Ezra 4:16
Ezra 4:16 in Multiple Translations
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
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.
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.
We give you word, that if the building of this town and its walls is made complete, there will be an end of your power in the country across the river.
We wish to inform Your Majesty that if this city is rebuilt and the walls completed, you will lose this province west of the Euphrates.
Wee certifie the King therefore, that if this citie be buylded, and the foundation of the walles layd, by this meanes the portion beyonde the Riuer shall not be thine.
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.'
We inform the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.
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.
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.
We want you to know that if they rebuild this city and finish building its walls, you will no longer be able to control/rule the people in this province west of the Euphrates River.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:16
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 4:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין
אֲנַ֨חְנָה֙
לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/א
דִּ֠י
הֵ֣ן
קִרְיְתָ֥/א
דָךְ֙
תִּתְבְּנֵ֔א
וְ/שׁוּרַיָּ֖/ה
יִֽשְׁתַּכְלְל֑וּן
לָ/קֳבֵ֣ל
דְּנָ֔ה
חֲלָק֙
בַּ/עֲבַ֣ר
נַהֲרָ֔/א
לָ֥א
אִיתַ֖י
לָֽ/ךְ
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין
yᵉdaʻ
H3046
to know
Adj
אֲנַ֨חְנָה֙
ʼănachnâʼ
H586
we
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
לָ/קֳבֵ֣ל
qᵉbêl
H6903
before
Adj | Conj
דְּנָ֔ה
dên
H1836
this
Adj
חֲלָק֙
chălâq
H2508
portion
Adj
בַּ/עֲבַ֣ר
ʻăbar
H5675
beyond
Adj | N-proper
נַהֲרָ֔/א
nᵉhar
H5103
river
Adj | Art
לָ֥א
lâʼ
H3809
not
Adj
אִיתַ֖י
ʼîythay
H383
there is
Adj
לָֽ/ךְ
Adj | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:16
מְהוֹדְעִ֤ין
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.
אֲנַ֨חְנָה֙
ʼănachnâʼ
H586
"we"
Adj
The Hebrew word for 'we' is used to refer to a group of people, including the speaker. It appears in the book of Daniel and Ezra, where it is used to express collective actions or thoughts. The word is also used in Aramaic.
Definition: we (first pers. pl.) Aramaic of a.nach.nu (אֲנַ֫חְנוּ "we" H0587)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: we. See also: Ezra 4:16; Daniel 3:16; Daniel 3:17.
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.
לָ/קֳבֵ֣ל
qᵉbêl
H6903
"before"
Adj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to describe something that is in front of or before something else. It can also mean because of or on account of something. The word is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: subst 1) front prep 2) in front of, before, because of, in view of, by reason of, because of this, therefore conj 3) because that, inasmuch as, although, according as, before adv 4) accordingly, then
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] according to, [phrase] as, [phrase] because, before, [phrase] for this cause, [phrase] forasmuch as, [phrase] by this means, over against, by reason of, [phrase] that, [phrase] therefore, [phrase] though, [phrase] wherefore. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:7; Daniel 6:23.
דְּנָ֔ה
dên
H1836
"this"
Adj
This Hebrew word means 'this' or 'therefore' and is used to point to something specific. It is often used in the Bible to connect ideas or explain a reason.
Definition: demons pron 1) this, on account of this adv 2) therefore
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (afore-) time, [phrase] after this manner, here (-after), one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), [phrase] thus, where(-fore), which. See also: Ezra 4:11; Daniel 2:29; Jeremiah 10:11.
חֲלָק֙
chălâq
H2508
"portion"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a portion or share of something, like a part of a larger whole. It is used to describe a person's inheritance or possession. This concept is seen in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Joshua.
Definition: portion, possession, lot Aramaic of che.leq (חֵ֫לֶק "portion" H2506A)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: portion. See also: Ezra 4:16; Daniel 4:12; Daniel 4:20.
בַּ/עֲבַ֣ר
ʻăbar
H5675
"beyond"
Adj | N-proper
This word means beyond or on the other side, often referring to a region across a river, like the Jordan, and is used to describe a location or direction.
Definition: region beyond or across Aramaic of e.ver (עֵ֫בֶר ": side" H5676)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: beyond, this side. See also: Ezra 4:10; Ezra 5:6; Ezra 7:25.
נַהֲרָ֔/א
nᵉhar
H5103
"river"
Adj | Art
The Hebrew word for a river, especially the Euphrates, describes a flowing body of water. In the Bible, it often symbolizes life and abundance.
