Ezra 4:12

Ezra 4:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

We give news to the king that the Jews who came from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are building up again that uncontrolled and evil town; the walls are complete and they are joining up the bases.

Free Bible Version FBV

Your Majesty should be informed that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, completing repairs to the walls, and mending its foundations.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Be it knowen vnto the King that ye Iewes, which came vp from thee to vs, are come vnto Ierusalem (a citie rebellious and wicked) and buylde, and lay the foundations of the walles, and haue ioyned the foundations.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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.

World English Bible WEB

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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Your majesty, we want you to know that the Jews who came here from your territories are rebuilding this city, Jerusalem. These people are wicked and want to rebel against you. Now they are repairing the foundations of the walls/buildings and building the walls of the city.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezra 4:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB יְדִ֨יעַ֙ לֶהֱוֵ֣א לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א דִּ֣י יְהוּדָיֵ֗/א דִּ֤י סְלִ֨קוּ֙ מִן לְוָתָ֔/ךְ עֲלֶ֥י/נָא אֲת֖וֹ לִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם קִרְיְתָ֨/א מָֽרָדְתָּ֤/א ו/באישת/א וּ/בִֽישְׁתָּ/א֙ בָּנַ֔יִן ו/שורי וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֣/א אשכללו שַׁכְלִ֔ילוּ וְ/אֻשַּׁיָּ֖/א יַחִֽיטוּ

יְדִ֨יעַ֙ yᵉdaʻ H3046 to know Adj

לֶהֱוֵ֣א hâvâʼ H1934 to be Adj

לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א melek H4430 king Adj | N-ms | Art

דִּ֣י dîy H1768 that Adj

יְהוּדָיֵ֗/א Yᵉhûwdâʼîy H3062 Jew Adj | Art

דִּ֤י dîy H1768 that Adj

סְלִ֨קוּ֙ çᵉliq H5559 to ascend Adj

מִן min H4481 from Adj

לְוָתָ֔/ךְ lᵉvâth H3890 with Adj | Suff

עֲלֶ֥י/נָא ʻal H5922 since Adj | Suff

אֲת֖וֹ ʼâthâh H858 to come Adj

לִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם Yᵉrûwshâlêm H3390 Jerusalem Adj | N-proper

קִרְיְתָ֨/א qiryâʼ H7149 town Adj | Art

מָֽרָדְתָּ֤/א mârâd H4779 rebellious Adj | Art

ו/באישת/א biʼûwsh H873 bad Adj | Adj | Art

וּ/בִֽישְׁתָּ/א֙ biʼûwsh H873 bad Adj | Adj | Art

בָּנַ֔יִן bᵉnâʼ H1124 to build Adj

ו/שורי shûwr H7792 wall Adj | N-mp

וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֣/א shûwr H7792 wall Adj | N-mp | Art

אשכללו kᵉlal H3635 to complete Adj

שַׁכְלִ֔ילוּ kᵉlal H3635 to complete Adj

וְ/אֻשַּׁיָּ֖/א ʼôsh H787 foundation Adj | N-mp | Art

יַחִֽיטוּ chûwṭ H2338 to repair Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:12

יְדִ֨יעַ֙ yᵉdaʻ H3046 "to know" Adj

To know in Hebrew can also mean to let someone know or communicate, and is used in different forms, such as to certify, inform, or teach, in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (P'al) to know 1b) (Aphel) to let someone know, communicate, inform, cause to know

Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: certify, know, make known, teach. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 2:30; Daniel 7:16.

לֶהֱוֵ֣א hâvâʼ H1934 "to be" Adj

Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.

Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.

לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א melek H4430 "king" Adj | N-ms | Art

Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.

Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king

Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.

דִּ֣י dîy H1768 "that" Adj

This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.

יְהוּדָיֵ֗/א Yᵉhûwdâʼîy H3062 "Jew" Adj | Art

A Jew is someone from the tribe of Judah, first mentioned in 2 Kings 25:25. The term is used to describe people who are descended from Judah and other tribes.

Definition: Someone descended from Judah (H3063) and possibly other tribes, first mentioned at 2Ki.25.25 Aramaic of ye.hu.di (יְהוּדִי "Jew" H3064)

Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Jew. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 6:7; Daniel 3:12.

