Ezra 4:7

Afrikaans 1933/1953

En in die dae van Artas sta het Bislam, M¡tredat, T beël en sy ander partygenote aan Artas sta, die koning van Persië, geskrywe; en die skrif van die brief was Aramees geskrywe en in Aramees vertaal.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes a letter written by Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and others to King Artaxerxes of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated into Aramaic, showing the importance of communication across different languages and cultures.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your friends write a letter to your principal, but you use a special code that only some people can understand. That's what happened here. Some people wrote a letter to the king using a language not everyone knew, but they made sure it was translated so the king could understand it.

Historical Background

The letter was written during the reign of Artaxerxes, a Persian king, around 450 BCE. The audience was the king himself and the letter was written in Aramaic, which was widely used as a diplomatic language in the Persian Empire at the time.

Living It Out Today

Today, when we need to communicate with people from different backgrounds or cultures, it's important to make sure our message is clear. This could mean learning new languages, using interpreters, or finding other ways to ensure understanding across different groups.

Topics

• communication
• diplomacy
• language
• Persian Empire
• Bible history
• cultural understanding

Related Verses

• Nehemiah 1:1
• Ezra 7:12
• Daniel 2:4
• Ezra 6:18
• Nehemiah 8:13

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the letter written in Aramaic?

Aramaic was a widely spoken language during the Persian period, often used for diplomatic communications to ensure clarity and authority.

What was the purpose of the letter?

The letter was likely sent to influence Artaxerxes' policies regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem, reflecting political and social tensions of the time.

How does this verse relate to communication today?

It highlights the importance of clear communication across different languages and cultures, a principle still relevant in our globally connected world.

What can we learn about the Persian Empire from this verse?

We learn about the administrative practices of the Persian Empire, where Aramaic was used for official documents and communications with the king.