Ezra 4:15
What does Ezra 4:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:15 means
They urge the king to search the records of his predecessors, promising he will find that Jerusalem has a rebellious history and has stirred sedition, which is why it was destroyed before. This is a shrewd tactic: it invites the king to confirm their claims, expecting that selective history will support their narrative. There is truth mixed with manipulation—Jerusalem did resist certain empires—but the implication that current rebuilding equals renewed revolt is misleading. By appealing to archives, they seek a veneer of objectivity for a partisan goal: stopping the city’s restoration and keeping the region under their influence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That 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 destroyed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: and you will see in the book of the records that this town has been uncontrolled, and a cause of trouble to kings and countries, and that there were outbursts against authority there in the past: for which reason the town was made waste.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that he doth seek in the book of the records of thy fathers, and thou dost find in the book of the records, and dost know, that this city <FI>is<Fi> a rebellious city, and causing loss <FI>to<Fi> kings and provinces, and makers of sedition <FI>are<Fi> in its midst from the days of old, therefore hath this city been wasted.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That search may be made in the books of the histories of thy fathers, and thou shalt find written in the records: and shalt know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to the kings and provinces, and that wars were raised therein of old time: for which cause also the city was destroyed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that search may be made in the book of the annals of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the annals and know that this city is a rebellious city, which has done damage to kings and provinces, and that they have raised sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was destroyed.
Context
The petitioners’ argument now reaches its evidentiary appeal, following loyalty claims in verse 14. Verse 15 sets the king on a path to an official inquiry, anticipating a confirmatory finding. Verses 18–20 will report that such a search indeed found records of past rebellions and strong kings in Jerusalem. That prepares for the decree of cessation in verses 21–22. Before that, verse 16 will press the consequences if action is not taken.
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;
v.15This passage
v.16We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 6:6
wherein was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou art building the wall: and thou wouldest be their king, according to these words.
- 2 Kings 24:20
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.
- Esther 3:5
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
- Nehemiah 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
- 2 Kings 25:4
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.
- Ezra 4:12
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.