Ezra 4:21

21 Now therefore make a decree to stop the work of those men, and that city shall no more be built.

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 a decree has been made by me, and we have examined, and found that city of old time exalts itself against kings, and that rebellions and desertions take place within it.

20 And there were powerful kings in Jerusalem, and they ruled over all the beyond the river, and abundant revenues and tribute were given to them.

21 Now therefore make a decree to stop the work of those men, and that city shall no more be built.

22 that ye be careful of the decree, to be remiss concerning this matter, lest at any time destruction should abound to the harm of kings.

23 Then the tribute-gatherer of king Arthasastha read before Reum the chancellor, and Sampsa the scribe, and his fellow-servants: and they went in haste to Jerusalem and through Juda, and caused them to cease with horses and an force.