Tarpelite

The Tarpelites are mentioned in Ezra 4:9 as one of the groups that opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple during the time of Ezra. They are listed among the officials who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes of Persia, accusing the Jews of rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city.

The verse states, "Then wrote Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa (that is, the Elamites)." The Tarpelites are included in this list of officials and ethnic groups from various parts of the Persian Empire.

The exact identity and role of the Tarpelites are not specified in the biblical text. Some scholars suggest that they may have been a specific group of officials or administrators within the Persian bureaucracy, possibly associated with a particular region or ethnic group.

The opposition of the Tarpelites and other officials to the rebuilding of Jerusalem reflects the political and social challenges faced by the Jewish community as they sought to reestablish their presence in the land after the Babylonian exile. The letter sent by these officials aimed to halt the reconstruction efforts by appealing to the Persian king's concerns about potential rebellion and the loss of tax revenue.

The mention of the Tarpelites in Ezra 4 highlights the complex political landscape of the Persian Empire and the various groups and interests that shaped the experiences of the Jewish community during this period of restoration and rebuilding.