דִּ֤י dîy H1768 "that" Adj

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

סְלִ֨קוּ֙ çᵉliq H5559 "to ascend" Adj

To ascend means to come up or go up, as seen in various biblical contexts. The KJV translates it as come or come up, often referring to physical or spiritual ascent.

Definition: 1) to ascend, come up 1a) (P'al) to come up 1b) (P'il) to come up

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: come (up). See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 7:3; Daniel 7:20.

מִן min H4481 "from" Adj

This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.

Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)

Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.

לְוָתָ֔/ךְ lᵉvâth H3890 "with" Adj | Suff

This Hebrew word means to be with or near someone, often translated as 'with' or 'beside'. It appears in various contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to describe physical or emotional closeness. It emphasizes togetherness or accompaniment.

Definition: to, at, beside, near, with

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] thee. See also: Ezra 4:12.

עֲלֶ֥י/נָא ʻal H5922 "since" Adj | Suff

Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.

Definition: 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 4:2; Daniel 7:28.

אֲת֖וֹ ʼâthâh H858 "to come" Adj

This Hebrew word means to arrive or come, and is used in phrases like 'maranatha', which means 'Lord, come'. It appears in the New Testament and is translated as 'come' or 'bring'.

Definition: 1) to come, arrive 1a) (P'al) to come 1b) (Aphel) to bring 1c) (Hophal) to be brought 2) used in the NT in the phrase "maranatha" -"Lord come" Aramaic of a.tah (אָתָה "to come" H0857)

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (be-) come, bring. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 5:3; Daniel 7:22.

לִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם Yᵉrûwshâlêm H3390 "Jerusalem" Adj | N-proper

Jerusalem means teaching of peace, the chief city of Palestine and Judah. It is mentioned in the Bible as the capital of the united kingdom. In the KJV, it is translated as Jerusalem.

Definition: Aramaic of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389) § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: {Jerusalem} See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:5; Daniel 6:11.

קִרְיְתָ֨/א qiryâʼ H7149 "town" Adj | Art

This word refers to a town or city, like a place where people live. It is used in the Bible to describe urban areas.

Definition: city Aramaic of qir.yah (קִרְיָה "town" H7151)

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: city. See also: Ezra 4:10; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:21.

מָֽרָדְתָּ֤/א mârâd H4779 "rebellious" Adj | Art

The Hebrew word marad means rebellious, describing someone who resists or defies authority. This term is used to characterize individuals or groups in the Bible.

Definition: rebellious

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: rebellious. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:15.

ו/באישת/א biʼûwsh H873 "bad" Adj | Adj | Art

This word means something is wicked or evil, like a bad smell. It is used to describe things that are morally wrong or unpleasant.

Definition: evil, bad, be evil Aramaic of ba.ash (בָּאַשׁ "to stink" H0887)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: bad. See also: Ezra 4:12.

וּ/בִֽישְׁתָּ/א֙ biʼûwsh H873 "bad" Adj | Adj | Art

This word means something is wicked or evil, like a bad smell. It is used to describe things that are morally wrong or unpleasant.

Definition: evil, bad, be evil Aramaic of ba.ash (בָּאַשׁ "to stink" H0887)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: bad. See also: Ezra 4:12.

בָּנַ֔יִן bᵉnâʼ H1124 "to build" Adj

This word means to build or construct something, and is used in the Bible to describe physical construction. It appears in various forms, including 'build' and 'make', and is an important concept in biblical descriptions of creation and architecture.

Definition: 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: build, make. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:27.

ו/שורי shûwr H7792 "wall" Adj | N-mp

In the Bible, this word means a wall, like a barrier going around something. It appears in books like Ezekiel and Nehemiah, describing walls in Jerusalem and other cities.

Definition: wall Aramaic of shur (שׁוּר "wall" H7791A)

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: wall. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16.

וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֣/א shûwr H7792 "wall" Adj | N-mp | Art

In the Bible, this word means a wall, like a barrier going around something. It appears in books like Ezekiel and Nehemiah, describing walls in Jerusalem and other cities.

Definition: wall Aramaic of shur (שׁוּר "wall" H7791A)

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: wall. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16.

אשכללו kᵉlal H3635 "to complete" Adj

To complete means to finish or bring something to an end, as seen in the Bible's use of this word to describe tasks and projects. It is about finishing what was started.

