Overview
The Tarpelites are identified in Scripture as one of several peoples who wrote a letter of accusation against the Jews rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. These groups, settled in the region of Samaria by Assyrian kings, viewed the Jewish restoration efforts as a threat to their own stability and influence in the province.
Key Scriptures
"Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build. They also bribed officials to frustrate their plans during all the days of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia." (Ezra 4:4-5, NIV)
"The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language. The officials—Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary—wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows... The people being referred to include the Tarpelites..." (Ezra 4:8-9, NIV)
Application
Believers today should recognize that opposition to God's work often comes from those who fear losing their worldly influence, yet God's purposes ultimately prevail.