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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 4:12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/15_Ezr_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:12 - Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. 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They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> “The king should know that the Jews who came here to Jerusalem from Babylon are rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They have already laid the foundation and will soon finish its walls. <a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations. <a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. <a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> let it be known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are completing the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding this rebellious and evil city and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations. <a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations. <a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations. <a href="/cev/ezra/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You should know that the Jews who left your country have moved back to Jerusalem and are now rebuilding that rebellious city. In fact, they have almost finished rebuilding the walls and repairing the foundations. <a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations. <a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Your Majesty, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you are now in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are close to finishing the walls. The foundations are already in place. <a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> "We want Your Majesty to know that the Jews who came here from your other territories have settled in Jerusalem and are rebuilding that evil and rebellious city. They have begun to rebuild the walls and will soon finish them. <a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> May the king be advised that the Jews who came from you to us have reached Jerusalem and are rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city, having completed its walls and repaired its foundations. <a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations. <a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Now let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations. <a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and wicked city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations. <a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came from thee to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the noxious city, and have set up its walls, and joined the foundations. <a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> be it known to the king, that the Jews who have come up from you to us, have come to Jerusalem, the rebellious and base city they are building, and the walls they have finished, and the foundations they join. <a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Be it known to the king, that the Jews who have come up from thee unto us, have come in to Jerusalem, the rebellious and base city they are building, and the walls they have finished, and the foundations they join. <a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> To be known to the king that the Jews who went up from with thee to us, came to Jerusalem, building the perverse and bad city, and they completed its wall, and they will repair its foundations.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Be it known to the king, that the Jews, who came up from thee to us, are come to Jerusalem a rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, setting up the ramparts thereof and repairing the walls. <a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Let it be known to the king, that the Jews, who ascended from you to us, have arrived in Jerusalem, a rebellious and most wicked city, which they are building, constructing its ramparts and repairing the walls. <a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived at Jerusalem and are now rebuilding this rebellious and evil city. They are completing its walls, and the foundations have already been laid. <a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> may it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem and they are building the rebellious and wicked city, and have completed its walls and dug out its foundations. <a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> It shall be known to the King that the Jews who came up from your presence to us came to the rebellious Jerusalem, and are building the evil city, and they have completed its walls and they have set its foundations firmly.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and are digging out the foundations. <a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from thee to us have come to Jerusalem the rebellious and wicked city, which they are building, and its walls are set in order, and they have established the foundations of it. <a href="/parallel/ezra/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=910" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes</a> …11(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates: 12<a href="/hebrew/1934.htm" title="1934: le·hĕ·wê (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To become, come to pass, be. ">Let it be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3046.htm" title="3046: yə·ḏî·a‘ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To know. (Aramaic) corresponding to yada'.">known</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: lə·mal·kā (Prep-l:: N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">to the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3062.htm" title="3062: yə·hū·ḏā·yê (N-proper-ms) -- An inhab. of Judah. (Aramaic) patrial from Yhuwd; a Jehudaite (or Judaite), i.e. Jew.">the Jews</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5559.htm" title="5559: sə·li·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3mp) -- To ascend. (Aramaic) a primitive root; to ascend.