Ezra 4:16
New International Version
We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

New Living Translation
We declare to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the province west of the Euphrates River will be lost to you.”

English Standard Version
We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”

Berean Standard Bible
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

King James Bible
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

New King James Version
We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.

New American Standard Bible
We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, then as a result of this you will have no possession in the province beyond the Euphrates River.”

NASB 1995
“We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River.”

NASB 1977
“We inform the king that, if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River.”

Legacy Standard Bible
We make known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls completed, as a result you will have no portion in the province beyond the River.”

Amplified Bible
We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls finished, it will mean that you will have no possession in the province west of the [Euphrates] River.”

Christian Standard Bible
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.

American Standard Version
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.

Contemporary English Version
If Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will no longer have control over Western Province.

English Revised Version
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the river.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We want the king to know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will have nothing left [of your province] west of the Euphrates River.

Good News Translation
We therefore are convinced that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, Your Majesty will no longer be able to control West-of-Euphrates Province."

International Standard Version
We certify to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will lose your land holdings in the province beyond the Euphrates River.

Majority Standard Bible
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

NET Bible
We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control of this portion of Trans-Euphrates."

New Heart English Bible
We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.

Webster's Bible Translation
We certify the king that, if this city shall be built again, and its walls set up, by this means thou wilt have no portion on this side of the river.

World English Bible
We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
We are making known to the king that, if this city be built and the walls finished, by this means you have no portion beyond the river.”

Young's Literal Translation
We are making known to the king that, if this city be builded and the walls finished, by this means a portion beyond the river thou hast none.'

Smith's Literal Translation
We making known to the king that if this city shall be built, and its walls be completed, for this cause a portion beyond the river shall not be to thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
We certify the king, that if this city be built, and the walls thereof repaired, thou shalt have no possession on this side of the river.

Catholic Public Domain Version
We report to the king that if this city will have been built, and its walls repaired, you will have no possession across the river.”

New American Bible
We therefore inform the king, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed again, you will thereupon not have a portion in the province West-of-Euphrates.”

New Revised Standard Version
We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
We inform the king that, if this city is built and its walls are set up, by this means you shall have no dominion on this side the River.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
We disclose to the King that if this city will be built and its walls will be raised, then the authority at the crossing of the river is not yours.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
We announce to the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
We therefore declare to the king, that, if that city be built, and its walls be set up, thou shalt not have peace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
15that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 16We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

Nehemiah 6:5-9
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ...

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

2 Kings 18:31-32
Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, / until I come and take you away to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey—so that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, for he misleads you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’

2 Kings 19:10-13
“Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ...

Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Acts 17:6-7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Matthew 27:63-64
“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ / So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”

John 11:47-48
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Acts 16:20-21
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

Acts 21:28
crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”


Treasury of Scripture

We certify the king that, if this city be built again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means you shall have no portion on this side the river.

thou shalt have

Ezra 4:20
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

2 Samuel 8:3
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

1 Kings 4:24
For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

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Ezra 4
1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews,
4. endeavor to hinder it
7. Their letter to Artaxerxes
17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes
23. The building is hindered














We advise the king
This phrase indicates a formal communication to the king, reflecting the political dynamics of the time. The advisors are likely local officials or governors who have vested interests in maintaining their power and influence. Historically, this reflects the tension between the returning Jewish exiles and the established local authorities. The Hebrew root for "advise" (יְוֹעֲצִים, yo'atzim) implies counsel or consultation, suggesting a strategic move to influence the king's decision.

that if this city is rebuilt
The "city" refers to Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people. The rebuilding of Jerusalem was a significant event, symbolizing the restoration of the Jewish nation and their covenant relationship with God. The Hebrew word for "rebuilt" (תִּבָּנֶה, tibaneh) conveys the idea of restoration and renewal, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises.

and its walls are restored
Walls in ancient times were crucial for a city's defense and autonomy. The restoration of Jerusalem's walls would signify not only physical security but also the re-establishment of the city's identity and independence. The Hebrew root for "restored" (תִּשְׁתַּכְּמוּ, tishtakmu) suggests a return to a former state of completeness and strength, highlighting the importance of protection and sovereignty for the Jewish community.

you will have no dominion
This phrase underscores the political implications of Jerusalem's restoration. The local officials warn the king that a rebuilt Jerusalem could challenge his authority. The Hebrew word for "dominion" (חֵלֶק, chelek) can also mean portion or territory, indicating a loss of control or influence over the region. This reflects the broader geopolitical concerns of the Persian Empire in maintaining stability and control over its vast territories.

west of the Euphrates
The Euphrates River was a significant geographical marker in the ancient Near East, often representing the boundary of empires. The phrase "west of the Euphrates" situates the narrative within the broader context of Persian imperial administration. This area, known as "Beyond the River" (עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר, Ever HaNahar), was a critical region for trade and military strategy. The mention of this boundary highlights the strategic importance of Jerusalem and the potential threat its restoration posed to Persian interests.

(16) No portion on this side the river.--The same unscrupulous use of language: that is, if the river Euphrates is meant. In the days of Solomon, and once or twice subsequently, the Israelites had advanced towards the river, but it was not likely that they would ever do so again. The letter may, however, have been intended to suggest loosely that Jerusalem might become a centre of general disaffection.

Verse 16. - Thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. It is not quite clear whether the river intended here and in ver. 10 is the Euphrates or the Jordan. Generally in the Old Testament hannahar means the Euphrates, but the exaggeration is gross if that river was intended here. Only twice in their history had the Israelites advanced their frontier as far as that stream - under Solomon (1 Kings 4:21) and under Menahem (2 Kings 15:16); in their present depressed condition it was absurd to imagine that they could rival those early glories. But jealousy does not stop to weigh the reasonableness of its accusations.

CHAPTER 4:17-24.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
We
אֲנַ֙חְנָה֙ (’ă·naḥ·nāh)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 586: We

advise
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין (mə·hō·wḏ·‘în)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3046: To know

the king
לְמַלְכָּ֔א (lə·mal·kā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֠י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

if
הֵ֣ן (hên)
Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

this
דָךְ֙ (ḏāḵ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 1791: This

city
קִרְיְתָ֥א (qir·yə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 7149: Building

is rebuilt
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א (tiṯ·bə·nê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1124: To build

and its walls
וְשׁוּרַיָּ֖ה (wə·šū·ray·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 7792: A wall

are restored,
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן (yiš·taḵ·lə·lūn)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3635: To complete

you will have
אִיתַ֖י (’î·ṯay)
Adverb
Strong's 383: Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is

no
לָ֥א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

dominion
חֲלָק֙ (ḥă·lāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2508: Portion, possession

west
בַּעֲבַ֣ר (ba·‘ă·ḇar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates.
נַהֲרָ֔א (na·hă·rā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates


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OT History: Ezra 4:16 We inform the king that if this (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:15
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