Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Then they came to Zerubbabel and the family leaders, and said to them, 'Let us help you build: for we worship your God, just as you do; and we have been offering sacrifices to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.'
The local inhabitants offered to help the Jewish exiles rebuild the temple, claiming they also worshipped the same God.
📚 Historical Context
This took place around 537 BC when Jewish exiles had returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. The people making this offer were likely Samaritans and other groups who had been settled in the land by various Assyrian kings, including Esarhaddon (681-669 BC). These groups practiced a mixed form of religion that combined worship of the Jewish God with other pagan practices.
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