Original Word: בִּשְׁלָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bishlam
Pronunciation: BISH-lahm
Phonetic Spelling: (bish-lawm')
KJV: Bishlam
NASB: Bishlam
Word Origin: [of foreign derivation]

1. Bishlam, a Persian

Bishlam

Of foreign derivation; Bishlam, a Pers. -- Bishlam.

Word Origin
perhaps from ben and shalom
Definition
perhaps "son of peace," a Pers.
NASB Translation
Bishlam (1).

בִּשְׁלָם proper name, masculine (= בֶּןשְֿׁלָם son of peace? compare below בן) a Persian officer in Canaan Ezra 4:7.

בשׁן (√ of following = smooth, soft? compare Arabic , soft and smooth ground).

Name and Setting

Bishlam is identified in Ezra 4:7 as one of the Persian officials who, during the reign of Artaxerxes, joined with Mithredath and Tabeel to petition the king against the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. His appearance is brief yet strategic, embedded in a list that represents organized, governmental resistance to the returned exiles.

Historical Context within Ezra

Ezra 4 records successive waves of opposition aimed at halting the work of restoring the temple and city. Following the reign of Xerxes (Ezra 4:6), the narrative moves to Artaxerxes, under whom Bishlam and his colleagues dispatched a formal letter. Ezra deliberately telescopes these events to show that opposition was continual from the outset of the return (Ezra 4:24). The imperial bureaucracy—embodied here by Bishlam—proved a formidable obstacle, using legal and diplomatic channels rather than outright warfare to stall the work.

Role in Opposition to the Restoration

The letter coordinated by Bishlam sought to persuade Artaxerxes that Jerusalem, if rebuilt, would become rebellious and refuse tribute (Ezra 4:13). This misrepresentation leveraged historical precedent to cast suspicion on the Jewish community. “So the king issued an order” (Ezra 4:21), and construction ceased. Bishlam’s action demonstrates how political influence and misinformation can hinder God’s people, even while staying within the accepted protocols of the empire.

Theological Implications

1. Spiritual Warfare through Bureaucracy: Bishlam’s campaign illustrates that opposition to God’s purposes can arise in administrative dress. Just as Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), resistance can cloak itself in official paperwork.
2. Divine Timing: Although Bishlam’s letter produced an immediate setback, God later stirred prophets Haggai and Zechariah, and the rebuilding resumed under King Darius (Ezra 5:1–2). The account affirms that earthly decrees are subordinate to divine sovereignty (Proverbs 21:1).
3. Irony of a Name: Though Bishlam’s name evokes the concept of well-being, his actions promote discord. Scripture often highlights such ironies (for example, Absalom, “father of peace,” inciting rebellion in 2 Samuel 15). This contrast underscores that true peace is aligned with obedience to God’s redemptive plan.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Expect Opposition: Churches and ministries should not be surprised when secular structures challenge biblical initiatives (Acts 4:18–20).
• Maintain Integrity: The Jews’ response was not violent retaliation but patient perseverance and appeal to lawful authority (Ezra 5:5–17). Likewise, believers are called to respect governing authorities while remaining faithful (Romans 13:1; Acts 5:29).
• Rely on Prophetic Encouragement: The prophetic word energized the people after Bishlam’s success in stopping the work. Modern ministry likewise needs Scripture’s encouragement to outlast periods of suspension or hardship (Hebrews 10:36).

Related Biblical Themes

Rebuilding (Nehemiah 2:17), opposition to worship (Daniel 6:7–9), perseverance in good works (Galatians 6:9), the sovereignty of God over kings (Daniel 2:21).

Summary

Though only a minor figure, Bishlam typifies the calculated, administrative resistance that can arise against God’s purposes. His brief mention in Ezra underscores the reality of persistent opposition but ultimately magnifies the triumph of God’s plan, which advances in God’s timing despite official decrees to the contrary.

בִּשְׁלָ֜ם בשלם biš·lām bishLam bišlāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts