Ezra 4:4

Then the people of the land weakened the handes of the people of Iudah, and troubled them in building,
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from building,
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
- American Standard Version (1901)

Then the people of the land made the hands of the people of Judah feeble, troubling them with fear in their building;
- Basic English Bible

And the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building;
- Darby Bible

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
- Webster's Bible

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,
- World English Bible

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,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and harried them while they were building,
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Ezra 4:4

4:2 With you - This they spake not sincerely, but that by this conjunction with them, they might pry into their counsels, and thereby find some matter of accusation against them. We seek - For so they did, though in a mongrel way, #2Kings 17:26|, &c. Esarhaddon - Son of Sennacherib, and after him king of Assyria, who brought or sent these persons hither, either, in the day's of Salmanasar, who reigned in Assyria but eight years before Esarhaddon; and so Esarhaddon might be one of his commanders, and the man by whom that colony was sent. Or, in the reign of Esarhaddon, who sent this second colony to strengthen the first.

4:3 With us - As being of another nation and religion, and therefore not concerned in Cyrus's grant, which was confined to the Israelites. Take heed, whom you go partners with, and on whose hand you lean. While we trust God with an absolute confidence, we must trust men with a prudent caution.

4:5 Cyrus - For though Cyrus still favoured the Jews, yet he was then diverted by his wars, and his son Cambyses was left his vice - roy, who was a wicked prince, and an enemy to the Jews. Until - Heb. and until, &c. not only in the reign of Cyrus but also of Cambyses, and of the magician, after whom was Darius.

4:6 Ahasuerus - A common name to divers kings of Persia. Cambyses the son and successor of Cyrus, was known to be no friend to the Jewish nation.