This verse from 1 Esdras 2:17 is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes. Let's break down what it means:
"To king Artaxerxes our Lord": This is a standard formal salutation, acknowledging the king's power and authority.
"Your servants, Rathumus the storywriter, and Samellius the scribe": These are the primary authors of the letter. Rathumus is described as a "storywriter" (likely in the sense of a historian or reporter), and Samellius is a scribe, skilled in writing and record-keeping. They are presenting themselves as loyal subjects of the king.
"and the rest of their council": This indicates that Rathumus and Samellius are not acting alone. They represent a larger group of officials or advisors. "Council" likely refers to a group of people who advise or make decisions together.
"and the judges that are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia": This further expands the group supporting the letter. It specifies that judges from the regions of Coelesyria (a region in southern Syria and Lebanon) and Phoenicia (a coastal region of present-day Lebanon and Syria) are also involved. This suggests that the concerns in the letter are widespread and affect multiple regions under Artaxerxes' rule.
In essence, this verse is the opening of a formal letter to King Artaxerxes, identifying the authors and their allies. It highlights that the letter represents the concerns of officials, advisors, and judges from Coelesyria and Phoenicia, implying a significant issue requiring the king's attention.
Context is Important: To fully understand the meaning, you need to read the rest of the letter and understand the historical context. The letter likely contains a complaint or request directed to the king, and this introduction establishes the authority and the breadth of support behind that message. By mentioning the regions and the roles of the people, it is showing that this is not just the issue of a single person but a significant concern across those areas.
This verse from 1 Esdras 2:17 is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes. Let's break down what it means:
"To king Artaxerxes our Lord": This is a standard formal salutation, acknowledging the king's power and authority.
"Your servants, Rathumus the storywriter, and Samellius the scribe": These are the primary authors of the letter. Rathumus is described as a "storywriter" (likely in the sense of a historian or reporter), and Samellius is a scribe, skilled in writing and record-keeping. They are presenting themselves as loyal subjects of the king.
"and the rest of their council": This indicates that Rathumus and Samellius are not acting alone. They represent a larger group of officials or advisors. "Council" likely refers to a group of people who advise or make decisions together.
"and the judges that are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia": This further expands the group supporting the letter. It specifies that judges from the regions of Coelesyria (a region in southern Syria and Lebanon) and Phoenicia (a coastal region of present-day Lebanon and Syria) are also involved. This suggests that the concerns in the letter are widespread and affect multiple regions under Artaxerxes' rule.
In essence, this verse is the opening of a formal letter to King Artaxerxes, identifying the authors and their allies. It highlights that the letter represents the concerns of officials, advisors, and judges from Coelesyria and Phoenicia, implying a significant issue requiring the king's attention.
Context is Important: To fully understand the meaning, you need to read the rest of the letter and understand the historical context. The letter likely contains a complaint or request directed to the king, and this introduction establishes the authority and the breadth of support behind that message. By mentioning the regions and the roles of the people, it is showing that this is not just the issue of a single person but a significant concern across those areas.
