Ezra 4:18
What does Ezra 4:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:18 means
The king confirms that the letter has been read plainly before him. This emphasizes that the petition was taken seriously and understood in detail. There is no misunderstanding to correct; the issue has been clearly framed in the royal mind. The adversaries achieved their aim of securing the king’s full attention. This sober note prepares the reader for the results of the search that follows and for the decisive decree. It also shows how well-crafted accusations, once heard at the top, can carry great weight even when the accused have little opportunity to present their side.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now the sense of the letter which you sent to us has been made clear to me,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The letter that ye sent unto us, explained, hath been read before me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The accusation, which you have sent to us, hath been plainly read before me,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The letter that ye sent to us has been read before me distinctly.
Context
After the formal address in verse 17, verse 18 signals careful consideration of the petition. The narrative will now report the inquiry’s findings (v. 19) and the historical note about powerful Judean kings (v. 20), both of which will influence the decree. This steady progression from hearing to investigation to order mirrors bureaucratic processes, highlighting the formidable nature of the opposition Judah faced.
v.17Thensent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and in the rest of the country beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.
v.18This passage
v.19And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 8:8
And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.