“And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.”
The introduction of "And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes" marks the presentation of formal written accusations, indicating sophisticated coordination among opponents and careful documentation of their charges. The naming of specific accusers—Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel—suggests that multiple populations had organized their opposition and designated representatives to present formal complaints to Persian authority. The written letter format indicates that opponents employed the same administrative procedures available to the Persian court, presenting their case in formal bureaucratic channels rather than through informal complaint. The appeal to Artaxerxes suggests that opponents possessed confidence in obtaining favorable consideration from the Persian king, based on previous success in obstructing the restoration project.
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