This verse from 1 Esdras 2:25 describes King Artaxerxes responding to a prior communication. Let's break down what it means:
"Then the king wrote back again...": This indicates the king (Artaxerxes) is replying to a letter or petition he had previously received.
"...to Rathumus the storywriter, and Beeltethmus, and Samellius the scribe...": These are names of officials in Artaxerxes' administration. "Storywriter" (or "recorder") suggests Rathumus was in charge of chronicles or official records. "Scribe" indicates Samellius was responsible for writing and copying documents. Beeltethmus' role isn't explicitly stated but the context implies he was also an official of some significance.
"...and to the rest that were in commission...": This refers to other officials who were part of a specific team, committee, or group assigned a particular task or responsibility by the king. They likely held positions of authority.
"...and lived in Samaria and Syria and Phoenicia...": This specifies the geographic locations where these officials resided and worked. Samaria was a region in central Palestine, Syria was a larger territory to the north, and Phoenicia was a coastal region along the eastern Mediterranean (modern-day Lebanon). The fact that these officials lived in these regions suggests they were responsible for overseeing affairs there.
"...after this manner:": This signals that the following text will contain the content of King Artaxerxes' reply. It prepares the reader for the specific details of the king's response to the original communication.
In essence, the verse establishes that King Artaxerxes is responding to a group of officials based in Samaria, Syria, and Phoenicia. It identifies some of these officials by name and title, and indicates that the following verses will contain the content of his written reply.
Context within 1 Esdras:
This verse is part of a section (1 Esdras 2) that describes opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The officials mentioned here were likely involved in efforts to hinder or stop the reconstruction. The letter that follows will detail Artaxerxes' response to their concerns (which he originally supported), and will likely include commands or instructions related to the Temple's construction.
This verse from 1 Esdras 2:25 describes King Artaxerxes responding to a prior communication. Let's break down what it means:
"Then the king wrote back again...": This indicates the king (Artaxerxes) is replying to a letter or petition he had previously received.
"...to Rathumus the storywriter, and Beeltethmus, and Samellius the scribe...": These are names of officials in Artaxerxes' administration. "Storywriter" (or "recorder") suggests Rathumus was in charge of chronicles or official records. "Scribe" indicates Samellius was responsible for writing and copying documents. Beeltethmus' role isn't explicitly stated but the context implies he was also an official of some significance.
"...and to the rest that were in commission...": This refers to other officials who were part of a specific team, committee, or group assigned a particular task or responsibility by the king. They likely held positions of authority.
"...and lived in Samaria and Syria and Phoenicia...": This specifies the geographic locations where these officials resided and worked. Samaria was a region in central Palestine, Syria was a larger territory to the north, and Phoenicia was a coastal region along the eastern Mediterranean (modern-day Lebanon). The fact that these officials lived in these regions suggests they were responsible for overseeing affairs there.
"...after this manner:": This signals that the following text will contain the content of King Artaxerxes' reply. It prepares the reader for the specific details of the king's response to the original communication.
In essence, the verse establishes that King Artaxerxes is responding to a group of officials based in Samaria, Syria, and Phoenicia. It identifies some of these officials by name and title, and indicates that the following verses will contain the content of his written reply.
Context within 1 Esdras:
This verse is part of a section (1 Esdras 2) that describes opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The officials mentioned here were likely involved in efforts to hinder or stop the reconstruction. The letter that follows will detail Artaxerxes' response to their concerns (which he originally supported), and will likely include commands or instructions related to the Temple's construction.
