Ezra 4:17-22 Commentary: Artaxerxes' Decree Halts Rebuilding

¹⁷Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings.

¹⁸The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.

¹⁹I 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.

²⁰And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.

²¹Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

²²See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?

¹⁷Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace.

¹⁸The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

¹⁹I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.

²⁰There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.

²¹Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.

²²Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

¹⁷Then 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 unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.

¹⁸The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

¹⁹And 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.

²⁰There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

²¹Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

²²Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

¹⁷Thensent 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 in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.

¹⁸The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

¹⁹And 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.

²⁰There 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.

²¹Make 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.

²²And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

¹⁷An answer hath the king sent unto Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions who are dwelling in Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, `Peace, and at such a time:

¹⁸The letter that ye sent unto us, explained, hath been read before me,

¹⁹and by me a decree hath been made, and they sought, and have found that this city from the days of old against kings is lifting up itself, and rebellion and sedition is made in it,

²⁰and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

²¹`Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.

²²And beware ye of negligence in doing this; why doth the hurt become great to the loss of the kings?'

¹⁷The king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and the other places beyond the river: Peace, and so forth.

¹⁸The letter that ye sent to us has been read before me distinctly.

¹⁹And I gave orders, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city of old time has made insurrection against the kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been raised therein.

²⁰And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the river; and tribute, tax, and toll were paid to them.

²¹Now give order to make these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until the order shall be given from me;

²²and take heed that ye fail not to do this: why should harm grow to the damage of the kings?

¹⁷The king sent word to Reum Beelteem and Samsai the scribe, and to the rest that were in their council, inhabitants of Samaria, and to the rest beyond the river, sending greeting and peace.

¹⁸The accusation, which you have sent to us, hath been plainly read before me,

¹⁹And I commanded: and search hath been made, and it is found, that this city of old time hath rebelled against kings, and seditions and wars have been raised therein.

²⁰For there have been powerful kings in Jerusalem, who have had dominion over all the country that is beyond the river: and have received tribute, and toll and revenues.

²¹Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me.

²²See that you be not negligent in executing this, lest by little and little the evil grow to the hurt of the kings.