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/4481.htm" title="4481: min- (Prep) -- From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than. (Aramaic) corresponding to min.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3890.htm" title="3890: lə·wā·ṯāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, at, beside. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to lavah; properly, adhesion, i.e. (as preposition) with.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5922.htm" title="5922: ‘ă·le·nā (Prep:: 1cp) -- Upon, over, above. (Aramaic) corresponding to al.">to us</a> <a href="/hebrew/858.htm" title="858: ’ă·ṯōw (V-Qal-Perf-3mp) -- To come. (Aramaic) or wathaw (Aramaic); corresponding to 'athah.">have returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3390.htm" title="3390: lî·rū·šə·lem (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- The capital city of all Isr. (Chald).">to Jerusalem.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1124.htm" title="1124: bā·na·yin (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To build. (Aramaic) or bnah (Aramaic); corresponding to banah; to build.">And they are rebuilding</a> <a href="/hebrew/4779.htm" title="4779: mā·rā·ḏə·tā (Adj-fsd) -- Rebellious. (Aramaic) from the same as mrad; rebellious.">that rebellious</a> <a href="/hebrew/873.htm" title="873: ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tå̄ (Adj-fsd) -- Bad. (Aramaic) from b'esh; wicked.">and wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/7149.htm" title="7149: qir·yə·ṯā (N-fsd) -- A city. (Aramaic) or qiryah (Aramaic); corresponding to qiryah.">city,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3635.htm" title="3635: ʾă·šaḵ·lə·lū (V-Pual-Perf-3mp) -- To complete. (Aramaic) corresponding to kalal; to complete.">restoring</a> <a href="/hebrew/7792.htm" title="7792: wə·šū·ray·yå̄ (Conj-w:: N-mpd) -- A wall. (Aramaic) corresponding to shuwr.">its walls,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2338.htm" title="2338: ya·ḥî·ṭū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- (Aramaic) corresponding to the root of chuwt, perhaps as a denominative; to string together, i.e. (figuratively) to repair.">and repairing</a> <a href="/hebrew/787.htm" title="787: wə·’uš·šay·yā (Conj-w:: N-mpd) -- A foundation. (Aramaic) corresponding (by transposition and abbreviation) to 'ashuwyah; a foundation.">its foundations.</a> 13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a> But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.” <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1-3</a> Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” <a href="/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5-9</a> The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ... <a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-5</a> Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8</a> Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. <a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">2 Kings 17:24-26</a> Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” <a href="/2_kings/17-33.htm">2 Kings 17:33-34</a> They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. / To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. <a href="/2_kings/17-41.htm">2 Kings 17:41</a> So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm">2 Chronicles 36:23</a> “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” <a href="/jeremiah/29-5.htm">Jeremiah 29:5-7</a> “Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. / Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. / Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.” <a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Acts 24:5-6</a> We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Acts 17:6-7</a> But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” <a href="/acts/6-13.htm">Acts 6:13-14</a> where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” <a href="/matthew/27-63.htm">Matthew 27:63-64</a> “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ / So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.” <a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Luke 23:2</a> And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Be it known to the king, that the Jews which came up from you to us are come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.rebellious<a href="/ezra/4-15.htm">Ezra 4:15,19</a> That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed… <a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">2 Kings 18:20</a> Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?<a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">2 Kings 24:1</a> In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.bad city<a href="/psalms/48-1.htm">Psalm 48:1,2</a> A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness… <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21-23</a> How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers… <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a> O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!set up.<a href="/nehemiah/1-3.htm">Nehemiah 1:3</a> And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.<a href="/daniel/9-25.htm">Daniel 9:25</a> Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.joined.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/18-17.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/ezra/3-3.htm">Bases</a> <a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezra/4-10.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-21.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/mark/2-4.htm">Digging</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-7.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-1.htm">Finishing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-3.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/ezra/4-8.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-18.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-35.htm">Join</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-22.