Ezra 4:21
◄  Ezra 4:21  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Therefore, issue orders to have these men stop their work. That city must not be rebuilt except at my express command.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a further decree has been pronounced by me.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Accordingly, issue an order to force these men to cease their work so that this city is not rebuilt until you receive further notice from me.

NET Bible (©2006)
Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
So order these men to stop rebuilding. Keep this city from being rebuilt until I give the order.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Give you now command to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another command shall be given from me.

American King James Version
Give you now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me.

American Standard Version
Make 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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me.

Darby Bible Translation
Now give order to make these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until the order shall be given from me;

English Revised Version
Make 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me.

World English Bible
Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.

Young's Literal Translation
'Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:6-24 It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - Until another commandment shall be given. It can scarcely be supposed that the Pseudo-Smerdis had any intention of issuing "another commandment;" but, since "the laws of the Medes and Persians," as a general rule, "altered not" (Esther 1:19; Daniel 6:15), it may well be that the clause before us was one inserted as a matter of form in most decrees, to prevent them from being irrevocable.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease,.... From building:

and that this city be not builded until another commandment shall be given from me; he might suspect that this case, in all its circumstances, was not truly stated, and that hereafter he might see reason to recede from the present orders he gave; and the rather, as by searching, and perhaps on his own knowledge, must have observed, that his father Cyrus had shown favour to the Jews, and had not only set them at liberty, but had encouraged them to rebuild their temple; which might be what they were about, and was the case, and nothing else, except their houses to dwell in.

Ezra 4:21 Parallel Commentaries

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The Decree of Artaxerxes
…20There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them. 21Give you now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me. 22Take heed now that you fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? …

Ezra 4:20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.
Ezra 4:22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?