Nagsulat man si Rehum nga gobernador kag si Shimshai nga sekretaryo kay Haring Artaserkses kontra sa mga taga-Jerusalem. Amo ini ang ila nga sulat: “Mahal nga Haring Artaserkses, “ Una sa tanan nagapangamusta kami sa imo, kami nga imo mga alagad diri sa probinsya sa west sang Euphrates. Lakip sa mga nagapangamusta amo ang amon kaupod nga mga pangulo kag mga opisyal, ang mga katawhan sang Tripolis, Persia, Erec, Babilonia, kag ang katawhan sang Susa sa duta sang Elam. Nagapangamusta man ang mga katawhan nga ginpahalin sa ila mga lugar ni Osnapar, ang bantog kag gamhanan nga hari sang Assyria. Ini nga mga katawhan ginpaestar niya sa siyudad sang Samaria kag sa iban nga mga lugar sa west sang Euphrates.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Rehum and Shimshai wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes criticizing Jerusalem. They were likely trying to stop the rebuilding of the city.
Explained for Children
Imagine two kids writing a letter to the principal to complain about their school's playground being fixed up. That's what Rehum and Shimshai did, but they were writing to a king about the city of Jerusalem.
Historical Background
This letter was written during the time of the Persian Empire, around the 5th century BCE, when King Artaxerxes ruled. The letter aimed to discourage the king from supporting the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Living It Out Today
When faced with opposition to a good cause, remember that it's important to stand firm in your beliefs and not let detractors stop you from doing what is right.
The letter was written by Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe.
Why did Rehum and Shimshai write this letter?
They wrote to oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem and possibly halt the construction activities.
What was King Artaxerxes' role in this context?
Artaxerxes was the Persian king who received the letter and had the authority to influence the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of rebuilding in the Old Testament?
This verse shows the challenges faced by the people of Israel in rebuilding Jerusalem after their exile, highlighting the ongoing opposition they encountered.