Ezra 4:13
13
Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.a
Read Ezra 4:13 Using Other Translations
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired.
And the king should know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, it will be much to your disadvantage, for the Jews will then refuse to pay their tribute, customs, and tolls to you.
What does Ezra 4:13 mean?
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
Ezra 4:13
Be it known now unto the king
And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him and his
counsellors:
that if this city be builded, and its walls set up again,
then will
they not pay toll, tribute, and custom;
being able to defend themselves against the king's forces, sent
to reduce them to their obedience; these three words take in all
sorts of taxes and levies on persons, goods, and merchandise:
and so thou shall endamage the revenue of the
kings;
not only his own, but his successors';
this they thought would be a very striking and powerful
argument with
him.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
(New International Version Bible Online)
