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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 4:18 The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/15_Ezr_04_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:18 - The Decree of Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezra/4-17.htm" title="Ezra 4:17">◄</a> Ezra 4:18 <a href="/ezra/4-19.htm" title="Ezra 4:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezra/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The letter you sent has been translated and read to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the letter that you sent to us has been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />the document which you sent to us has been translated <i>and</i> read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />the document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />the document which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The document which you sent to us has been translated and read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezra/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After your letter was translated and read to me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The letter you sent me has been read word for word in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"The letter which you sent has been translated and read to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The memorandum you sent to us has been read and carefully considered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The letter you sent to us has been translated and read in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The letter which ye sent to us hath been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The letter that you sent to us, explained, has been read before me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The letter that ye sent unto us, explained, hath been read before me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The epistle that ye sent to us being read distinctly before me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The accusation, which you have sent to us, hath been plainly read before me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“The accusation, which you have sent to us, has been read aloud before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The communication which you sent us has been read in translation in my presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the letter that you sent to us has been read in translation before me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When the letter which you sent to us arrived it was plainly read before me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when the letter that you sent to me arrived, truly they read it before me, and a decree was appointed before me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />the letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The tribute-gatherer whom ye sent to us, has been called before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/4-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=992" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">The Decree of Artaxerxes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17</span>Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5407.htm" title="5407: niš·tə·wā·nā (N-msd) -- A letter. (Aramaic) corresponding to nishtvan.">The letter</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7972.htm" title="7972: šə·laḥ·tūn (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To send. (Aramaic) corresponding to shalach.">you sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/5922.htm" title="5922: ‘ă·le·nā (Prep:: 1cp) -- Upon, over, above. (Aramaic) corresponding to al.">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/6568.htm" title="6568: mə·p̄ā·raš (V-Piel-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To make distinct. (Aramaic) corresponding to parash; to specify.">has been translated</a> <a href="/hebrew/7123.htm" title="7123: qĕ·rî (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To call, read out or aloud. (Aramaic) corresponding to qara'.">and read</a> <a href="/hebrew/6925.htm" title="6925: qā·ḏā·māy (Prep:: 1cs) -- Before. (Aramaic) or qdam (Aramaic) (Daniel 7:13); corresponding to qedem; before.">in my presence.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Nehemiah 2:7-9</a></span><br />I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-6.htm">Daniel 6:6-9</a></span><br />So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! / All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions. / Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Esther 3:12-14</a></span><br />On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. / A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-1.htm">2 Chronicles 30:1-6</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-8.htm">1 Kings 21:8-11</a></span><br />Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-25.htm">Acts 23:25-30</a></span><br />And he wrote the following letter: / Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. / This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23-29</a></span><br />and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. / It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said. / So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/8-8.htm">Esther 8:8-10</a></span><br />Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.” / At once the royal scribes were summoned, and on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan), they recorded all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush—writing to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. / Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14</a></span><br />So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-1.htm">Jeremiah 29:1-3</a></span><br />This is the text of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the others Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / (This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had been exiled from Jerusalem.) / The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It stated:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-26.htm">Acts 25:26-27</a></span><br />I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write. / For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-1.htm">Luke 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. / This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. / And everyone went to his own town to register.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-37.htm">Matthew 27:37</a></span><br />Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/13-5.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-8.htm">Distinctly</a> <a href="/daniel/6-9.htm">Document</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-2.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/ezra/4-11.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-16.htm">Plainly</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-24.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-30.htm">Read</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-29.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Translated</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/7-24.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-8.htm">Distinctly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-38.htm">Document</a> <a href="/daniel/2-17.htm">Explained</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-4.htm">Plainly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Read</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-8.