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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 4:21 Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/4-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/15_Ezr_04_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 4:21 - The Decree of Artaxerxes" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezra/4-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezra/4-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezra/">Ezra</a> > <a href="/ezra/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/4-20.htm" title="Ezra 4:20">◄</a> Ezra 4:21 <a href="/ezra/4-22.htm" title="Ezra 4:22">►</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 />Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Therefore, issue orders to have these men stop their work. That city must not be rebuilt except at my express command.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until <i>another</i> commandment shall be given from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now issue a decree to make those men stop <i>work,</i> so that this city will not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“So, now issue a decree to make these men stop <i>work,</i> that the city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now issue a decree to make those men stop, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So, now issue a decree to make these men stop [work], so that this city is not rebuilt until a [new] command is issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a further decree has been pronounced by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a further decree has been pronounced by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezra/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I want you to command the people to stop rebuilding the city until I give further notice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So order these men to stop rebuilding. Keep this city from being rebuilt until I give the order.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Therefore you are to issue orders that those men are to stop rebuilding the city until I give further commands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Accordingly, issue an order to force these men to cease their work so that this city is not rebuilt until you receive further notice from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Now make a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not built, until a decree is made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Now set up a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city shall not be built till a decree shall be set up from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now therefore, hear the sentence: Prohibit those men, so that this city may be not built, until perhaps there may be further orders from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Give orders, therefore, to stop these men. This city may not be rebuilt until a further decree has been issued by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore issue an order that these people be made to cease, and that this city not be rebuilt, until I make a decree.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore make a decree causing these men to cease, and that this city should not be built until a commandment shall be given by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Now appoint a law to stop those men and this city will not be built, until there will be a commandment in front of me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore make a decree to stop the work of those men, and that city shall no more be built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/4-21.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=1022" 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">20</span>And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3705.htm" title="3705: kə·‘an (Adv) -- Now. (Aramaic) probably from ken; now.">Now, therefore,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7761.htm" title="7761: śî·mū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To set, make. (Aramaic) corresponding to suwm.">issue</a> <a href="/hebrew/2942.htm" title="2942: ṭə·‘êm (N-ms) -- Taste, judgment, command. ">an order</a> <a href="/hebrew/479.htm" title="479: ’il·lêḵ (Pro-cp) -- These. (Aramaic) prolonged from 'el; these.">for these</a> <a href="/hebrew/1400.htm" title="1400: guḇ·ray·yā (N-mpd) -- Man. (Aramaic) corresponding to gbar.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/989.htm" title="989: lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To cease. (Aramaic) corresponding to batel; to stop.">to stop,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1791.htm" title="1791: ḏāḵ (Pro-fs) -- This. (Aramaic) or dak (Aramaic); prolonged from da'; this.">so that this</a> <a href="/hebrew/7149.htm" title="7149: wə·qir·yə·ṯā (Conj-w:: N-fsd) -- A city. (Aramaic) or qiryah (Aramaic); corresponding to qiryah.">city</a> <a href="/hebrew/3809.htm" title="3809: lā (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. (Aramaic) or lah (Aramaic) (Dan. 4:32); corresponding to lo'.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1124.htm" title="1124: ṯiṯ·bə·nê (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3fs) -- To build. (Aramaic) or bnah (Aramaic); corresponding to banah; to build.">be rebuilt</a> <a href="/hebrew/5705.htm" title="5705: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- Even to, until. (Aramaic) corresponding to ad; X and, at, for, (hither-)to, on till, (un-)to, until, within.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/4481.htm" title="4481: min·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than. (Aramaic) corresponding to min.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/2942.htm" title="2942: ṭa‘·mā (N-msd) -- Taste, judgment, command. ">so order.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7761.htm" title="7761: yit·tə·śām (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To set, make. (Aramaic) corresponding to suwm."></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?…<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/6-6.htm">Nehemiah 6:6-9</a></span><br />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.” / Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7-8</a></span><br />When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, / and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-9</a></span><br />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.” / So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8-11</a></span><br />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. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” / So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-24.htm">2 Kings 17:24-33</a></span><br />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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-30.htm">2 Kings 18:30-32</a></span><br />Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ / Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, / until I come and take you away to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey—so that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, for he misleads you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-10.htm">2 Chronicles 32:10-19</a></span><br />“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-18.htm">Acts 4:18-21</a></span><br />Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-27.htm">Acts 5:27-29</a></span><br />They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Acts 24:5-9</a></span><br />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. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Acts 16:20-21</a></span><br />They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Acts 17:6-7</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-62.htm">Matthew 27:62-66</a></span><br />The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate. / “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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Luke 23:2</a></span><br />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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Give you now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me.</p><p class="hdg">Give ye, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-19.htm">Ezra 4:19</a></b></br> And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and <i>that</i> rebellion and sedition have been made therein.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/4-16.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezra/4-16.htm">Built</a> <a href="/ezra/4-15.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-21.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/ezra/4-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-16.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/ezra/4-19.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-18.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/ezra/4-19.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/ezra/4-19.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezra/4-16.htm">Rebuilt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-21.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-30.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/ezra/4-5.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/5-8.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/ezra/5-2.