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-11.htm">Joining</a> <a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-30.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-27.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-10.htm">Repaired</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-10.htm">Repairing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-19.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-3.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-6.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-7.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Bases</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Digging</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-23.htm">Finishing</a> <a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Foundations</a> <a href="/ezra/4-20.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Join</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-29.htm">Joining</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-2.htm">News</a> <a href="/ezra/4-15.htm">Rebellious</a> <a href="/ezra/5-11.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-4.htm">Repaired</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Repairing</a> <a href="/ezra/4-16.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/job/6-3.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-35.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 4</div>1. <a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, </a> 4. <a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">endeavor to hinder it</a> 7. <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Their letter to Artaxerxes</a> 17. <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">The answer and decree of Artaxerxes</a> 23. <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">The building is hindered</a> </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'; 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In the ancient Near East, such communications were common for maintaining control over vast empires. The phrase suggests an appeal to authority, seeking intervention from the king.that the Jews who came from you to us This refers to the Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity. The return was sanctioned by previous Persian rulers, such as Cyrus the Great, who issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple (<a href="/ezra/1.htm">Ezra 1:1-4</a>). The phrase highlights the connection between the Persian authority and the Jewish returnees.have returned to Jerusalem Jerusalem, the central city of Jewish worship and identity, had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The return to Jerusalem was significant for the Jewish people, fulfilling prophecies such as those in <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a>, which spoke of restoration after exile.and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city This accusation reflects the perspective of the surrounding peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts. Historically, Jerusalem had been a center of resistance against foreign powers, including the Babylonians and Assyrians. The terms "rebellious" and "wicked" are likely intended to provoke fear in the king, suggesting potential insurrection.They are restoring its walls The restoration of the walls was crucial for the security and autonomy of Jerusalem. Walls symbolized strength and protection, and their reconstruction was a significant step in re-establishing the city. Nehemiah later played a key role in this effort (<a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Nehemiah 2:17-18</a>).and repairing its foundations Repairing the foundations indicates a comprehensive rebuilding effort, not just superficial repairs. This can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal, as the physical restoration of Jerusalem paralleled the spiritual revival of the Jewish people. The foundations also symbolize the enduring promises of God to His people, as seen in prophecies like <a href="/isaiah/58-12.htm">Isaiah 58:12</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_jews.htm">The Jews</a> The returning exiles from Babylon who are rebuilding Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city being rebuilt, historically significant as the center of Jewish worship and identity. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a> Refers to Artaxerxes, the Persian king to whom the letter is addressed. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_adversaries.htm">The Adversaries</a> Local officials and peoples who opposed the rebuilding efforts, viewing Jerusalem as a threat. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_rebuilding_effort.htm">The Rebuilding Effort</a> The process of restoring Jerusalem's walls and foundations, symbolizing the restoration of the Jewish community and worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/opposition_to_god's_work.htm">Opposition to God's Work</a> Expect resistance when undertaking God's work. The adversaries in <a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Ezra 4</a> remind us that spiritual endeavors often face opposition. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a> The Jews' commitment to rebuilding despite opposition teaches us the importance of perseverance in our faith journeys. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a> The collective effort to rebuild Jerusalem underscores the power of community in achieving God's purposes. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_restoration.htm">God's Sovereignty in Restoration</a> The rebuilding of Jerusalem is a testament to God's faithfulness in restoring His people, encouraging us to trust in His plans for restoration in our lives. <a href="/topical/h/historical_and_spiritual_significance.htm">Historical and Spiritual Significance</a> Understanding the historical context of Jerusalem's rebuilding helps us appreciate its spiritual significance as a symbol of God's covenant and presence.