience must persevere.
and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia“…and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.” • The harassment stretched from roughly 536 BC (Cyrus’s first year) to 522 BC and beyond, into Darius I’s reign—about sixteen years of nonstop pressure. • Ezra 5:1-2 records that only when prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people did the work resume under Darius. • Haggai 1:2-4 highlights how prolonged opposition tempted the exiles to delay God’s house while attending to their own. • Perseverance paid off: Ezra 6:14-15 notes that “the elders of the Jews continued building and prospering… and they finished it… in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius”.
summaryEzra 4:5 unveils an intentional, long-term campaign to derail God’s rebuilding project. Adversaries invested in expert counsel, orchestrated confusion, and leveraged political change, yet they never overturned the divine plan. The verse encourages believers to expect organized resistance, remain steadfast over time, and trust that, as in Ezra’s day, God will ultimately vindicate His purposes. (5) And hired counsellors against them.--They adopted a systematic course of employing paid agents at the court: continued for eight years, till B.C. 529. Cambyses, his son, succeeded Cyrus; he died B.C. 522; then followed the pseudo-Smerdis, a usurper, whose short reign Darius did not reckon, but dated his own reign from B.C. 522. A comparison of dates shows that this was the first Darius, the son of Hystaspes. Verse 5. - And hired counsellors against them. It is always possible at an Oriental court to bribe some of the royal favourites, and induce them to use their influence with the monarch for the furtherance, or hindrance, of any work that is being proceeded with in any part of the country. The Samaritans now had recourse to this system, and employed it with great success for a considerable period. All the days of Cyrus. i.e. "all the remaining days," from B.C. 537 to B.C. 529, when Cyrus died, and was succeeded by his son Cambyses. Even until the reign of Darius. It is implied that the reign of Darius did not immediately follow on that of Cyrus. Profane history tells us of two intermediate kings, via, Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who reigned from B.C. 529 to B.C. 522, and Smerdis, or Bardes, a usurper, who occupied the throne for about ten months in the years B.C. 522, 521. Darius became king in this last-named year, but seems to have counted his reign from the date of the decease of Cambyses.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew They hiredוְסֹכְרִ֧ים (wə·sō·ḵə·rîm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7936: To hirecounselorsיוֹעֲצִ֖ים (yō·w·‘ă·ṣîm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolveagainst themעֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (‘ă·lê·hem)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, againstto frustrateלְהָפֵ֣ר (lə·hā·p̄êr)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustratetheir plansעֲצָתָ֑ם (‘ă·ṣā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudencethroughoutכָּל־ (kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, everythe reignיְמֵ֗י (yə·mê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A dayof Cyrusכּ֚וֹרֶשׁ (kō·w·reš)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3566: Cyrus -- a person kingkingמֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A kingof Persiaפָּרַ֔ס (pā·ras)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylonand down toוְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, whilethe reignמַלְכ֖וּת (mal·ḵūṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdomof Dariusדָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ (dā·rə·yā·weš)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1867: Darius -- the name of several person kingskingמֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A kingof Persia.פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon
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OT History: Ezra 4:5 And hired counselors against them to frustrate (Ezr. Ez) |
