Ezra 4:21
What does Ezra 4:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 4:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 4:21 means
Artaxerxes commands a decree to halt the work on the city, ordering that it not be built until he issues a new directive. The language grants temporary but open-ended authority to stop construction, creating a legal barrier the opponents can wield. The king’s caution is understandable from his vantage point, yet it results in an unjust burden on the Jews’ lawful efforts. The decree does not resolve truth; it suspends progress. Such delays test perseverance and faith, pressing God’s people to wait under adverse rulings while trusting that His purposes are not undone by human edicts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give an order now, that these men are to do nothing more, and that the building of the town is to be stopped, till I give an order.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now give order to make these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until the order shall be given from me;
Context
With the historical concerns established in verses 19–20, the king now issues his practical directive. Verse 21 captures the heart of the opposition’s victory: a royal order to make the builders cease. Verse 22 will sharpen this with a warning against negligence in enforcement. The following verse (v. 23) will show how quickly the local officials act on this authority, using force to stop the work in Jerusalem.