Original Word: בְּטֵל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: btel
Pronunciation: beh'-tel
Phonetic Spelling: (bet-ale')
KJV: (cause, make to), cease, hinder
NASB: stop, stopped, ceased, delay
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H988 (בָּטֵל - stand idle)]

1. to stop

cause, make to, cease, hinder

(Aramaic) corresponding to batel; to stop -- (cause, make to), cease, hinder.

see HEBREW batel

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to batal
Definition
to cease
NASB Translation
ceased (1), delay (1), stop (2), stopped (2).

Concept of Cessation and Interruption

The verb בְּטֵל portrays the deliberate halting or suspension of an activity already underway. In the Book of Ezra it is always directed toward the rebuilding of the temple or, by extension, any covenant work meant to restore the worship life of God’s people. The word therefore carries the nuance of hostile interference with divine purposes, a break in momentum that threatens covenant faithfulness.

Occurrences in the Book of Ezra

1. Ezra 4:21 – Artaxerxes orders, “Therefore, issue an order for these men to cease work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.”
2. Ezra 4:23 – Local officials “compelled them by force to stop.”
3. Ezra 4:24 (twice) – “Thus, the work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was suspended until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.”
4. Ezra 5:5 – Adversaries “could not stop them until a report could go to Darius.”
5. Ezra 6:8 – Darius commands Persian governors to fund the work “so that the work will not stop.”

Historical Backdrop: Persian Policy and Judah’s Adversaries

The exile had officially ended under Cyrus, who authorized temple reconstruction (Ezra 1:1-4). Yet the resettled community faced entrenched regional hostility. The adversaries’ repeated appeals to the Persian throne exploited imperial fears of rebellion. With Artaxerxes’ injunction, construction halted roughly fifteen years (ca. 536–520 B.C.). In that period the people grew discouraged, focusing on personal dwellings (Haggai 1:4). When prophets Haggai and Zechariah rekindled zeal, local opposition sought once more to “cause them to cease” (Ezra 5:5), but Darius’ subsequent decree reversed the obstruction.

Theological Insights

1. Sovereign oversight: “The eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews” (Ezra 5:5). Divine providence limits the duration and power of any human attempt to frustrate His redemptive plan.
2. Testing of faithfulness: The delay exposed whether the returnees valued God’s house above personal comfort. Their eventual repentance under prophetic preaching shows that temporary cessation can refine covenant commitment.
3. Reversal of enemy decrees: What earthly authority halts, heavenly authority restarts. Darius’ order (“so that the work will not stop,” Ezra 6:8) illustrates how God can turn imperial resources to advance kingdom purposes.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

• Expect opposition. Kingdom projects—whether church planting, evangelism, or acts of mercy—inevitably draw attempts to “cause them to cease.”
• Persevere under pause. Apparent stalls are opportunities for renewed dependence, corporate repentance, and prophetic encouragement.
• Pray for governing favor. Ezra’s narrative legitimizes petitions that civil leaders remove hindrances to gospel work (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
• Guard against self-mediated delays. Personal priorities can prolong a work God never intended to remain dormant (Haggai 1:2-8).

New Testament Echoes

Acts 5:28-29 records Sanhedrin warnings “to stop teaching in this name,” yet Peter insists, “We must obey God rather than men.” The early church, like the returnees, faced commands to halt covenant work but pressed on under the Spirit’s empowerment. Paul likewise urges steadfastness: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 989 illustrates how hostile commands to “cease” cannot nullify the purposes of God. While opposition may suspend outward activity, the Lord uses such intervals to deepen faith, raise up prophetic voices, and ultimately advance His plan with even greater clarity and provision.

בְּטֵלַת֙ בַטִּ֣לוּ בָּֽטְלָ֔א בטלא בטלו בטלת וּבַטִּ֥לוּ ובטלו לְבַטָּלָ֖א לְבַטָּלָֽא׃ לבטלא לבטלא׃ bā·ṭə·lā ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū bateLa bāṭəlā ḇaṭṭilū bə·ṭê·laṯ beteLat bəṭêlaṯ lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā ləḇaṭṭālā levattaLa ū·ḇaṭ·ṭi·lū ūḇaṭṭilū uvatTilu vatTiluInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts