Ezra 4:6

“And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, etc.] According to Jarchi, this was Ahasuerus the husband of Esther; but, as most think f39, was Cambyses, the son and successor of Cyrus; so Josephus f40 ; who was an enemy to the Egyptians; and, fearing the Jews might take part with them, was no friend to them; their enemies therefore took the advantage of the death of Cyrus, and the first opportunity after Cambyses reigned in his own right: and wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem; full of hatred and enmity, spite and malice, charging them as a turbulent, disobedient, and rebellious people.”

“in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they . . . an accusation--Ahasuerus was a regal title, and the king referred to was successor of Darius, the famous Xerxes.”

“Ahasuerus - Or, Cambyses, the son and successor of Cyrus. Persian kings had often two names. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Ahasuerus - A common name to divers kings of Persia. Cambyses the son and successor of Cyrus, was known to be no friend to the Jewish nation. Ezra 4:7”

“4:6-23 These verses are a parenthetical discussion of later opposition to Jewish rebuilding efforts. The account actually belongs with much later events in the reign of Xerxes (486–465 BC) and Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC), but it is included here because it fits with the theme of opposition. Chronologically, 4:6 fits between chs 6 and 7, while 4:7-23 fits before Neh 1.”

“am 3475, bc 529 Ahasuerus: Heb. Ahashverosh, This was Cambyses, son of Cyrus, who succeeded his father, am 3475, and reigned seven years and five months. wrote: Mat 27:37; Act 24:5-9, Act 24:13, Act 25:7; Rev 12:10 Ezra 4:7”

“Complaints against the Jews to Kings Ahashverosh and Artachshasta. - The right understanding of this section depends upon the question, What kings of Persia are meant by Ahashverosh and Artachshasta? while the answer to this question is, in part at least, determined by the contents of the letter, Ezr 4:8-16, sent by the enemies of the Jews to the latter monarch. Ezr 4:6-7 And in the reign of Ahashverosh, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. שׂטנה, not to mention the name of the well, Gen 26:21, occurs here only, and means, according to its derivation from שׂטן, to bear enmity, the enmity; hence here, the accusation. ישׁבי על…”