Ezra 4:14

14 Now since we eat the salt of the palace and the dishonor of the king is not proper for us to see, we send and make [this] known to 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 to the king that the Jews who have come up from near you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the wall and repairing the foundation.

13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute and toll, and the royal revenue will be reduced.

14 Now since we eat the salt of the palace and the dishonor of the king is not proper for us to see, we send and make [this] known to the king,

15 so that it may be investigated in the book of records of your ancestors. You will find in the book of records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and they have rebelled in its midst from ancient times. Because of that this city was destroyed.

16 We make known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, you will have nothing in [the province] Beyond the River."