Ezra 4:8 - Exposition

Rehum the chancellor. Literally, "the lord of judgment." It may be conjectured that Rehum was the sub-satrap ( ὑποσατράπης , Xen.), of the province of Samaria. And Shimshai the scribe. Or "secretary." Herodotus tells us that in every Persian province the governor had a secretary attached to him, who was appointed by the crown, and acted as a check upon his nominal master (Herod; 3:128). The position assigned to Shim-shai in this chapter (see especially Ezra 4:9 , Ezra 4:17 , Ezra 4:23 ) is such as might be expected under these circumstances.