Ezra 4:19

19 "A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

Ezra 4:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:19

And I commanded, and search hath been made
In the records of his predecessors, whether Chaldeans or Persians:

and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection
against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein:
and yet this could not be carried higher than to the times of Zedekiah and Jehoiakim, as before observed, which was not one hundred years ago, unless the rebellion of Hezekiah against the king of Assyria could be thought to be in these records, ( 2 Kings 18:7 ) , and yet from hence it is concluded as if in ages past they had been guilty of rebellion and sedition, and even always.

Ezra 4:19 In-Context

17 Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the commander , to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the River: "Peace. And now

18 the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me.

19 "A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

20 that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them.

21 "So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "put" forth