And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
And Pethahiah, the son of Meshezabeel, who was a descendant of Zerah from the tribe of Judah, served as the king's representative in all matters involving the people.
This verse identifies Pethahiah as the official who served as a liaison between the Persian king and the Jewish people, handling their concerns and needs.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the time when the Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon (around 445 BC) under Persian rule. The Persian kings appointed Jewish officials to serve as intermediaries between the royal court and the Jewish community. These representatives would present the people's needs to the king and ensure royal policies were properly communicated and implemented among the Jews.
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