Ezra 4:23

Now R.V. Then, i.e. Thereupon.

read before cf. 18.

they went up in haste R.V. they went in haste. Far from being slack in executing the king's decree: gratified malice made them prompt as well as desirous to stay the work.

made them to cease by force and power Literally -with an arm and with troops". Vulg. -in brachio et robore", cf. Ezekiel 17:9, -without great power" (lit. arm); Daniel 11:15; Daniel 11:31 (-arms" = strength). The LXX. render -with horses and force" (ἐν ἵπποις καὶ δυνάμει). The Samaritans stopped the Jews from building "by main force". If the Jews resisted, resistance was useless in the face of the royal decree.

Perhaps we may see in the reference to the ruinous condition of the walls and defences of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 1:3, the results of the forcible means taken by the Samaritans to cause the work to cease.