Keraia
Ezra 4

Ezra 4:15

Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes · Ezra 4:6–16
Read Ezra 4

Translations

Modern
…that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
Traditional
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
Literal
…that he may search in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records, and you will know that this city is a rebellious city, causing loss to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city from the days of old. On account of this was this city destroyed.
Latin
…ut recenseas in libris historiarum patrum tuorum, et invenies scriptum in commentariis: et scies quoniam urbs illa, urbs rebellis est, et nocens regibus et provinciis, et bella concitantur in ea ex diebus antiquis: quam ob rem et civitas ipsa destructa est.

Original

Hebrew
English
…that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

Notes

Ezra 4:15–16

  • The Persians had access to Babylonian records, which described Jerusalem’s revolts against Nebuchadnezzar (see 2 Kings 24:1–7).

  • The claim that the Persians would lose the entire province west of the Euphrates was an exaggeration. The Jews were actually a small minority in that province.

Ezra 4:11–22

Ezra contains a copy in Aramaic of the letter sent to Artaxerxes and his response.

Ezra 4:6–23

These verses discuss later opposition to Jewish rebuilding efforts. They actually relate to events during the reign of:

  • Xerxes in 486 to 465 BC

  • Artaxerxes I in 465 to 424 BC

However, they are included here because they match the theme of opposition. Chronologically, Ezra 4:6 fits between chapters 6 and 7, while 4:7–23 fits before Nehemiah 1.

Theme notes and profiles

Zerubbabel

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Aramaic Archevites Artaxerxes Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Darius First Book of Esdras Postexilic Period Rehum Samaritans Temple

Topics

Artaxerxes: A Persian King Probably Identical with Ahasuerus: Prohibits the Rebuilding of Jerusalem Bishlam: A Samaritan Who Obstructed the Rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem Books: Important Events Recorded In False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jews, Returned Under Ezra Persia: Artaxerxes I Slander: Enemies of the Jews the Second Temple: The Samaritans: Wrote to Artaxerxes Smerdis to Interrupt the Building