Ezra 4:12 - 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.
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What does "Ezra 4:12" mean?
Ezra 4:12 is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes of Persia by the enemies of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. The verse conveys a specific complaint designed to incite the king against the Jewish people and halt their rebuilding efforts. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Be it known to the king...": This is a formal introduction, establishing the purpose of the letter: to inform the king of something important.
"...that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem...": This identifies the Jews as being under the king's authority. They were allowed to return to Jerusalem by a decree from a previous king (Cyrus). The phrase "came up from you" suggests that the Jews are essentially the king's responsibility.
"...They are building the rebellious and bad city...": This is the core of the complaint. The authors are portraying Jerusalem as a city historically known for rebellion against foreign powers (like the Persian Empire) and general wickedness. They are labeling it as "rebellious" and "bad" to instill fear in the king.
"...and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.": This emphasizes that the Jews are making significant progress in rebuilding the city's defenses. Having rebuilt the walls would make Jerusalem a strong and fortified city, potentially posing a threat to the king's authority and control over the region.
In summary, the verse is a calculated attempt to portray the Jews as disloyal subjects who are rebuilding Jerusalem as a fortified stronghold of rebellion against the Persian Empire. The authors aim to convince King Artaxerxes to stop the rebuilding project by painting it as a dangerous and disobedient act.
Ezra 4:12 - 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.
What does "Ezra 4:12" mean?
Ezra 4:12 is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes of Persia by the enemies of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. The verse conveys a specific complaint designed to incite the king against the Jewish people and halt their rebuilding efforts. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Be it known to the king...": This is a formal introduction, establishing the purpose of the letter: to inform the king of something important.
"...that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem...": This identifies the Jews as being under the king's authority. They were allowed to return to Jerusalem by a decree from a previous king (Cyrus). The phrase "came up from you" suggests that the Jews are essentially the king's responsibility.
"...They are building the rebellious and bad city...": This is the core of the complaint. The authors are portraying Jerusalem as a city historically known for rebellion against foreign powers (like the Persian Empire) and general wickedness. They are labeling it as "rebellious" and "bad" to instill fear in the king.
"...and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.": This emphasizes that the Jews are making significant progress in rebuilding the city's defenses. Having rebuilt the walls would make Jerusalem a strong and fortified city, potentially posing a threat to the king's authority and control over the region.
In summary, the verse is a calculated attempt to portray the Jews as disloyal subjects who are rebuilding Jerusalem as a fortified stronghold of rebellion against the Persian Empire. The authors aim to convince King Artaxerxes to stop the rebuilding project by painting it as a dangerous and disobedient act.