Pendant tout le règne de Cyrus, roi de Perse, et jusqu'à celui de Darius, ils donnèrent de l'argent à des conseillers de la cour pour qu'ils fassent échouer les projets des Juifs.
Que signifie ce verset ?
This verse describes how some people hired counselors to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple during the reigns of Cyrus and Darius. The goal was to frustrate and delay the work of the returning exiles.
Expliqué aux enfants
Imagine you're trying to build a big sandcastle, but some kids keep coming to tell the grown-ups not to let you. They do this for a long time, just like in this story where some people tried to stop others from rebuilding a very important place.
Contexte historique
Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote this text around 450-440 BCE. It was written for the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. The cultural setting was one of tension between the returning exiles and local inhabitants.
Application pour aujourd'hui
In today’s world, we can see this as a reminder of the challenges and opposition that can come when we try to do something important for our community or faith. Like the returning exiles, we can face obstacles but should remain steadfast.
The counselors were likely hired by local inhabitants who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem to influence the Persian rulers against the returning exiles.
What was the purpose of rebuilding the temple?
The purpose was to restore the worship of God in Jerusalem after the exile, which was central to the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people.
Why did the opposition continue for so long?
The opposition lasted throughout the reigns of Cyrus and Darius because it was politically and culturally significant to prevent the reestablishment of a powerful Jewish center.
How can we apply this verse to our lives today?
This verse teaches us to persevere through opposition when working on important endeavors, just as the exiles did in rebuilding the temple despite the challenges.