Ezra 4:17-24
New English Translation
17 The king sent the following response:
“To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and other parts of Trans-Euphrates: Greetings![a] 18 The letter you sent to us has been translated and read in my presence. 19 So I gave orders,[b] and it was determined[c] that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in[d] rebellion and revolt. 20 Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates[e] and who were the beneficiaries of[f] tribute, custom, and toll. 21 Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct.[g] 22 Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that the king sustains damage?”
23 Then, as soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read in the presence of Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they proceeded promptly to the Jews in Jerusalem[h] and stopped them with threat of armed force.[i]
24 So the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem came to a halt. It remained halted until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.[j]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezra 4:17 tn Aram “peace.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “from me was placed a decree.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “and they searched and found.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “are being done.”
- Ezra 4:20 sn The statement that prior Jewish kings ruled over the entire Trans-Euphrates is an overstatement. Not even in the days of David and Solomon did the kingdom of Israel extend its borders to such an extent.
- Ezra 4:20 tn Aram “were being given to them.”
- Ezra 4:21 tn Aram “until a command is issued from me.”
- Ezra 4:23 tn Aram “to Jerusalem against the Jews.”
- Ezra 4:23 tn Aram “by force and power,” a hendiadys.
- Ezra 4:24 sn Darius I Hystaspes ruled Persia ca. 522-486 b.c.
Ezra 4:17-24
American Standard Version
17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and [a]in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace, and so forth. 18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been [b]plainly read before me. 19 And I decreed, 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. 20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them. 21 Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me. 22 And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. 24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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