Definition: 1) to finish, complete 1a) (Shaphel) to finish 1b) (Ishtaphel) to be completed

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: finish, make (set) up. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:14.

שַׁכְלִ֔ילוּ kᵉlal H3635 "to complete" Adj

To complete means to finish or bring something to an end, as seen in the Bible's use of this word to describe tasks and projects. It is about finishing what was started.

Definition: 1) to finish, complete 1a) (Shaphel) to finish 1b) (Ishtaphel) to be completed

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: finish, make (set) up. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:14.

וְ/אֻשַּׁיָּ֖/א ʼôsh H787 "foundation" Adj | N-mp | Art

This word refers to a foundation, the base of something. It is used in the Bible to describe a starting point or a base for building. The KJV translates it as foundation.

Definition: foundation Aramaic of a.shu.yah (אָשְׁיָה "foundation" H0803)

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: foundation. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:16; Ezra 6:3.

יַחִֽיטוּ chûwṭ H2338 "to repair" Adj

To repair or join things together, used figuratively in the Bible to describe restoration.

Definition: (Aphel) to repair, join

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: join. See also: Ezra 4:12.

Study Notes — Ezra 4:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ezra 4:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 4:12
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:12
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:12
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:12
Sermons on Ezra 4:12

Context — Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

10and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates. 11(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:

12Let 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.

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. 14Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezra 5:9	So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
2	2 Chronicles 36:13	He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.
3	Ezra 5:3	At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
4	Acts 24:5	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,
5	Daniel 9:25	Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
6	Ezra 4:19	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.
7	1 Peter 2:13–15	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.
8	1 Thessalonians 5:22	Abstain from every form of evil.
9	Jeremiah 52:3	For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.
10	Psalms 48:1–2	Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.

Ezra 4:12 Summary

This verse, Ezra 4:12, tells us that the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from exile were working hard to rebuild the city and its walls. They wanted to restore their homeland and worship center, just like God had promised in Deuteronomy 30:3. However, the surrounding peoples were opposed to this and saw the Jews' efforts as a threat to their own power and influence, similar to the opposition faced by Nehemiah in Nehemiah 4:1-3. Despite this, the Jews continued to work on rebuilding the city, trusting in God's promise and provision, as seen in Romans 8:28, where it is written that all things work together for good to those who love God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Jews returning to Jerusalem want to rebuild the city and its walls?

The Jews wanted to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls to restore their homeland and worship center, as seen in Ezra 4:12, where they are described as rebuilding the city and restoring its walls, which is a fulfillment of God's promise in Deuteronomy 30:3 to bring them back to their land.

What was the attitude of the surrounding peoples towards the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem?

The surrounding peoples, who had been settled in the area by the great and honorable Ashurbanipal, were opposed to the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem, as seen in Ezra 4:12, where they describe the city as 'rebellious and wicked', indicating their negative attitude towards the Jews and their rebuilding efforts, similar to the opposition faced by Nehemiah in Nehemiah 4:1-3.

How did the king's servants view the rebuilding of Jerusalem?

The king's servants, who wrote the letter to King Artaxerxes, viewed the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a potential threat to the king's authority and treasury, as stated in Ezra 4:13, where they warn that if the city is rebuilt, the Jews will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, which is consistent with the warning in Proverbs 24:23-25 about the dangers of failing to give honor where it is due.

What can we learn from the Jews' determination to rebuild Jerusalem despite opposition?

The Jews' determination to rebuild Jerusalem despite opposition teaches us about the importance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity, as seen in Romans 8:28, where it is written that all things work together for good to those who love God, and in Nehemiah 6:15-16, where the Israelites complete the wall despite strong opposition.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can apply the principle of perseverance in my own life, just like the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem?
How can I trust God to work out His plans for me, even when faced with opposition, just like the Jews faced opposition from the surrounding peoples?
What are some 'walls' in my life that need to be rebuilt, and how can I start working on them with faith and determination, just like the Jews rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?
In what ways can I be a source of encouragement and support to others who are facing opposition or adversity, just like the prophets encouraged the Israelites to continue rebuilding the temple in Haggai 1:1-15?

Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:12

Be it known unto the king,.... The intent of this letter was, that it might be known to the king what follows: that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem; this they observe

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:12

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezra 4:12

Have set up the walls thereof: either, 1. The Jews had begun to build or repair some part of the walls which Nebuchadnezzar had left, which they aggravate in this manner. Or, 2. This is a mere fiction, which, being confidently affirmed, they thought would easily find belief with a king whose heart and ears they possessed by their hired counsellors, and others of their friends, or the enemies of the Jews.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:12

Ezra 4:12 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.Ver. 12. The rebellious and the bad city] After so many years doth Jerusalem rue one perfidious act of Zedekiah; and, having once been treacherous, it still hears, "The rebellious and bad city," as if it had been a very πονηροπολις, a professed sanctuary of roguery (as the Jesuits say of Geneva), and as Florus saith of the temple at Jerusalem, that it was impiae gentis arcanum. And have set up the walls thereof] This was no less false than scandalous. But malice careth not how true the accusation is, but how mischievous. And joined the foundations] Chald. sewed together. Or, rather these false informers had sewed a lie together with great art, that it might seem a truth, Psalms 119:69. The proud have forged a lie against me, assuunt mendacium mendacio, they have taught their tongues to speak lies, Jeremiah 9:5, and are artists at it.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:12

(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 Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16.

Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:12

12. the Jews] We have here practically the first application of this name to the new community at Jerusalem. It had been used of the Southern Kingdom (2 Kings 16:6; 2 Kings 25:25; 2 Chronicles 32:18) and of its exiles (Jeremiah 32:12; Jeremiah 34:9; Jeremiah 38:19; Jeremiah 40:11-12; Jeremiah 40:15; Jeremiah 41:3; Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 52:28; Jeremiah 52:30; Daniel 3:8; Daniel 3:12). As the return from the Captivity almost exclusively affected the exiles of the Southern Kingdom, the name was naturally applied to the new dwellers in Jerusalem and the neighbourhood, and was quickly adopted as the designation of all members of the race; cf. Zechariah 8:23; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:1; Ezra 5:5; Ezra 6:7-8; Ezra 6:14; ten times in Nehemiah, fifty-one times in Esther. The History of Israel had become the History of the Jews. which came up from thee to us are come] R.V. which came up from thee are come to us, generally expressed; i.e. from exile on the banks of the Euphrates to dwell in Judæa and Jerusalem. The introductory statement of the subject. building] R.V. they are building. A separate clause, containing an epitome of the charge against the Jews. ‘The rebellious and the bad city’, cf. Ezra 4:15. An appeal to its antecedents was calculated to prejudice the king against Jerusalem. and have set up the walls] R.V. finished: the verb in the original has the idea of completion. and joined the foundations] R.V. repaired, which gives the sense of the word better, and is more intelligible than the A.V. The accusation that the Jews were engaged in rebuilding the city, strengthening and repairing the walls, seems to refer to the days of Artaxerxes and to the work either of Nehemiah or, as is more probable, of Ezra before Nehemiah’s arrival. Those who see Pseudo-Smerdis in Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:7; Ezra 4:11) maintain that the accusation is designedly false, and intended to incense the Government against the Jews for exceeding the instructions of Cyrus’s decree, which limited them to the restoration of the Temple.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:12

12. The Jews — This name came to be the common appellation of all Israelites after the exile.

Sermons on Ezra 4:12

	Sermon	Description
	Hospital Experience by Bud Robinson	The video is a summary of the life and ministry of Bud Robinson, a preacher in the early 20th century. Despite his lack of formal education, Robinson had a profound impact on thous
	(Daniel) Nebuchadnezzar's Dream - Part 2 by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Daniel chapter two and the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The image had a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and th
	(Through the Bible) Matthew 16 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding true life in Jesus Christ. He questions the value of gaining the whole world if it means losing one's soul. The pr
	People Who Were Ready for Christs Coming 3 - by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared for Christ's second coming, drawing parallels between the wise men seeking Jesus and the need for believers toda
	Son of God or Son of Man by Chuck Smith	This sermon delves into the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, drawing from prophecies in the Old Testament that were precisely fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrect
	(Second Coming of Christ) 06 Universal Admiration for the Devil by Aeron Morgan	In this sermon on Revelation chapter 13, the speaker begins by referencing several passages from the books of Daniel and 2 Thessalonians that relate to end time events. He then sha
	Atlantic Lyman conf.1972-02 Studies in Daniel 09 by Joseph Balsan	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the theory of the 77s of days and explains that it does not hold water. However, he suggests that the theory actually refers to 77s of years.