Ezra 4:13

Ezra 4:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

King James Version KJV

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

American Standard Version ASV

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The king may be certain that when the building of this town and its walls is complete, they will give no tax or payment in goods or forced payments, and in the end it will be a cause of loss to the kings.

Free Bible Version FBV

Your Majesty should realize that if this city is rebuilt and its walls repaired, they will not pay tax, tribute, or fees, and the king's revenue will suffer.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Be it knowen nowe vnto the King, that if this citie be built, and the foundations of the walles layed, they will not giue tolle, tribute, nor custome: so shalt thou hinder the Kings tribute.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Now, be it known to the king, that if this city be builded, and the walls finished, toll, tribute, and custom they do not give; and at length [to] the kings it doth cause loss.

World English Bible WEB

Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Be it known now to the king, that, if this city shall be built, and the walls set up again , then they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou wilt endamage the revenue of the kings.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And now be it known to the king, that if this city be built up, and the walls thereof repaired, they will not pay tribute nor toll, nor yearly revenues, and this loss will fail upon the kings.

Translation for Translators T4T

“It is important for you to know that if they rebuild the city and finish building the walls, they will stop paying any kind of taxes. As a result, there will be less money in your treasury.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezra 4:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כְּעַ֗ן יְדִ֨יעַ֙ לֶהֱוֵ֣א לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א דִּ֠י הֵ֣ן קִרְיְתָ֥/א דָךְ֙ תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֖/ה יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן מִנְדָּֽה בְל֤וֹ וַ/הֲלָךְ֙ לָ֣א יִנְתְּנ֔וּן וְ/אַפְּתֹ֥ם מַלְכִ֖ים תְּהַנְזִֽק

כְּעַ֗ן kᵉʻan H3705 now Adj

יְדִ֨יעַ֙ yᵉdaʻ H3046 to know Adj

לֶהֱוֵ֣א hâvâʼ H1934 to be Adj

לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א melek H4430 king Adj | N-ms | Art

דִּ֠י dîy H1768 that Adj

הֵ֣ן hên H2006 if Adj

קִרְיְתָ֥/א qiryâʼ H7149 town Adj | Art

דָךְ֙ dêk H1791 this Adj

תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א bᵉnâʼ H1124 to build Adj

וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֖/ה shûwr H7792 wall Adj | N-mp | Art

יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן kᵉlal H3635 to complete Adj

מִנְדָּֽה middâh H4061 tribute Adj

בְל֤וֹ bᵉlôw H1093 tribute Adj

וַ/הֲלָךְ֙ hălâk H1983 toll Adj | N-ms

לָ֣א lâʼ H3809 not Adj

יִנְתְּנ֔וּן nᵉthan H5415 to give Adj

וְ/אַפְּתֹ֥ם ʼappᵉthôm H674 revenue Adj | N-ms

מַלְכִ֖ים melek H4430 king Adj

תְּהַנְזִֽק nᵉzaq H5142 to suffer injury Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:13

כְּעַ֗ן kᵉʻan H3705 "now" Adj

In the Bible, this word means 'now' or 'at this time', often used to indicate a current moment or situation, like in Genesis. It's about what's happening currently. It's used to show when something is happening.

Definition: now, at this time, until now Aramaic equivalent: ke.e.net (כְּעֶ֫נֶת "now" H3706)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: now. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 2:23; Daniel 6:9.

יְדִ֨יעַ֙ yᵉdaʻ H3046 "to know" Adj

To know in Hebrew can also mean to let someone know or communicate, and is used in different forms, such as to certify, inform, or teach, in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to know 1a) (P'al) to know 1b) (Aphel) to let someone know, communicate, inform, cause to know

Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: certify, know, make known, teach. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 2:30; Daniel 7:16.

לֶהֱוֵ֣א hâvâʼ H1934 "to be" Adj

Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.

Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.

לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א melek H4430 "king" Adj | N-ms | Art

Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.

Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king

Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.

דִּ֠י dîy H1768 "that" Adj

This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.

הֵ֣ן hên H2006 "if" Adj

A Hebrew word meaning therefore or if, used to show cause and effect, as seen in the book of Daniel. It can also be used to ask a question or show uncertainty.

