Ezra 4:18
Ezra 4:18 in Multiple Translations
The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
And now the sense of the letter which you sent to us has been made clear to me,
The letter you sent to us has been translated and read to me.
The letter which yee sent vnto vs, hath bene openly read before me,
The letter that ye sent unto us, explained, hath been read before me,
The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.
The letter which ye sent to us hath been plainly read before me.
The accusation, which you have sent to us, hath been plainly read before me,
The letter that you sent to me was translated and read to me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezra 4:18
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 4:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕/א
דִּ֥י
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן
עֲלֶ֑י/נָא
מְפָרַ֥שׁ
קֱרִ֖י
קָדָמָֽ/י
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕/א
nishtᵉvân
H5407
document
Adj | Art
דִּ֥י
dîy
H1768
that
Adj
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן
shᵉlach
H7972
to send
Adj
עֲלֶ֑י/נָא
ʻal
H5922
since
Adj | Suff
מְפָרַ֥שׁ
pᵉrash
H6568
to make clear
Adj
קֱרִ֖י
qᵉrâʼ
H7123
to read
Adj
קָדָמָֽ/י
qŏdâm
H6925
before
Adj | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezra 4:18
נִשְׁתְּוָנָ֕/א
nishtᵉvân
H5407
"document"
Adj | Art
This word means a written document, like a letter or official paper. It is used in Daniel 4:1, where King Nebuchadnezzar writes a letter to his people. The word is similar to H5406, also meaning a letter or epistle.
Definition: letter Aramaic of nish.te.van (נִשְׁתְּוָן "letter" H5406)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: letter. See also: Ezra 4:18; Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:5.
דִּ֥י
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.
שְׁלַחְתּ֖וּן
shᵉlach
H7972
"to send"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to send something or someone away, like in Genesis when God sent Abraham to a new land. It can also mean to put or dispatch something. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God sending prophets or angels.
Definition: 1) to send 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to send, send out 1a2) to be sent
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: put, send. See also: Ezra 4:11; Ezra 6:12; Daniel 6:23.
עֲלֶ֑י/נָא
ʻal
H5922
"since"
Adj | Suff
Similar to H5921, this word means on, above, or because of something. It is often used to describe a reason or a direction, like in Genesis 18:5 where Abraham is asked to walk before God.
Definition: 1) upon, over, on account of, above, to, against 1a) upon, over, on account of, regarding, concerning, on behalf of 1b) over (with verbs of ruling) 1c) above, beyond (in comparison) 1d) to, against (of direction)
Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: about, against, concerning, for, (there-) fore, from, in, [idiom] more, of, (there-, up-) on, (in-) to, [phrase] why with. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 4:2; Daniel 7:28.
מְפָרַ֥שׁ
pᵉrash
H6568
"to make clear"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to make something clear or distinct, like explaining a concept in simple terms. It appears in the Bible to describe speaking clearly and being understood. In Ezra 4:18, the king orders a letter to be read distinctly.
Definition: (Pael) to specify, distinguish, make distinct Aramaic of pa.rash (פָּרַשׁ "to declare" H6567A)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: distinctly. See also: Ezra 4:18.
קֱרִ֖י
qᵉrâʼ
H7123
"to read"
Adj
This word means to read or call out loud, often used to describe reading scripture or proclaiming a message. In the book of Nehemiah, the priest Ezra reads the law aloud to the people.
Definition: 1) to call, read aloud, read out, shout 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to call, proclaim 1a2) to read aloud, read out 1b)(Ithp'el) to be summoned, be called
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: call, cry, read. See also: Ezra 4:18; Daniel 5:8; Daniel 5:17.
קָדָמָֽ/י
qŏdâm
H6925
"before"
Adj | Suff
Before something or someone, like in the book of Isaiah where it talks about things that happened before. It can also mean in front of or from the presence of, as seen in the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus.
Definition: 1) before, in front of 1a) before 1b) from before
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: before, [idiom] from, [idiom] I (thought), [idiom] me, [phrase] of, [idiom] it pleased, presence. See also: Ezra 4:18; Daniel 5:13; Daniel 7:20.
