Ezra 4:14
What does Ezra 4:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:14 means
The writers declare their loyalty by saying they “eat the salt of the palace,” an idiom for enjoying the king’s provision and being bound by duty. They claim they cannot bear to see the king dishonored, so they have reported the matter. This presents their action as noble guardianship of royal interests rather than rivalry with Jerusalem. The phrase cloaks self-interest in fidelity, seeking moral high ground. It is a classic appeal: we act because we belong to you. Such rhetoric aims to win the king’s trust so that he will accept their version of events and act decisively against the rebuilding.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now because we are responsible to the king, and it is not right for us to see the king's honour damaged, we have sent to give the king word of these things,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Now, because that the salt of the palace <FI>is<Fi> our salt, and the nakedness of the king we have no patience to see, therefore we have sent and made known to the king;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But we remembering the salt that we have eaten in the palace, and because we count it a crime to see the king wronged, have therefore sent and certified the king,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now, since we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not right for us to see the king's injury, therefore have we sent and informed the king;
Context
After warning of financial loss in verse 13, the petitioners now paint themselves as devoted servants (v. 14), heightening their credibility. This paves the way for the proposed remedy: have the archives searched (v. 15) to confirm Jerusalem’s troublesome past. The flow carefully constructs a case—accusation, loyal posture, appeal to records—to elicit a royal ban, which will be issued in verses 21–22.
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.
v.14This passage
v.15that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:12
Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar.
- Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.
- John 12:5
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?