Ezra 4:13
What does Ezra 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:13 means
The accusers warn that if Jerusalem is rebuilt and walled, the people will refuse tribute, custom, and toll. They argue that royal revenues will suffer, a potent claim in imperial ears. Money and loyalty are linked: a fortified city may become fiscally independent and politically defiant. The charge does not assess the actual aims of the Jews; it projects a threatening future to sway policy. By tying city strength to tax loss, the writers make the case that prudence demands preemptive suppression. This moves the issue from local religious restoration to imperial economics, where kings are most easily persuaded.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The king may be certain that when the building of this town and its walls is complete, they will give no tax or payment in goods or forced payments, and in the end it will be a cause of loss to the kings.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Now, be it known to the king, that if this city be builded, and the walls finished, toll, tribute, and custom they do not give; and at length <FI>to<Fi> the kings it doth cause loss.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now be it known to the king, that if this city be built up, and the walls thereof repaired, they will not pay tribute nor toll, nor yearly revenues, and this loss will fall upon the kings.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be it known therefore unto the king, that, if this city be built and the walls be completed, they will not pay tribute, tax, and toll, and in the end it will bring damage to the kings.
Context
Following the character attack in verse 12, verse 13 advances a practical argument: the king’s treasury is at stake. This builds the petition’s urgency and prepares for the claim of personal loyalty in verse 14. The structure of the letter—accusation, consequence, posture of fidelity—serves to nudge the king toward a harsh decree, which will arrive in verses 21–22 after the royal search reported in verses 18–20.
v.12Be 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.
v.13This passage
v.14Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
- Romans 13:6
For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.
- Nehemiah 5:4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute upon our fields and our vineyards.
- Ezra 4:20
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.
- Matthew 17:25
He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?
- Psalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.