Ezra 4:14

14 Now because we are salted with the salt of the palace, and it is not just unto us to see the king’s dishonour; therefore, we have sent to make this known unto the king,

Ezra 4:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:14

Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace
Have posts under the king, to which salaries were annexed, by which they were supported, and which they had from the king's exchequer; or "salt" ^F15, as in the original, some places of honour and trust formerly being paid in salt; hence, as Pliny ^F16 observes, such honours and rewards were called "salaries":

and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour;
to see any thing done injurious to his crown and dignity, to his honour and revenues, when we are supported by him; this would be ungrateful as well as unjust:

therefore have we sent and certified the king;
of the truth of what is before related; and, for the further confirmation of it, refer him to the ancient records of the kingdom, as follows.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (xlm) "salem vel sale", Montanus, Vatablus, Michaelis.
F16 Nat. Hist. l. 31. c. 7.

Ezra 4:14 In-Context

12 Be it known unto the king that the Jews who came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have founded the walls thereof and joined the foundations.

13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city is rebuilt, and the walls founded, they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so the revenue of the kings shall be reduced.

14 Now because we are salted with the salt of the palace, and it is not just unto us to see the king’s dishonour; therefore, we have sent to make this known unto the king,

15 that search may be made in the book of the records of our 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 from old time they form rebellions in the midst of her, for which cause this city was destroyed.

16 We notify the king that if this city is built again, and its walls founded, the portion on the other side of the river shall no longer be yours.