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/matthew/1-23.htm">Translated</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">endeavor to hinder it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Their letter to Artaxerxes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">The answer and decree of Artaxerxes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">The building is hindered</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The letter you sent us</b><br>This phrase refers to the correspondence sent by the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin to King Artaxerxes, expressing their opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. In the historical context, letters were a primary means of communication between distant regions and rulers. The use of written communication highlights the bureaucratic nature of the Persian Empire, which maintained control over its vast territories through such documentation. This letter is part of a series of exchanges that reflect the political tensions surrounding the rebuilding efforts after the Babylonian exile.<p><b>has been translated</b><br>The need for translation indicates the linguistic diversity of the Persian Empire, which included many different peoples and languages. Aramaic was commonly used as a lingua franca in the empire, and it is likely that the original letter was written in this language. The translation process underscores the administrative complexity of the empire and the importance of accurate communication in governance. This also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's work transcending language barriers, as seen in the New Testament with the spread of the Gospel to all nations.<p><b>and read in my presence</b><br>The phrase suggests that the letter was given significant attention by King Artaxerxes, who personally reviewed its contents. This indicates the seriousness with which the Persian administration regarded the situation in Jerusalem. The act of reading the letter in the king's presence also implies a formal and official response was forthcoming. In a broader biblical context, the reading of important documents in the presence of leaders is a recurring theme, as seen in the public reading of the Law in the Old Testament, emphasizing the authority and accountability of leadership.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezra.htm">Ezra</a></b><br>A scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He is known for his dedication to the Law of God and his role in the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/artaxerxes.htm">Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king during the time of Ezra. He received the letter from the adversaries of Judah and Jerusalem, which led to the halting of the rebuilding efforts.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/adversaries_of_judah_and_benjamin.htm">Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin</a></b><br>These were the people who opposed the rebuilding of the temple and the city of Jerusalem. They wrote to King Artaxerxes to stop the work.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city central to Jewish identity and worship, which was in the process of being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_letter.htm">The Letter</a></b><br>A document sent by the adversaries to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of rebellion and seeking to halt the reconstruction efforts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/opposition_to_god's_work.htm">Opposition to God's Work</a></b><br>Opposition is a common experience for those who seek to do God's will. Just as the Jews faced resistance, believers today may encounter challenges when pursuing God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer_and_perseverance.htm">The Power of Prayer and Perseverance</a></b><br>Despite opposition, the Jews continued to seek God's guidance and strength. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in prayer and perseverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Ezra's leadership was crucial in navigating the challenges faced by the Jews. Godly leadership is essential in guiding communities through adversity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>The letter was read and translated, indicating the need for careful examination and discernment of information. Believers should seek wisdom and understanding in all matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human opposition, God's plans ultimately prevail. Trusting in His sovereignty provides peace and assurance in the face of trials.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'cast_your_bread_upon_waters'.htm">What languages was the Bible originally written in?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezra_4_6-7_conflict_with_persian_timelines.htm">Does Ezra 4:6's reference to Xerxes followed immediately by Artaxerxes in verse 7 create a chronological problem with established Persian timelines?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_blame_locals,_not_persian_policy,_in_ezra.htm">In Ezra 4:23-24, how can the abrupt cessation of the rebuilding project be fully attributed to local opposition without considering wider Persian imperial policy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_133's_unity_fit_ot_conflicts.htm">How does Psalm 133's ideal of unity reconcile with the frequent internal conflicts depicted elsewhere in the Old Testament?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - The <span class="cmt_word">letter hath been plainly</span> <span class="cmt_word">read before me</span>. Despatches are read <span class="accented">to</span>, not <span class="accented">by</span>, Oriental sovereigns, who have often no literary education. (Compare <a href="/esther/6-1.htm">Esther 6:1</a>.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The letter</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕א</span> <span class="translit">(niš·tə·wā·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5407.htm">Strong's 5407: </a> </span><span class="str2">An epistle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you sent</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן</span> <span class="translit">(šə·laḥ·tūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7972.htm">Strong's 7972: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֶ֑ינָא</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·le·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5922.htm">Strong's 5922: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been translated</span><br /><span class="heb">מְפָרַ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·p̄ā·raš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6568.htm">Strong's 6568: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make distinct</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and read</span><br /><span class="heb">קֱרִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(qĕ·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7123.htm">Strong's 7123: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, read out or aloud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my presence.</span><br /><span class="heb">קָדָמָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ḏā·māy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6925.htm">Strong's 6925: </a> </span><span class="str2">Before</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/4-18.htm">Ezra 4:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/4-18.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:18 The letter which you sent to us (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>