Discovery BoxEzra 4:5 
Context4:5 They were hiring advisers to oppose them, so as to frustrate their plans, throughout the time 1 of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius 2 of Persia. 3
Ezra 8:25
Context8:25 and I weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the vessels intended for the temple of our God – items that the king, his advisers, his officials, and all Israel who were present had contributed.
1 tn Heb “all the days of.”
2 sn Darius ruled Persia ca. 522-486
3 sn The purpose of the opening verses of this chapter is to summarize why the Jews returning from the exile were unable to complete the rebuilding of the temple more quickly than they did. The delay was due not to disinterest on their part but to the repeated obstacles that had been placed in their path by determined foes.