Definition: behold, if, whether Aramaic of hen (הֵן "look!" H2005)

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: (that) if, or, whether. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 2:9; Daniel 5:16.

קִרְיְתָ֥/א qiryâʼ H7149 "town" Adj | Art

This word refers to a town or city, like a place where people live. It is used in the Bible to describe urban areas.

Definition: city Aramaic of qir.yah (קִרְיָה "town" H7151)

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: city. See also: Ezra 4:10; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 4:21.

דָךְ֙ dêk H1791 "this" Adj

This Hebrew word simply means 'this', used to point out a specific thing or person, similar to the Aramaic word 'zeh'.

Definition: this Aramaic of zeh (זֶה "this" H2088)

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: the same, this. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8; Ezra 6:12.

תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א bᵉnâʼ H1124 "to build" Adj

This word means to build or construct something, and is used in the Bible to describe physical construction. It appears in various forms, including 'build' and 'make', and is an important concept in biblical descriptions of creation and architecture.

Definition: 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: build, make. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:27.

וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֖/ה shûwr H7792 "wall" Adj | N-mp | Art

In the Bible, this word means a wall, like a barrier going around something. It appears in books like Ezekiel and Nehemiah, describing walls in Jerusalem and other cities.

Definition: wall Aramaic of shur (שׁוּר "wall" H7791A)

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: wall. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:16.

יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן kᵉlal H3635 "to complete" Adj

To complete means to finish or bring something to an end, as seen in the Bible's use of this word to describe tasks and projects. It is about finishing what was started.

Definition: 1) to finish, complete 1a) (Shaphel) to finish 1b) (Ishtaphel) to be completed

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: finish, make (set) up. See also: Ezra 4:12; Ezra 5:3; Ezra 6:14.

מִנְדָּֽה middâh H4061 "tribute" Adj

This word refers to a payment or tax, like a tribute in money. It is used in the Bible to describe the tolls and taxes paid by the Israelites. The word is also used in Aramaic as a synonym for tribute.

Definition: tribute Aramaic of mid.dah (מִדָּה "tribute" H4060B)

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: toll, tribute. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 6:8; Ezra 7:24.

בְל֤וֹ bᵉlôw H1093 "tribute" Adj

Tribute refers to a tax or payment made to a ruler or government, often on consumed goods. This concept is seen in the Bible, particularly in the books of Kings and Chronicles.

Definition: tribute

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: tribute. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:20; Ezra 7:24.

וַ/הֲלָךְ֙ hălâk H1983 "toll" Adj | N-ms

A toll is a tax on goods being transported, like the customs duties collected in 1 Kings 10:15. It was a common practice in ancient trade.

Definition: toll, custom duty, tribute Aramaic of ha.lakh (הָלַךְ ": walk" H1980)

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: custom. See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:20; Ezra 7:24.

לָ֣א lâʼ H3809 "not" Adj

Means 'not' or 'nothing', often used to show something is absent or non-existent, like in Genesis. It implies a simple or absolute negation. Used over 2000 times in the Bible.

Definition: no, not, nothing Aramaic of lo (לֹא "not" H3808)

Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: or even, neither, no(-ne, -r), (can-) not, as nothing, without. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 3:16; Jeremiah 10:11.

יִנְתְּנ֔וּן nᵉthan H5415 "to give" Adj

This Hebrew word means to give or pay, and is used in various contexts, such as giving a gift or paying a debt, as seen in the book of Ezra.

Definition: : pay 1) to give 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to give 1a2) to give, allow 1a3) to give, pay

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: bestow, give pay. See also: Ezra 4:13; Daniel 4:14; Daniel 4:29.

וְ/אַפְּתֹ֥ם ʼappᵉthôm H674 "revenue" Adj | N-ms

This word refers to the income or revenue of a king or government, like the money collected by King Solomon. It is also used to describe the last or remaining group of people.

Definition: 1) treasury, treasuries 2) (CLBL) revenue

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: revenue. See also: Ezra 4:13.

מַלְכִ֖ים melek H4430 "king" Adj

Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.

Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king

Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.

תְּהַנְזִֽק nᵉzaq H5142 "to suffer injury" Adj

To suffer injury or loss, this word describes the experience of being hurt or damaged. In Exodus 21:22, it is used to describe the punishment for causing harm to someone. The word is also used in Proverbs 22:23 to warn against oppressing the poor.

Definition: 1) to suffer injury 1a) (P'al) to suffer injury 1b) (Aphel) to injure

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: have (en-) damage, hurt(-ful). See also: Ezra 4:13; Ezra 4:22; Daniel 6:3.

Study Notes — Ezra 4:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ezra 4:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:13
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:13
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:13
Barnes' Notes on Ezra 4:13
Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:13
Sermons on Ezra 4:13

Context — Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

11(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates: 12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.

13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

14Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezra 7:24	And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
2	Romans 13:6–7	This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
3	Nehemiah 5:4	Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
4	Matthew 9:9	As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
5	Psalms 52:2	Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
6	Ezra 4:20	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.
7	Psalms 119:69	Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
8	Matthew 17:25	“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

Ezra 4:13 Summary

This verse is saying that if the city of Jerusalem is rebuilt, the people who live there will stop paying taxes and giving money to the king, which will hurt the king's treasury. This is similar to what Jesus taught in Matthew 22:21, where He said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. The writers of the letter are trying to convince the king to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, but their motives are not pure. As Christians, we can learn from this verse the importance of being honest and having good motives in everything we do, as seen in Proverbs 10:9, where it says that the man of integrity walks securely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What motivated the writers of the letter to inform King Artaxerxes about the rebuilding of Jerusalem?

The writers were concerned that if Jerusalem was rebuilt, the inhabitants would stop paying tribute, duty, or toll, which would harm the royal treasury, as stated in Ezra 4:13. This concern is similar to the warnings given in 1 Samuel 8:18, where the Israelites are warned about the consequences of having a king.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Ezra?

This verse highlights the opposition faced by the Israelites as they tried to rebuild Jerusalem, which is a major theme in the book of Ezra, as seen in Ezra 4:1-5 and Ezra 5:1-5, where the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to continue rebuilding despite the opposition.

What does this verse reveal about the character of the people who wrote the letter to King Artaxerxes?

This verse reveals that the writers were loyal to the king and were concerned about the potential loss of revenue, but it also shows that they were willing to deceive and manipulate the king to achieve their own goals, as seen in Ezra 4:12, where they describe the Israelites as 'rebellious and wicked'.

How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship and giving in the Bible?

This verse highlights the importance of giving and paying taxes, as taught in Romans 13:6-7 and Matthew 22:21, where Jesus teaches about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can be a good steward of the resources God has given me, and how can I use them to bless others?
How can I balance my desire to serve God with my responsibilities to the government and society, as seen in Ezra 4:13 and Romans 13:1-7?
What are some ways that I can show my loyalty to God, even in the face of opposition or adversity, as seen in the book of Ezra?
How can I discern when I am being motivated by selfish desires, rather than a desire to serve God and others, as seen in the actions of the writers of the letter in Ezra 4:13?

Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:13

Be it known now unto the king,.... And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him and his counsellors: that if this city be builded, and its walls set up again, then will they not pay toll,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:13

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:13

Ezra 4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up [again, then] will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and [so] thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.Ver. 13. Be it known now unto the king] q.d. This is no light business, but of greatest importance; and, therefore, fit to be noted and noticed. Then will they not pay toll, tribute, &c.] This is an old device of the devil and his imps, to represent God’ s people to the world as anti-magistratical, and disturbers of the public peace. Thus they dealt by the primitive Christians, who were the emperors’ best subjects, and yielded them greatest respect and profit. Thus Francis, king of France, pretended and professed to the princes of Germany, whose friendship he desired, that he pursued the Lutherans with fire and sword, for no other cause but for that they were levellers, and enemies to civil government. This drew from Calvin, who was then but twenty-five years of age, that golden book of his, Institutions of Christian Religion, to free the Reformed Churches of that slur and slander. The like was suggested by the Arminians in the Low Countries, and by the Episcopal party here. It was in Tacitus’ s time, unum crimen eorum qui crimine vacabant, the only fault of such as were indeed without fault. And so thou shalt endamage the revenue] Diminish the annual revenues of the crown, which are well called the king’ s strength here, because if these fail little good can be done, either at home or abroad, Henry, king of Navarre (afterwards king of France), was wont to say, that he was a husband without a wife, a soldier without money, and a king without a kingdom. What would the king of Spain’ s greatness soon come to were it not for his yearly incomes, his mines of America?

