Ezra 4:21
Ezra 4:21 in Multiple Translations
Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
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.
Give an order now, that these men are to do nothing more, and that the building of the town is to be stopped, till I give an order.
Issue an immediate order for these men to stop work. This city is not to be rebuilt until I authorize it.
Make ye now a decree, that those men may cease, and that the citie be not buylt, till I haue giuen another commandement.
'Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.
Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built until a decree is made by me.
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.
Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me.
So you must command that the people must stop rebuilding the city. Only if I tell them that they may rebuild it will they be allowed to continue.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:21
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 4:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כְּעַן֙
שִׂ֣ימוּ
טְּעֵ֔ם
לְ/בַטָּלָ֖א
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣/א
אִלֵּ֑ךְ
וְ/קִרְיְתָ֥/א
דָךְ֙
לָ֣א
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א
עַד
מִנִּ֖/י
טַעְמָ֥/א
יִתְּשָֽׂם
כְּעַן֙
kᵉʻan
H3705
now
Adj
שִׂ֣ימוּ
sûwm
H7761
to set
Adj
טְּעֵ֔ם
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
command
Adj
לְ/בַטָּלָ֖א
bᵉṭêl
H989
to cease
Adj | V-Piel-Inf-a
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣/א
gᵉbar
H1400
man
Adj | Art
אִלֵּ֑ךְ
ʼillêk
H479
these
Adj
וְ/קִרְיְתָ֥/א
qiryâʼ
H7149
town
Adj | N-fs | Art
דָךְ֙
dêk
H1791
this
Adj
לָ֣א
lâʼ
H3809
not
Adj
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א
bᵉnâʼ
H1124
to build
Adj
עַד
ʻad
H5705
till
Adj
מִנִּ֖/י
min
H4481
from
Adj | Suff
טַעְמָ֥/א
ṭaʻam
H2941
account
Adj | Art
יִתְּשָֽׂם
sûwm
H7761
to set
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:21
כְּעַן֙
kᵉʻan
H3705
"now"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means 'now' or 'at this time', often used to indicate a current moment or situation, like in Genesis. It's about what's happening currently. It's used to show when something is happening.
Definition: now, at this time, until now Aramaic equivalent: ke.e.net (כְּעֶ֫נֶת "now" H3706)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: now. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 2:23; Daniel 6:9.
שִׂ֣ימוּ
sûwm
H7761
"to set"
Adj
This word is similar to H7760, but is more focused on setting or appointing someone or something to a specific role or task. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's commands and appointments.
Definition: 1) to set, make, appoint 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to make, make decree, setout (decree) 1a2) to make, appoint 1a3) to set, fix 1b) (Ithp'al) to be made, be set, be laid
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] command, give, lay, make, [phrase] name, [phrase] regard, set. See also: Ezra 4:19; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:27.
טְּעֵ֔ם
ṭᵉʻêm
H2942
"command"
Adj
This word is about having a command or report, and can also mean a taste or flavor. In the Bible, it can refer to a decree or wisdom, like in the book of Proverbs. It is about perceiving or understanding something.
Definition: 1) report, taste 1a) taste 1b) report
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] chancellor, [phrase] command, commandment, decree, [phrase] regard, taste, wisdom. See also: Ezra 4:8; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 6:27.
לְ/בַטָּלָ֖א
bᵉṭêl
H989
"to cease"
Adj | V-Piel-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to stop or cease, and is used in various contexts, including making something stop or come to an end. It appears in the Bible to describe hindering or ceasing from an action. In the KJV, it is translated as cease or hinder.
Definition: 1) (P'al) to cease 1a) to cease 1b) to make to cease
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: (cause, make to), cease, hinder. See also: Ezra 4:21; Ezra 4:24; Ezra 6:8.
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣/א
gᵉbar
H1400
"man"
Adj | Art
The Hebrew word for a person, often translated as 'man' or 'certain one', appears in various contexts, including the book of Daniel. It refers to a human being, male or female. This term is used to describe an individual.
Definition: a man, a certain (one) Aramaic of ge.ver (גֶּ֫בֶר "great man" H1397)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: certain, man. See also: Ezra 4:21; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 6:25.
אִלֵּ֑ךְ
ʼillêk
H479
"these"
Adj
This word simply means these or those, used to point out specific people or things, like when Jesus says 'these' to describe his disciples.
Definition: these, those Aramaic of el (אֵל "these" H0411)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: these, those. See also: Ezra 4:21; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 6:25.
וְ/קִרְיְתָ֥/א
qiryâʼ
H7149
"town"
Adj | N-fs | 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.
דָךְ֙
dêk
H1791
"this"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means 'this', used to point out a specific thing or person, similar to the Aramaic word 'zeh'.
Definition: this Aramaic of zeh (זֶה "this" H2088)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: the same, this. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:12.
לָ֣א
lâʼ
H3809
"not"
Adj
Means 'not' or 'nothing', often used to show something is absent or non-existent, like in Genesis. It implies a simple or absolute negation. Used over 2000 times in the Bible.
