Ezra 4:2
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar–haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Cross-reference
Ezra 4:10 lists the same peoples deported by Ashurbanipal—confirming the origin of the adversaries mentioned in Ezra 4:2.
Ezra 1:5 describes those genuinely raised by God to build; here adversaries claim to seek God, contrasting true and false builders.
Ezra 3:2 shows Zerubbabel and Jeshua leading the altar building, the same leaders approached by adversaries in 4:2.
2 Kings 17:24 records the Assyrian resettlement of foreigners—the exact historical background for the people claiming to seek God in Ezra 4:2.
2 Kings 17:27-33 explains the syncretistic worship of the settlers—revealing why their claim in Ezra 4:2 to seek God is false.
2 Kings 17:41 summarizes how the settlers worshiped God yet served idols—directly exposing the mixed loyalty behind their offer in Ezra 4:2.
Proverbs 26:23-26 describes hypocrites with smooth words hiding wicked hearts, exactly the adversaries' deceptive offer to build.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 warns of false workers disguised as righteous, matching the adversaries who pretend to seek God.
Galatians 2:4 describes false believers infiltrating to spy—mirroring the adversaries' deceptive offer to 'help' build the temple.
2 Peter 2:1 warns of false teachers secretly introducing heresies—parallel to the adversaries' false offer to join the rebuilding.
Isaiah 37:38 directly identifies Esarhaddon as Sennacherib's successor, the king who brought these settlers.
2 Kings 19:37 notes Esarhaddon's succession—the king who, according to Ezra 4:2, brought the settlers; provides historical context.
Nehemiah 12:1 names Zerubbabel as leader of the returnees, the same person addressed here.