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:13

(13) Toll, tribute, and custom.—Toll for the highways; custom, a provision in kind; tribute, the money tax. The revenue.—Rather, at length; literally and at length damage will be done to the kings.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezra 4:13

Verse 13. Toll, tribute, and custom] The first term is supposed to imply the capitation tax; the second, an excise on commodities and merchandise; the third, a sort of land tax. Others suppose the first means a property tax; the second, a poll tax; and the third, what was paid on imports and exports. In a word, if you permit these people to rebuild and fortify their city, they will soon set you at naught, and pay you no kind of tribute.

Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:13

13. set up again] R.V. finished. then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom] R.V. they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll. Cf. Ezra 4:20, Ezra 7:24. The R.V. gives the right order according to the Aramaic. The first word denotes the contribution of provinces, and the imperial taxation levied on districts; the second word probably the duties on merchandise or on the produce of the land for maintenance of provincial rule; the third, tolls levied upon travellers, for maintenance of roads and communication. and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings] R.V. and in the end it will endamage the kings. The A.V. is certainly wrong in translating by the second person singular. The verb refers to the city of ‘Jerusalem’, which would become the author of mischief. The word rendered by the A.V. ‘the revenue of’ and by the R.V. ‘in the end’, has caused much perplexity. Neither 1Es 2:18 nor the versions LXX., Vulg. and Syr. have attempted to translate it. In most Hebrew Bibles it is read ‘Aphtôm’. It has been conjectured to be a word of Persian origin (cf. old Persian ‘Apatama’, ‘most remote’: the Pehlevi ‘af-dom’ = ‘end’), and to be used here as an adverb ‘in the end’, ‘eventually’. Some of the best Hebrew texts however now read ‘Aphtôs’ (? = ‘revenue’). The rendering ‘revenue was a mere conjecture of the mediæval Hebrew commentators based upon the context, and by some scholars is still preferred. This expression of loyal interest in the welfare of the king’s treasure was a somewhat transparent method of conciliating the royal favour to their side.

Barnes' Notes on Ezra 4:13

Toll, tribute, and custom - Rather, “tribute, provision, and toll” (so Ezra 4:20).

Whedon's Commentary on Ezra 4:13

13. Toll, tribute, and custom — Comprising all kinds of revenue. It is difficult to decide the precise import of each term.

Sermons on Ezra 4:13

	Sermon	Description
	(Basics) 71. Submission to Authority by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of submitting to authority as instructed in the Bible. He references Romans 13:1, which states that all souls should be subje
	We Can Overcome Satan by Zac Poonen	This sermon addresses the importance of maintaining high spiritual standards without falling into legalism. It emphasizes the need to hate sin, repent sincerely, and strive for Chr
	Day 156, Luke 20 by David Servant	David Servant discusses the spiritual insight of common folks in Jesus' time compared to the Jewish religious leaders, emphasizing the importance of genuine love for God and others
	The Christian and His Country by Timothy Tow	Timothy Tow delivers a sermon on 'The Christian and His Country' on the occasion of Singapore's 36th Anniversary, emphasizing the dual citizenship of Christians in the Kingdom of H
	The Splendor of the Saints' Rest by Richard Baxter	Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'leitourgos', emphasizing its significance as a worker of the people, often associated with public duties and works of public use. Thi
	(Om Orientation) Our Motive Love - Part 1 by George Verwer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obedience to the word of God, particularly in regards to possessions and giving. He mentions that many people today are re
	(Matthew) ch.8:1-9:13 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on various verses from the book of Matthew. He begins by discussing the story of Jesus calming the storm in the sea of Galilee, emphasizing the