Ezra 4:19
New International Version
I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition.

New Living Translation
I ordered a search of the records and have found that Jerusalem has indeed been a hotbed of insurrection against many kings. In fact, rebellion and revolt are normal there!

English Standard Version
And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

Berean Standard Bible
I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

King James Bible
And I commanded, 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.

New King James Version
And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it.

New American Standard Bible
And a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been conducted and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, and that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

NASB 1995
“A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

NASB 1977
“And a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

Legacy Standard Bible
So a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been found that that city has lifted itself up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it,

Amplified Bible
I have issued a command and a search has been made, and it has been discovered that this city [Jerusalem] in earlier times has revolted against the kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been perpetrated in it.

Christian Standard Bible
I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
I had the old records checked. It is true that for years Jerusalem has rebelled and caused trouble for other kings and nations.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I gave the order, and a search was made. I discovered that this city has a long history of uprisings against kings. Its inhabitants are guilty of treason and rebellion.

Good News Translation
I gave orders for an investigation to be made, and it has indeed been found that from ancient times Jerusalem has revolted against royal authority and that it has been full of rebels and troublemakers.

International Standard Version
Pursuant to my edict, an investigation has been undertaken. It is noted that this city has fomented rebellion against kings from time immemorial, and that rebellion and sedition has occurred in it.

Majority Standard Bible
I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

NET Bible
So I gave orders, and it was determined that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in rebellion and revolt.

New Heart English Bible
I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I commanded, 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 in it.

World English Bible
I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and by me a decree has been made, and they sought, and have found that this city is lifting up itself against kings from the days of old, and rebellion and sedition is made in it,

Young's Literal Translation
and by me a decree hath been made, and they sought, and have found that this city from the days of old against kings is lifting up itself, and rebellion and sedition is made in it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And a decree being set from me, and they sought and found that this city from days forever lifting itself up against kings, and perverseness and rebellion being made in it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I commanded: and search hath been made, and it is found, that this city of old time hath rebelled against kings, and seditions and wars have been raised therein.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it was commanded by me, and they searched and found that this city, from the days of antiquity, has rebelled against the kings, and that seditions and battles have been incited within it.

New American Bible
When at my command inquiry was made, it was verified that from ancient times this city has risen up against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been fostered there.

New Revised Standard Version
So I made a decree, and someone searched and discovered that this city has risen against kings from long ago, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I commanded and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old times has made insurrections against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they read and they found that from the days of ancient time this city has had insurrection and rebellion and great conflict made within it against kings.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And a decree has been made by me, and we have examined, and found that city of old time exalts itself against kings, and that rebellions and desertions take place within it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Artaxerxes
18The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence. 19 I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition. 20And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.…

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.” ...

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.”

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.”

2 Kings 17:24-26
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”

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? ...

2 Chronicles 32:10-19
“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? ...

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 24:5-9
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. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...

Acts 25:7
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

Acts 6:11-14
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...

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!”

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

And I commanded, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

I commanded.

Ezra 4:15
That 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.

Ezra 5:17
Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

Ezra 6:1,2
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon…

and it is found

2 Kings 18:7
And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

2 Kings 24:20
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Ezekiel 17:13-19
And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: …

made insurrection.

Jump to Previous
Authority City Commanded Decree Decreed Discovered Found History Insurrection Issued Itself Kings Lifting Order Orders Outbursts Past Perpetrated Raised Rebellion Revolt Risen Search Sedition Sought Therein Time Trouble
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Authority City Commanded Decree Decreed Discovered Found History Insurrection Issued Itself Kings Lifting Order Orders Outbursts Past Perpetrated Raised Rebellion Revolt Risen Search Sedition Sought Therein Time Trouble
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














I issued a decree
The phrase "I issued a decree" reflects the authoritative command of King Artaxerxes. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a decree from a king was binding and carried the weight of law. The Hebrew root for "decree" (טְעֵם, te‘em) implies a formal decision or command. This highlights the king's role as a sovereign ruler whose words could alter the course of history. In a spiritual sense, it reminds us of the ultimate authority of God’s Word, which is unchangeable and sovereign over all creation.

and a search was conducted
The phrase "and a search was conducted" indicates a thorough investigation into the historical records. The Hebrew word for "search" (בַּקָּרָה, baqqarah) suggests a diligent inquiry or examination. This reflects the meticulous nature of Persian administration, known for its detailed record-keeping. Spiritually, it underscores the importance of seeking truth and understanding, akin to the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who examined the Scriptures daily.

and it was discovered
The phrase "and it was discovered" signifies the uncovering of historical facts. The Hebrew root (מְהַשְּׁכָה, mehashkah) implies revelation or bringing to light. This discovery was pivotal in shaping the king's decision regarding Jerusalem. It serves as a reminder that truth, once revealed, can have profound implications. In a spiritual context, it echoes the biblical theme of God revealing hidden truths to His people.

that this city has a long history of revolt against kings
The phrase "that this city has a long history of revolt against kings" highlights Jerusalem's turbulent past. The Hebrew word for "revolt" (מְרִי, meri) denotes rebellion or insubordination. Historically, Jerusalem had indeed been a center of resistance against foreign rule, as seen in its defiance against Babylonian and Assyrian powers. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rebellion against rightful authority, both earthly and divine.

and has been a place of rebellion and sedition
The phrase "and has been a place of rebellion and sedition" further emphasizes the city's reputation for insurrection. The Hebrew term for "rebellion" (מַרְדוּת, mardut) and "sedition" (סְדִינָה, sedinah) convey notions of uprising and conspiracy. This historical context paints a picture of a city often at odds with ruling powers. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual rebellion and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will.

(19) Insurrection.--Never against Persia; but such as are alluded to in 2 Kings 24

Verse 19. - I commanded, and search has been made. The Pseudo-Smerdis, who was a fanatical adherent of Magism, which disallowed temples altogether (Herod., 1:130), and who had already destroyed the temples of Ormuzd in Persia ('Behistun Ins.,' col. 1. par. 14, 5), was naturally willing enough to do as the Samaritans desired, and stop the restoration of the Jewish temple. Accordingly, he had a search made among the state records, and found, as they had expected he would, evidence of insurrections on the part of the Jews against the foreign countries to which they had been subject, as Assyria (2 Kings 18:7) and Babylon (ibid. 24:1; Jeremiah 52:3), and also proof of the formidable power possessed by certain Jewish or Israelite kings; upon which he thought himself justified in complying with the Samaritan request, and ordering the work that was going on at Jerusalem to cease (see ver. 21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I issued
שִׂ֣ים (śîm)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

a decree,
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

and a search was conducted.
וּבַקַּ֣רוּ (ū·ḇaq·qa·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

It was discovered
וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ (wə·haš·ka·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7912: To discover

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

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

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

has revolted
מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה (miṯ·naś·śə·’āh)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 5376: To lift, take, carry

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

kings
מַלְכִ֖ין (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

from ancient
עָֽלְמָ֔א (‘ā·lə·mā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever

times,
יוֹמָת֙ (yō·w·māṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3118: A day

engaging in rebellion
וּמְרַ֥ד (ū·mə·raḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4776: Rebellion

and sedition.
וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר (wə·’eš·tad·dūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 849: Rebellion


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OT History: Ezra 4:19 I decreed and search has been made (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:18
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