Definition: river Aramaic of na.har (נָהָר "river" H5104H)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: river, stream. See also: Ezra 4:10; Ezra 5:6; Daniel 7:10.
לָ֥א
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.
אִיתַ֖י
ʼîythay
H383
"there is"
Adj
This Hebrew word is used to affirm existence, like saying there is something. It appears in conversations between God and people, like in Genesis. The KJV translates it as there is.
Definition: 1) there is, there are 2) particle denoting existence
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: art thou, can, do ye, have, it be, there is (are), [idiom] we will not. See also: Ezra 4:16; Daniel 3:14; Daniel 5:11.
לָֽ/ךְ
""
Adj | Suff
Study Notes — Ezra 4:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes
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.
16We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
17Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings. 18The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 4:24 | For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates —over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 8:3 | David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. |
Ezra 4:16 Summary
In Ezra 4:16, the advisors are trying to convince the king that rebuilding Jerusalem is a bad idea because it will lead to the city becoming rebellious again and the king losing control. However, this is likely just an excuse to prevent the Jews from rebuilding their city, as seen in the context of Ezra 4:1-5. As believers, we can learn from this example about the dangers of manipulation and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 11:33-36. By studying this verse, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of obedience and faith in our own lives, and how we can trust God to work out His plans, even in the face of opposition, as seen in Isaiah 46:10 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the concern of the advisors in Ezra 4:16?
The advisors are concerned that if the city of Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls are restored, the king will lose control over the territory west of the Euphrates, as stated in Ezra 4:16, which is reminiscent of the warnings given to King Solomon in First Kings 9:6-9 about the consequences of disobedience.
Why do the advisors think the king will lose dominion?
The advisors believe that a rebuilt Jerusalem will lead to the city's former rebelliousness and sedition, as mentioned in Ezra 4:15, which could threaten the king's authority, much like the warnings given in Proverbs 24:21-22 about the dangers of rebelliousness.
Is this concern legitimate or just an excuse?
The concern may be partially legitimate, given Jerusalem's history, but it is also likely an excuse to prevent the Jews from rebuilding their city, as seen in the opposition to the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra 4:1-5 and the warnings against such opposition in Isaiah 44:28.
How does this relate to the overall story of Ezra?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple, as described in Ezra 1:1-5, and the opposition the Jews faced, which is a common theme throughout the book, as seen in Ezra 4:1-24 and Nehemiah 4:1-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that we, like the advisors, might try to manipulate or control situations to our advantage, and how can we recognize and repent of such motivations?
- How can we, as believers, balance the need for wise caution with the need for faith and obedience to God's plans, as seen in examples like Esther 4:14 and Matthew 14:28-31?
- In what ways might our own 'rebelliousness' or disobedience be hindering God's work in our lives or in our communities, and what steps can we take to repent and align ourselves with God's will, as encouraged in Second Peter 3:18 and First John 1:9?
- How does this verse relate to the concept of 'submitting to authorities' as taught in Romans 13:1-7, and what are some practical implications of this teaching for our daily lives?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:16
We certify the king, that if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up,.... As it formerly was, and now attempted, as they suggest: by this means thou shalt have no portion on this
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:16
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,
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:16
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.Ver. 16. We certify the king] They doubt not of audience, while they sang a song of Utile, which therefore they thus set on with more confidence than charity.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezra 4:16
(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.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:16
16. be builded again, and the walls thereof set up] R.V. be builded and the walls finished.by this means] i.e. in consequence of Jerusalem becoming once more a fortified city and so recovering her capacity for rebellion. thou shalt have no portion on this side the river] R.V. beyond the river. For this expression see note on Ezra 4:12. no portion] For the use of this phrase cf. Joshua 22:25; Joshua 22:27, 2 Samuel 20:1, John 13:8 (οὐκἔχειςμέρος), 2 Corinthians 6:15 (τίςμέριςπιστῷμετὰἀπίστου). The letter concludes with an exaggerated appeal to the king’s alarms. (1) The Jews would be a centre of rebellion among the Western nations: (2) A Jewish empire might spring from the fortifications of Jerusalem as an Israelite empire once before had done. In either case the Persian king would find himself deprived of his hold upon the country W. of the Euphrates. The LXX. read οὐκἐστινσοιεἰρήνη: i.e. thou shalt have no peace. 1Es 2:24, ‘thou shalt from henceforth have no passage into C�le-Syria and Ph�nice’. Both paraphrases of our text.