And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
And they hired advisors to work against them, to block their plans, throughout the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia, and continuing until Darius became king of Persia.
The writer is describing how opponents of the Jewish people hired political consultants to sabotage their rebuilding efforts for many years.
📚 Historical Context
During the time of King Cyrus of Persia, the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple as part of his decree granting religious freedom to captive peoples. However, neighboring groups who opposed the Jews hired counselors to influence Persian authorities and block the rebuilding efforts, seeing it as a threat to their own interests. This opposition dragged on for years, spanning from Cyrus's reign into that of Darius, highlighting the political and cultural tensions in the region.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.