The Apharsachites are a group mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history. They are referenced in the Book of Ezra, which details the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the subsequent rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

The primary mention of the Apharsachites is found in Ezra 4:9-10. In the Berean Standard Bible, the passage reads:

"From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa (that is, the Elamites), and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates." (Ezra 4:9-10)

In this context, the Apharsachites are listed among the peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts of the Jewish exiles. They were part of a coalition of local leaders and groups who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, expressing their concerns about the potential threat posed by a restored Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Apharsachites, along with other groups mentioned in Ezra 4, were likely part of the diverse population that had been settled in the region of Samaria and surrounding areas by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. These empires had a policy of relocating conquered peoples to prevent rebellion and to promote cultural assimilation. As a result, the land of Israel, particularly the northern kingdom, became a melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures.

The opposition of the Apharsachites and their allies to the rebuilding of the Temple can be understood in light of the political and social dynamics of the time. The return of the Jewish exiles and the re-establishment of Jerusalem as a religious and cultural center posed a potential challenge to the status quo and the influence of local leaders.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Apharsachites highlights the recurring theme of opposition to God's people and His purposes throughout biblical history. Despite the resistance from surrounding nations and peoples, the narrative of Ezra underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. The rebuilding of the Temple, despite opposition, serves as a testament to God's providential care and the perseverance of His people.

The account of the Apharsachites and their opposition also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the faithful in maintaining their identity and mission in a world that is often hostile to the things of God. It calls believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and to remain steadfast in their commitment to His purposes, even in the face of adversity.A company of the colonists whom the Assyrian king planted in Samaria (Ezra 5:6; 6:6). APHARSATHCHITES; APHARSACHITES

af-ar-sath'-kits, a-far'-sak-its ('apharcathkhaye'): A tribe living in Samaria that protested against the rebuilding of the Temple, and brought their complaint to Darius (Ezra 4:9; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 6:6). The tribe has not yet been recognized with any certainty in the inscriptions. Rawlinson identifies them with the Persians; other scholars deny that any Assyrian king was ever so situated as to have been able to obtain colonists from Persia. Some maintain with Marquardt that the term is not the name of a tribe, but the title of certain officers under Darius. Fred. Delitzsch suggests the inhabitants of one of the two great Medean towns "Partakka" and "Partukka" mentioned in Esarhaddon's inscriptions. Andreas plausibly connects it with the Assyrian suparsak (Muss-Arnolt, Assyrian Dict., 1098), saqu (3) "general"; Scheft takes it from an old Iranian word aparasarka, "lesser ruler."

H. J. Wolf

671. Apharckay -- official
... Apharckay. 671a . official. Transliteration: Apharckay Phonetic Spelling:
(af-ar-sek-ah'ee) Short Definition: Apharsachites. Apharsachites, Apharasthchites ...
/hebrew/671.htm - 5kApharsachites (2 Occurrences)
... 6). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APHARSATHCHITES; APHARSACHITES. af ... Wolf.
Multi-Version Concordance Apharsachites (2 Occurrences). Ezra ...
/a/apharsachites.htm - 8k

Tattenai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/t/tattenai.htm - 8k

Tatnai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and
Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side ...
/t/tatnai.htm - 8k

Colleagues (8 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/c/colleagues.htm - 8k

Apharesachites (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/a/apharesachites.htm - 7k

Associates (26 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/a/associates.htm - 14k

Apharsathchites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia APHARSATHCHITES; APHARSACHITES.
af-ar-sath'-kits, a-far'-sak-its ('apharcathkhaye'): A tribe living ...
/a/apharsathchites.htm - 8k

Shetharboznai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and
Shetharboznai and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side ...
/s/shetharboznai.htm - 9k

Shethar-boznai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and
Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were on this side ...
/s/shethar-boznai.htm - 9k

Shethar-bozenai (4 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and
Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the ...
/s/shethar-bozenai.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus