Who was Bishlam in the Bible?

Bishlam was a Samaritan official during the time of the Persian Empire. He is mentioned as one of the men who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes to oppose the Jews' efforts to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 4:7).

Why did Bishlam oppose rebuilding Jerusalem?

Bishlam and his associates opposed the rebuilding to maintain their own political power and influence in the region. Their letter falsely accused the Jews of rebellion, which successfully halted the construction work (Ezra 4:11-24).

What is the significance of Bishlam's story?

Bishlam's actions represent the persistent opposition God's people faced in restoring their worship. His story highlights how human opposition, though temporarily successful, cannot ultimately thwart God's plans for His people.

Bishlam

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMale

Bishlam was a Samaritan official who, along with others, wrote to King Artaxerxes to oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Bishlam

Biography

Bishlam was a Samaritan official active during the reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC). He is named first among the trio, alongside Mithredath and Tabeel, who composed a letter of accusation against the Jewish community in Jerusalem, urging the king to halt the rebuilding of the city (Ezra 4:7). The letter, written in Aramaic, appealed to Artaxerxes's political fears, warning that a rebuilt Jerusalem would become a rebellious city that would refuse to pay taxes and tribute. The king, persuaded by this argument, issued a decree suspending construction. Bishlam's exact role or title is not specified, but his position as lead signatory suggests he held regional administrative authority in the satrapy of Beyond the River under Persian oversight.

Significance

Bishlam's opposition to Jerusalem's rebuilding represents a recurring pattern in the restoration narratives of Ezra and Nehemiah: the hostility of surrounding peoples to the reestablishment of God's covenant community. Theologically, this opposition functions as a test of the returned community's faith and perseverance. The temporary halt to construction that Bishlam's letter achieved (Ezra 4:24) was ultimately overcome through prophetic encouragement (Haggai; Zechariah) and a new royal decree under Darius. God's redemptive purposes cannot be permanently frustrated by political opposition. Bishlam's role as antagonist thus paradoxically serves the narrative of divine sovereignty: even the machinations of enemies are woven into the story of God's faithfulness to his people and his holy city.

Verse Appearances (1)

Ezra

Ezra 4:7

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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