Ezra 4:12
New International Version
The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.

New Living Translation
“The king should know that the Jews who came here to Jerusalem from Babylon are rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They have already laid the foundation and will soon finish its walls.

English Standard Version
be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.

Berean Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.

King James Bible
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

New King James Version
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations.

New American Standard Bible
let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.

NASB 1995
let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.

NASB 1977
let it be known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.

Legacy Standard Bible
let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are completing the walls and repairing the foundations.

Amplified Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding this rebellious and evil city and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations.

Christian Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.

American Standard Version
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
It shall be known to the King that the Jews who came up from your presence to us came to the rebellious Jerusalem, and are building the evil city, and they have completed its walls and they have set its foundations firmly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from thee to us have come to Jerusalem the rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, and its walls are set in order, and they have established the foundations of it.

Contemporary English Version
You should know that the Jews who left your country have moved back to Jerusalem and are now rebuilding that rebellious city. In fact, they have almost finished rebuilding the walls and repairing the foundations.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Be it known to the king, that the Jews, who came up from thee to us, are come to Jerusalem a rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, setting up the ramparts thereof and repairing the walls.

English Revised Version
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your Majesty, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you are now in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are close to finishing the walls. The foundations are already in place.

Good News Translation
"We want Your Majesty to know that the Jews who came here from your other territories have settled in Jerusalem and are rebuilding that evil and rebellious city. They have begun to rebuild the walls and will soon finish them.

International Standard Version
May the king be advised that the Jews who came from you to us have reached Jerusalem and are rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city, having completed its walls and repaired its foundations.

JPS Tanakh 1917
be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and are digging out the foundations.

Literal Standard Version
be it known to the king, that the Jews who have come up from you to us, have come to Jerusalem, the rebellious and base city they are building, and the walls they have finished, and the foundations they join.

Majority Standard Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.

New American Bible
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived at Jerusalem and are now rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They are completing its walls, and the foundations have already been laid.

NET Bible
Now let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations.

New Revised Standard Version
may it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.

New Heart English Bible
be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and wicked city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came from thee to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the noxious city, and have set up its walls, and joined the foundations.

World English Bible
Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.

Young's Literal Translation
Be it known to the king, that the Jews who have come up from thee unto us, have come in to Jerusalem, the rebellious and base city they are building, and the walls they have finished, and the foundations they join.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
11(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates: 12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations. 13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Ezra 4:11
(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:

Ezra 5:3
At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?"

Ezra 5:9
So we questioned the elders and asked, "Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?"

Esther 3:8
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else's, and they do not obey the king's laws. So it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.

Daniel 3:8
At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews,


Treasury of Scripture

Be it known to the king, that the Jews which came up from you to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

rebellious

Ezra 4:15,19
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…

2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

2 Kings 24:1
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

bad city

Psalm 48:1,2
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness…

Isaiah 1:21-23
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers…

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

set up.

Nehemiah 1:3
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

joined.

Jump to Previous
Bad Bases Building City Complete Digging Evil Finished Finishing Foundations Jerusalem Jews Join Joined Joining News Rebellious Rebuilding Repaired Repairing Thereof Uncontrolled Walls Wicked
Jump to Next
Bad Bases Building City Complete Digging Evil Finished Finishing Foundations Jerusalem Jews Join Joined Joining News Rebellious Rebuilding Repaired Repairing Thereof Uncontrolled Walls Wicked
Ezra 4
1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews,
4. endeavor to hinder it
7. Their letter to Artaxerxes
17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes
23. The building is hindered














(12) Virulence and craft and exaggeration are stamped on every sentence of the letter. It only says, however, that "they are preparing the walls thereof, and joining the foundations." Afterwards, however, the charge is modified in Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16.

Verse 12. - The Jews which came up from thee. i.e. from the central provinces - from that part of the empire where thou dwellest. To us. To our part of the world - to Palestine. Are... building the rebellious and the bad city. The ground of this accusation must be sought in the various revolts of the Jews from the Babylonians recorded in 2 Kings 24, 25. There had been one, or perhaps two, previous revolts from Assyria (2 Kings 18:7; 2 Chronicles 33:11); but of these the Samaritans probably knew nothing. They would, however, be likely to know that before Nebuchadnezzar took the extreme measure of removing the Jews from their own land to Babylon, they had rebelled against him three several times - once under Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:1), once under his son Jehoiachin (ibid. vers. 9, 10), and once under Zedekiah, the last king (ibid. ver. 20). Thus they had a basis of truth on which to ground their charge that Jerusalem was "the rebellious and the bad city." And have set up the walls thereof. It appears very clearly from the book of Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem were not restored till his time, seventy-five years after this. The Samaritans, however, would naturally exaggerate, and call the rebuilding of the temple, and of a certain number of dwelling-houses, a fortifying of the place. The exaggeration, however, is not so great in the Chaldee text as in the Authorized Version. What is said seems to be, that "they are setting up the walls and joining the foundations." That the work was far from complete is admitted in the next verse. We may doubt whether it was really begun.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Let it be
לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

known
יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the Jews
יְהוּדָיֵ֗א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah

who
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

came
סְלִ֙קוּ֙ (sə·li·qū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5559: To ascend

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

you
לְוָתָ֔ךְ (lə·wā·ṯāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3890: Adhesion, with

have returned
אֲת֖וֹ (’ă·ṯōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 858: To arrive

to us
עֲלֶ֥ינָא (‘ă·le·nā)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

at Jerusalem.
לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

And they are rebuilding
תתן־ (bā·na·yin)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1124: To build

that rebellious
מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א (mā·rā·ḏə·tā)
Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4779: Rebellious

and wicked
ובאישתא (ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 873: Wicked

city,
קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

restoring
אשכללו (šaḵ·li·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

its walls,
ושורי (wə·šū·ray·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

and repairing
יַחִֽיטוּ׃ (ya·ḥî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2338: To string together, to repair

its foundations.
וְאֻשַּׁיָּ֖א (wə·’uš·šay·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 787: A foundation


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OT History: Ezra 4:12 Be it known to the king that (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:11
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