Ezra 4:15 - that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezra 4:15" mean?
Ezra 4:15, within the context of the broader passage, is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes by the enemies of the Jews who were rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The verse essentially argues:
"That search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers." This is an appeal to historical precedent. The writers are suggesting that the King should consult the royal archives to verify their claims. They're betting that past records will support their negative assessment of Jerusalem.
"You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past." This is the core accusation. They're claiming that Jerusalem has a long history of being a troublesome, rebellious city, a constant source of problems for the ruling empires. They're painting a picture of a place that incites unrest and threatens the stability of the region.
"That is why this city was destroyed." This provides a rationale for the previous destruction of Jerusalem (by the Babylonians). They argue that the past destruction wasn't random but a just punishment for the city's inherently rebellious nature. They're implying that allowing Jerusalem to be rebuilt will inevitably lead to similar problems in the future.
In essence, the verse is a carefully crafted argument designed to persuade King Artaxerxes to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The enemies of the Jews are using historical accusations to paint Jerusalem as a threat to royal authority and regional stability, thereby justifying their call for its continued ruin. It's important to note that the accuracy of these historical claims is debatable and likely exaggerated for political purposes.
Ezra 4:15 - that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
What does "Ezra 4:15" mean?
Ezra 4:15, within the context of the broader passage, is part of a letter written to King Artaxerxes by the enemies of the Jews who were rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The verse essentially argues:
"That search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers." This is an appeal to historical precedent. The writers are suggesting that the King should consult the royal archives to verify their claims. They're betting that past records will support their negative assessment of Jerusalem.
"You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past." This is the core accusation. They're claiming that Jerusalem has a long history of being a troublesome, rebellious city, a constant source of problems for the ruling empires. They're painting a picture of a place that incites unrest and threatens the stability of the region.
"That is why this city was destroyed." This provides a rationale for the previous destruction of Jerusalem (by the Babylonians). They argue that the past destruction wasn't random but a just punishment for the city's inherently rebellious nature. They're implying that allowing Jerusalem to be rebuilt will inevitably lead to similar problems in the future.
In essence, the verse is a carefully crafted argument designed to persuade King Artaxerxes to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The enemies of the Jews are using historical accusations to paint Jerusalem as a threat to royal authority and regional stability, thereby justifying their call for its continued ruin. It's important to note that the accuracy of these historical claims is debatable and likely exaggerated for political purposes.