Ezra 4:19

Translations

Modern

I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

Traditional

And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

Literal

And I made a decree, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

Latin

…et a me præceptum est: et recensuerunt, inveneruntque quoniam civitas illa a diebus antiquis adversum reges rebellat, et seditiones, et prælia concitantur in ea:

Original

Hebrew

English

I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

Notes

Ezra 4:19–20

King Jehoiakim, who ruled from 609 to 598 BC, rebelled against Babylon around 601 BC. King Zedekiah, ruling from 597 to 586 BC, rebelled around 588 BC (see 2 Kings 25:2).

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

Related verses

Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
2 Kings 18:7
And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.
2 Kings 24:20
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Deuteronomy 13:14
…then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,
Ezra 5:17–6:2
Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
Ezekiel 17:13–19
He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land,
Ezra 4:15
…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.

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Aramaic 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 Persia: Artaxerxes I

Ezra 4:19

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