Definition: no, not, nothing Aramaic of lo (לֹא "not" H3808)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: or even, neither, no(-ne, -r), (can-) not, as nothing, without. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 3:16; Jeremiah 10:11.
תִתְבְּנֵ֔א
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.
עַד
ʻad
H5705
"till"
Adj
This Hebrew word is similar to H5704, meaning until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Numbers when describing the Israelites' travels.
Definition: prep 1) even to, until, up to, during conj 2) until, up to the time that, ere that
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] and, at, for, (hither-) to, on till, (un-) to, until, within. See also: Ezra 4:21; Daniel 5:21; Daniel 7:28.
מִנִּ֖/י
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Suff
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.
טַעְמָ֥/א
ṭaʻam
H2941
"account"
Adj | Art
This word is about making a judgment or command, like a sentence in court. In the book of Ezra, it refers to a command or decree from a king. It is related to the idea of having a taste or perception of what is right.
Definition: judgment, command, discretion Aramaic of ta.am (טַ֫עַם "taste" H2940)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: account, [idiom] to be commanded, commandment, matter. See also: Ezra 4:21; Ezra 6:14; Daniel 6:3.
יִתְּשָֽׂם
sûwm
H7761
"to set"
Adj
This word is similar to H7760, but is more focused on setting or appointing someone or something to a specific role or task. It is used in books like Genesis and Exodus to describe God's commands and appointments.
Definition: 1) to set, make, appoint 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to make, make decree, setout (decree) 1a2) to make, appoint 1a3) to set, fix 1b) (Ithp'al) to be made, be set, be laid
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] command, give, lay, make, [phrase] name, [phrase] regard, set. See also: Ezra 4:19; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:27.
Study Notes — Ezra 4:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Decree of Artaxerxes
19I 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.
20And 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.
21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.
22See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer? 23When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.Ezra 4:21 Summary
Ezra 4:21 shows us that even when people in power try to stop God's plans, He is still in control. King Artaxerxes tried to stop the Israelites from rebuilding Jerusalem, but God had other plans, as seen in Ezra 5-6. This verse reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when things seem to be going wrong, as mentioned in Romans 8:28. We can learn to trust in God's plan and wait for His timing, just like the Israelites did, and remember that God is always working for our good, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 46:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical context of Ezra 4:21?
The historical context of Ezra 4:21 is that the king has discovered Jerusalem's history of rebellion and sedition against previous kings, as mentioned in Ezra 4:19, and is now issuing a decree to stop the rebuilding of the city, as seen in Ezra 4:21.
Why did King Artaxerxes issue a decree to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem?
King Artaxerxes issued a decree to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem because he was concerned about the potential threat to his royal interests, as mentioned in Ezra 4:22, and the city's history of rebellion, as seen in Ezra 4:19-20.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of the Israelites' return from exile?
This verse is a significant part of the overall story of the Israelites' return from exile, as it shows the opposition they faced from their enemies, as mentioned in Ezra 4:1-24, and how God ultimately fulfilled His promises to them, as seen in Ezra 5-6 and Isaiah 44:28.
What can we learn from King Artaxerxes' decision to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem?
We can learn from King Artaxerxes' decision that even those in positions of power can be influenced by fear and a desire for control, as seen in Ezra 4:21-22, but God is sovereign and can use even these circumstances to fulfill His plans, as mentioned in Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 46:10.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when faced with opposition or setbacks in my own life, and what can I learn from the Israelites' experience in Ezra 4:21?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem to be working against me, as seen in Ezra 4:21 and Romans 8:28?
- How can I balance my desire for control and self-protection with my trust in God's plan, as seen in King Artaxerxes' decision in Ezra 4:21?
- What are some ways that I can pray for and support those who are facing opposition or persecution, as the Israelites were in Ezra 4:21-24?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:21
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease,.... From building: and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be given from me; he might suspect that this case, in all its
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:21
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:21
Ezra 4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until [another] commandment shall be given from me.Ver. 21. Give you now commandment] Chaldee, Make a decree; which yet did but carry on God’ s decree; for while persecutors sit backward to his command, they row forwards to his decree.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:21
Verse 21. Until another commandment shall be given from me.] The rebuilding was only provisionally suspended. The decree was, Let it cease for the present; nor let it proceed at any time without an order express from me.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:21
21. Give ye now commandment) R.V. Make ye now a decree. Cf. 19. The Samaritan officials clearly held some authority over the whole adjoining territory. and that this city be not builded] See notes on Ezra 4:12-13. The king’s alarm lest a strong city should be made of Jerusalem agrees rather with the time of Nehemiah than with that of Zerubbabel. The naval victories of the Greeks had rendered the Persian coast frontier peculiarly vulnerable. until another commandment shall be given from me] R.V. until a decree shall be made by me. The A.V. by introducing the word ‘another’ produced a needless ambiguity. The original has ‘the decree’, i.e. the permission to build.