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezra/5-8.htm">Built</a> <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Cease</a> <a href="/ezra/10-14.htm">City</a> <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/ezra/5-3.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/ezra/6-8.htm">Issue</a> <a href="/ezra/5-3.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/ezra/5-13.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezra/5-13.htm">Rebuilt</a> <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm">Work</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>Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop</b><br>This phrase reflects the authority of King Artaxerxes of Persia, who was responding to a letter from the adversaries of the Jews. The historical context is crucial here; the Jews had returned from Babylonian exile and were attempting to rebuild Jerusalem. The opposition from local inhabitants, including Samaritans, was significant. This command shows the political power dynamics at play, where the Persian Empire had control over the region. The phrase also highlights the theme of opposition faced by God's people, a recurring motif throughout the Bible, seen in Nehemiah's struggles and the early church's persecution in Acts.<p><b>so that this city will not be rebuilt</b><br>The rebuilding of Jerusalem was a significant event in Jewish history, symbolizing restoration and hope. The city held religious, cultural, and political importance. The opposition to its rebuilding can be seen as an attempt to thwart God's plans for His people. This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative of Jerusalem as a central place in God's redemptive history, seen in prophecies like those in Isaiah and Zechariah, and ultimately in the New Jerusalem described in Revelation.<p><b>until I so order</b><br>This clause indicates the temporary nature of the decree, suggesting that the situation could change with a future command. It reflects the sovereignty of earthly kings but also points to the ultimate sovereignty of God, who controls the hearts of kings (<a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>). Historically, this foreshadows the eventual decree by King Cyrus, allowing the Jews to return and rebuild, as prophesied by Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a>). It also typifies the waiting and perseverance required of God's people, trusting in His timing and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who issued the decree to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His decision was influenced by the opposition to the Jewish people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_adversaries_of_judah_and_benjamin.htm">The Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin</a></b><br>These were the people who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They wrote to King Artaxerxes, persuading him to stop the work.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city whose rebuilding was halted by the decree. It was central to Jewish identity and worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_exiles.htm">The Jewish Exiles</a></b><br>The group of people who returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They faced opposition from surrounding peoples.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_persian_empire.htm">The Persian Empire</a></b><br>The ruling empire at the time, under which the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to their homeland.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human opposition, God's plans cannot be thwarted. The decree to stop the work was temporary, and God's purpose for Jerusalem was ultimately fulfilled.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_opposition.htm">The Reality of Opposition</a></b><br>Believers should expect opposition when doing God's work. The adversaries of Judah and Benjamin remind us that spiritual endeavors often face resistance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perseverance.htm">The Importance of Perseverance</a></b><br>The Jewish exiles' experience teaches us the value of perseverance. Even when work is halted, faithfulness and patience are crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer_and_fasting.htm">The Role of Prayer and Fasting</a></b><br>In times of opposition, seeking God's guidance through prayer and fasting, as Nehemiah did, is essential for overcoming obstacles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>The delay in rebuilding teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing. His plans unfold according to His divine schedule, not ours.<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/why_wasn't_ezekiel_42's_temple_built.htm">If Ezekiel 42's temple was meant to be literal, why did this plan never materialize in recorded history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_micah_4_8_align_with_zion's_fate.htm">How does Micah 4:8 align with other prophecies about Zion's future when some passages (e.g., Ezekiel 5) predict destruction rather than restoration?</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/why_is_ezekiel's_temple_layout_unique.htm">Why does Ezekiel 48 envision a temple layout vastly different from historical records of Solomon's and Zerubbabel's temples?</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 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Until another commandment shall be given</span>. It can scarcely be supposed that the Pseudo-Smerdis had any intention of issuing "another commandment;" but, since "the laws of the Medes and Persians," as a general rule, "altered not" (<a href="/esther/1-19.htm">Esther 1:19</a>; <a href="/daniel/6-15.htm">Daniel 6:15</a>), it may well be that the clause before us was one inserted as a matter of form in most decrees, to prevent them from being irrevocable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/4-21.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">Now, therefore,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּעַן֙</span> <span class="translit">(kə·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3705.htm">Strong's 3705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">issue</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֣ימוּ</span> <span class="translit">(śî·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7761.htm">Strong's 7761: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an order</span><br /><span class="heb">טְּעֵ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṭə·‘êm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2942.htm">Strong's 2942: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flavor, judgment, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for these</span><br /><span class="heb">אִלֵּ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’il·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_479.htm">Strong's 479: </a> </span><span class="str2">These</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(guḇ·ray·yā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1400.htm">Strong's 1400: </a> </span><span class="str2">A person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to stop,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַטָּלָ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaṭ·ṭā·lā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_989.htm">Strong's 989: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cease</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that this</span><br /><span class="heb">דָךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḏāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1791.htm">Strong's 1791: </a> </span><span class="str2">This</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city</span><br /><span class="heb">וְקִרְיְתָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qir·yə·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7149.htm">Strong's 7149: </a> </span><span class="str2">Building</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3809.htm">Strong's 3809: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be rebuilt</span><br /><span class="heb">תִתְבְּנֵ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiṯ·bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1124.htm">Strong's 1124: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">until</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5705.htm">Strong's 5705: </a> </span><span class="str2">Even to, until</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(min·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4481.htm">Strong's 4481: </a> </span><span class="str2">From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so order.</span><br /><span class="heb">טַעְמָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(ṭa‘·mā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2941.htm">Strong's 2941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Account, to be commanded, commandment, matter </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/4-21.htm">Ezra 4:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/4-21.htm">OT History: Ezra 4:21 Make you now a decree to cause (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/4-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 4:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/4-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 4:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 4:22" /></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>