Ezra 4:12
What does Ezra 4:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:12 means
The letter portrays the Jews who returned from the king as rebuilding a “rebellious and bad” city, claiming its walls are completed and foundations repaired. The language is loaded and likely exaggerated, designed to alarm. By labeling Jerusalem inherently defiant, the writers recast a lawful, religious rebuilding as political insurgency. The mention of walls and foundations suggests fortification, not merely worship. The goal is to conflate temple and city renewal with military threat. This is slander by insinuation: if Jerusalem is strong again, the empire is at risk. The accusation seeks to bias the king before any fair inquiry is made.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Be 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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from thee unto us have come to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and they complete the walls and join up the foundations.
Context
Verse 11 opened the letter. Verse 12 launches the main charge, painting Jerusalem in the worst possible light. The specific claims about walls and foundations set the stage for the financial and political warnings in verse 13. The rhetorical strategy escalates from character assassination to projected consequences, building momentum toward a plea for royal intervention. The sequence is calculated to produce fear and prompt decisive action against the rebuilding.
v.11This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.
v.12This passage
v.13Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not!
- Isaiah 1:21
How is the faithful city become a harlot! she that was full of justice! righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.
- 2 Chronicles 36:13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.
- Jeremiah 52:3
For through the anger of Jehovah did it come to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
- 2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22
abstain from every form of evil.