The Apharsites are mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period of Israel's history, specifically during the time of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. They are listed among the groups of people who opposed the rebuilding efforts led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The term "Apharsites" is found in the book of Ezra, which provides insight into the challenges faced by the returning Jewish exiles.

Scriptural Reference:

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

In this passage, the Apharsites are mentioned as part of a coalition of peoples who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, expressing their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The letter was intended to halt the construction efforts by accusing the Jews of planning rebellion against the king. The Apharsites, along with other groups, were concerned about the potential rise of Jerusalem as a fortified city, which they perceived as a threat to their own political and economic interests in the region.

The mention of the Apharsites in Ezra highlights the complex political landscape of the time, where various ethnic groups and local leaders had vested interests in maintaining the status quo. The opposition from the Apharsites and their allies temporarily succeeded in stopping the rebuilding work, as King Artaxerxes ordered the construction to cease until further notice.

The identity of the Apharsites is not extensively detailed in the biblical text, and their specific origins and characteristics remain somewhat obscure. However, their inclusion in the narrative of Ezra underscores the broader theme of opposition faced by the Jewish exiles as they sought to restore their religious and cultural heritage in the land of their ancestors.Ezra 4:9
Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,
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2 Kings 17:1
In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
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