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 4</a> <a href="/q/how_do_ezra_2_64-65_totals_match_estimates.htm">How can the reported totals in Ezra 2:64-65 align with known population estimates of the region at that time?</a> <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> <a href="/q/how_does_zech._12_7_align_with_judah's_history.htm">How does Zechariah 12:7, which promises the Lord will save the tents of Judah first, align with historical records showing Judah's multiple defeats and exiles?</a> <a href="/q/are_nehemiah_12_1-7_priests_verified.htm">In Nehemiah 12:1-7, are there any historical or archaeological records confirming the specific priests and Levites named here?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Virulence and craft and exaggeration are stamped on every sentence of the letter. It only says, however, that "they are preparing the walls thereof, and joining the foundations." Afterwards, however, the charge is modified in <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm" title="Be it known now to the king, that, if this city be built, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so you shall damage the revenue of the kings.">Ezra 4:13</a>; <a href="/ezra/4-16.htm" title="We certify the king that, if this city be built again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means you shall have no portion on this side the river.">Ezra 4:16</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - The Jews which came up from thee. i.e. from the central provinces - from that part of the empire where thou dwellest. To us. To our part of the world - to Palestine. Are... building the rebellious and the bad city. The ground of this accusation must be sought in the various revolts of the Jews from the Babylonians recorded in <a href="/2_kings/24.htm">2 Kings 24, 25</a>. There had been one, or perhaps two, previous revolts from Assyria (<a href="/2_kings/18-7.htm">2 Kings 18:7</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11</a>); but of these the Samaritans probably knew nothing. They would, however, be likely to know that before Nebuchadnezzar took the extreme measure of removing the Jews from their own land to Babylon, they had rebelled against him three several times - once under Jehoiakim (<a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">2 Kings 24:1</a>), once under his son Jehoiachin (ibid. vers. 9, 10), and once under Zedekiah, the last king (ibid. ver. 20). Thus they had a basis of truth on which to ground their charge that Jerusalem was "the rebellious and the bad city." And have set up the walls thereof. It appears very clearly from the book of Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem were not restored till his time, seventy-five years after this. The Samaritans, however, would naturally exaggerate, and call the rebuilding of the temple, and of a certain number of dwelling-houses, a fortifying of the place. The exaggeration, however, is not so great in the Chaldee text as in the Authorized Version. What is said seems to be, that "they are setting up the walls and joining the foundations." That the work was far from complete is admitted in the next verse. We may doubt whether it was really begun. <a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Let it be לֶהֱוֵ֣א (le·hĕ·wê) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1934.htm">Strong's 1934: </a> To become, come to pass, be known יְדִ֙יעַ֙ (yə·ḏî·a‘) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3046.htm">Strong's 3046: </a> To know to the king לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> A king that דִּ֣י (dî) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> Who, which, that, because the Jews יְהוּדָיֵ֗א (yə·hū·ḏā·yê) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3062.htm">Strong's 3062: </a> Jews -- inhabitants of Judah who דִּ֤י (dî) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> Who, which, that, because came סְלִ֙קוּ֙ (sə·li·qū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5559.htm">Strong's 5559: </a> To ascend from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4481.htm">Strong's 4481: </a> From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than you לְוָתָ֔ךְ (lə·wā·ṯāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3890.htm">Strong's 3890: </a> Adhesion, with have returned אֲת֖וֹ (’ă·ṯōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_858.htm">Strong's 858: </a> To arrive to us עֲלֶ֥ינָא (‘ă·le·nā) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5922.htm">Strong's 5922: </a> Above, over, upon, against at Jerusalem. לִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (lî·rū·šə·lem) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3390.htm">Strong's 3390: </a> Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel And they are rebuilding תתן־ (bā·na·yin) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1124.htm">Strong's 1124: </a> To build that rebellious מָֽרָדְתָּ֤א (mā·rā·ḏə·tā) Adjective - feminine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4779.htm">Strong's 4779: </a> Rebellious and wicked ובאישתא (ū·ḇi·yō·šə·tā) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_873.htm">Strong's 873: </a> Wicked city, קִרְיְתָ֨א (qir·yə·ṯā) Noun - feminine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7149.htm">Strong's 7149: </a> Building restoring אשכללו (šaḵ·li·lū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3635.htm">Strong's 3635: </a> To complete its walls, ושורי (wə·šū·ray·yā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7792.htm">Strong's 7792: </a> A wall and repairing יַחִֽיטוּ׃ (ya·ḥî·ṭū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2338.htm">Strong's 2338: </a> To string together, to repair its foundations. וְאֻשַּׁיָּ֖א (wə·’uš·šay·yā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_787.htm">Strong's 787: </a> A foundation <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezra/4-12.htm">Ezra 4:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezra/4-12.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:12 Be it known to the king that (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:13" /></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>