Ezra 4:20
New International Version
Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.

New Living Translation
Powerful kings have ruled over Jerusalem and the entire province west of the Euphrates River, receiving tribute, customs, and tolls.

English Standard Version
And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.

Berean Standard Bible
And 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.

New American Standard Bible
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the Euphrates River, and that tribute, custom tax, and toll were paid to them.

NASB 1995
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them.

NASB 1977
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom, and toll were paid to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
that strong kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers in all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom, and toll were given to them.

Amplified Bible
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the provinces west of the [Euphrates] River, and tax, custom, and toll were paid to them.

Christian Standard Bible
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates River, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.

American Standard Version
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.

Contemporary English Version
And powerful kings have ruled Western Province from Jerusalem and have collected all kinds of taxes.

English Revised Version
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all the country beyond the river; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled the whole [province] west of the Euphrates. Taxes, fees, and tolls were paid to them.

Good News Translation
Powerful kings have reigned there and have ruled over the entire province of West-of-Euphrates, collecting taxes and revenue.

International Standard Version
Powerful kings have reigned over Jerusalem, including ruling over all lands beyond the Euphrates River. Furthermore, taxes, tribute, and tolls have been paid to them.

Majority Standard Bible
And 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.

NET Bible
Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates and who were the beneficiaries of tribute, custom, and toll.

New Heart English Bible
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them.

Webster's Bible Translation
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them.

World English Bible
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

Young's Literal Translation
and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And strong kings were over Jerusalem, and ruling over all beyond the river: and tribute, excise, and, toll, being given to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For there have been powerful kings in Jerusalem, who hare had dominion over all the country that is beyond the river: and have received tribute, and toll and revenues.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then too, there have been very strong kings in Jerusalem, who also ruled over the entire region which is across the river. They have also taken tribute, and tax, and revenues.

New American Bible
Powerful kings once ruled in Jerusalem who controlled all West-of-Euphrates, and taxes, tributes, and tolls were paid to them.

New Revised Standard Version
Jerusalem has had mighty kings who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the River; and they thought nothing of the kings of the old time.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And mighty kings were over Jerusalem and they ruled in all the Crossing of the River, and they considered the former kings nothing.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, impost, and toll, was paid unto them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there were powerful kings in Jerusalem, and they ruled over all the country beyond the river, and abundant revenues and tribute were given to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Artaxerxes
19I 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. 21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 9:37
Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

Daniel 6:1-2
Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, / and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.

2 Kings 24:20
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:20-21
Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. / So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 25:9-11
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. / And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Esther 1:1
This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush.

Daniel 2:37-38
You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

2 Kings 18:7
And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.

Isaiah 36:1
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

John 19:12
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Acts 17:7
and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...


Treasury of Scripture

There 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.

mighty king

1 Kings 4:21,24
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life…

1 Chronicles 18:3
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

Psalm 72:8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

beyond

Ezra 4:16
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.

Genesis 15:18
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Joshua 1:3,4
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses…

toll

1 Chronicles 18:6,13
Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went…

1 Chronicles 19:19
And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

2 Chronicles 9:14,23,24
Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon…

Jump to Previous
Countries Country Custom Forced Further Goods Governing Great Impost Jerusalem Kings Mighty Paid Payments Powerful Province Provinces River Ruled Rulers Ruling Tax Taxes Toll Trans-Euphrates Tribute Whole
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Countries Country Custom Forced Further Goods Governing Great Impost Jerusalem Kings Mighty Paid Payments Powerful Province Provinces River Ruled Rulers Ruling Tax Taxes Toll Trans-Euphrates Tribute Whole
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














There have been powerful kings
The phrase "powerful kings" refers to the historical rulers who exerted significant influence and control over Jerusalem and its surrounding regions. In the Hebrew context, the word for "powerful" can be linked to strength and might, often associated with divine favor or military prowess. Historically, this could refer to kings like David and Solomon, whose reigns were marked by expansion and prosperity. Their rule was seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, and their power was a testament to God's sovereignty and blessing over His chosen people.

over Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of peace, holds a central place in biblical history as the spiritual and political heart of Israel. It was the site of the Temple, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The mention of Jerusalem here underscores its significance as a city that has been under the rule of various powerful kings, both Israelite and foreign. This highlights the city's enduring importance and the divine purpose it serves in God's redemptive plan.

who ruled over the whole region beyond the River
The "region beyond the River" refers to the territories west of the Euphrates River, a vast area that included many different peoples and lands. This phrase indicates the extensive dominion these kings had, suggesting a period of great influence and control. Historically, this could include the time of the United Monarchy under David and Solomon, when Israel's borders were at their largest. It also reflects the geopolitical realities of the ancient Near East, where control of such regions was crucial for trade and military strategy.

and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them
The payment of "tribute, duty, and toll" signifies the economic and political power these kings wielded. In ancient times, such payments were a sign of subjugation and acknowledgment of authority. They were often used to maintain peace and order, as well as to fund the king's projects and military campaigns. This phrase highlights the prosperity and stability that can come under strong leadership, but also serves as a reminder of the burdens that can be placed on the people. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as a call to recognize God's ultimate authority and to offer Him the tribute of our lives in faithful service and obedience.

(20) Mighty kings.--David and Solomon, and some few kings down to Josiah, had extended their sway and made nations tributary (2 Samuel 8; 1 Kings 10). The earlier kings' names would perhaps be referred to historically, though not immediately connected with Persian annals.

Verse 20. - Mighty kings. David and Solomon best answer to this description, possessing as they did a kingdom which extended from the Euphrates to the borders of Egypt (1 Kings 4:21, 24), and drawing tribute from the various petty princes or chiefs of the nations dwelling within those limits (2 Samuel 8:6-12; 1 Kings 10:14, 25). Josiah had perhaps, more recently, possessed an almost equally extensive sway.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And mighty
תַּקִּיפִ֗ין (taq·qî·p̄în)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8624: Strong, mighty

kings
וּמַלְכִ֣ין (ū·mal·ḵîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

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

Jerusalem
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and exercised authority
וְשַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין (wə·šal·lî·ṭîn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7990: Mighty, permission, a premier

over the whole
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

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

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

and tribute,
וּמִדָּ֥ה (ū·mid·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֛וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

and toll
וַהֲלָ֖ךְ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

were paid
מִתְיְהֵ֥ב (miṯ·yə·hêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

to them.
לְהֽוֹן׃ (lə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:19
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