Ezra 4:21

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

Ezra 4:21 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:21

Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease
From building:

and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be
given from me;
he might suspect that this case, in all its circumstances, was not truly stated, and that hereafter he might see reason to recede from the present orders he gave; and the rather, as by searching, and perhaps on his own knowledge, must have observed, that his father Cyrus had shown favour to the Jews, and had not only set them at liberty, but had encouraged them to rebuild their temple; which might be what they were about, and was the case, and nothing else, except their houses to dwell in.

Ezra 4:21 In-Context

19 And 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.

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

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

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

23 As soon as the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them cease by force and power.