Study Notes — Ezra 4:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Decree of Artaxerxes
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.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 8:8 | So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read. |
Ezra 4:18 Summary
In Ezra 4:18, we see that the king had a letter translated and read in his presence, which means he wanted to understand what it said before making a decision. This shows that the king was careful and thoughtful in his decision-making, much like how we are encouraged to be wise and discerning in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 10:8-9. The king's actions remind us to seek wisdom and consider all the facts before making important choices, and to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 and Isaiah 26:3-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of the letter being translated and read in Ezra 4:18?
The letter was sent by Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe to King Artaxerxes, advising him against allowing the Israelites to rebuild Jerusalem, as seen in Ezra 4:16-17. This letter was likely an attempt to undermine the Israelites' efforts to rebuild their city and temple, as mentioned in Ezra 4:1-5.
Why was it important for the king to have the letter translated and read in his presence?
Having the letter translated and read in his presence allowed the king to understand the content and intentions of the letter, making an informed decision, similar to how King Nebuchadnezzar sought understanding from Daniel in Daniel 2:1-49.
What does this verse reveal about the king's decision-making process?
This verse shows that the king was diligent in gathering information before making a decision, as also seen in Esther 1:13-15, where King Ahasuerus consulted with his advisors before taking action.
How does this verse relate to the overall narrative of the book of Ezra?
This verse is part of the larger story of the Israelites' return from exile and their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, as prophesied in Isaiah 44:28 and fulfilled in Ezra 1:1-4 and Ezra 6:1-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can ensure that I am seeking wise counsel and considering all the facts before making important decisions, like King Artaxerxes in this verse?
- How can I apply the principle of diligence in seeking understanding, as seen in this verse, to my own life and decision-making process, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:3-4 and Proverbs 27:23-27?
- What are some potential consequences of not carefully considering the information and advice I receive, as seen in the king's response to the letter in Ezra 4:19-20?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with opposition or challenging circumstances, as the Israelites experienced in their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem, and as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Ezra 4:18
The letter which ye sent unto us,.... The plural number is used, being now become courtly for kings thus to speak of themselves: hath been plainly before me; by such that understood both the Syrian
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezra 4:18
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezra 4:18
Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.Ver. 18. Hath been plainly read before us] This in the general was commendable; but he should have reserved (as Alexander used to do) ουςαδιαβλητον, one ear free, and have heard both parties.
Cambridge Bible on Ezra 4:18
18. The letter] On the word used here see note on Ezra 4:8. hath been plainly read before me] So the R.V. The margin of the R.V. gives ‘translated’ as the alternative rendering for ‘plainly’, and this agrees with the general later usage of the word. The same word in Hebrew occurs in Nehemiah 8:8, where the R.V. renders ‘distinctly’, and its margin, ‘with an interpretation’. ‘Plainly’ (Vulg. manifeste) would imply that the allusions &c. of the Samaritan letter had been faithfully explained, not merely that the oral reading of the letter had been distinct. There is not much to be said for the rendering ‘translated’. A Persian king would be acquainted with the official dialect of his satrapies; a translation of an Aramaic letter would not be required. before me] Very possibly the king himself could not read. But see Ezra 4:23. The reading was performed by servants; cf. Esther 6:1. This expression favours the view that the king is claiming to himself credit for having heard the letter and had it carefully explained to him.
Barnes' Notes on Ezra 4:18
Hath been ... read - It is doubtful if the Persian monarchs could ordinarily read. At any rate, it was their habit to have documents read to them (compare Esther 6:1). This is still the ordinary practice in Eastern courts.
Sermons on Ezra 4:18
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Death & Resurrection by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the central message of the New Testament is about Jesus Christ. The focus is on his crucifixion and resurrection, which is highlighted i |
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The Mighty Presence of God - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need to look beyond the physical representation of the Bible and seek the deeper spiritual reality it represents. The central figure in t |
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The Incredible Strength of Knowing God's Joy by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of understanding the Word of God. He emphasizes that the people in the Bible who had returned from captivity in Babylon were f |
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The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Paul and Silas in prison and how God miraculously set them free. The earthquake that shook the prison opened all the doors and l |
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The Blood, the Call, the Promise by David Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the word of God. He criticizes the idea that listening to a message in a language one cannot understand is h |
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Our Attitude Toward God by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the emptiness of a life lived solely for material possessions and temporal things. He emphasizes the importance of living for Christ an |
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Building for Revival by Robin Wood | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Ezra reading the book of the law to the people. He emphasizes the sudden and powerful way in which God visited his people during |