Ezra 4:20

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

Further, there have been great kings in Jerusalem, ruling over all the country across the river, to whom they gave taxes and payments in goods and forced payments.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

Powerful kings have ruled over Jerusalem and throughout the whole area west of the Euphrates, and they received tax, tribute, and fees.

Geneva Bible 1599

There haue bene mightie kings also ouer Ierusalem, which haue ruled ouer all beyonde the Riuer, and tolle, tribute, and custome was giuen vnto them.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Powerful kings have ruled in Jerusalem, and they have also ruled over the whole province west of the Euphrates River. The people in that province were paying all kinds of taxes to those kings.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and had power over everything in the Province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes were paid to them.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

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.

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.

Summary

This verse from the book of Ezra highlights the opposition faced by the Israelites as they sought to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It mentions the fact that the work on the temple was ordered to be stopped by King Artaxerxes due to the concerns raised by the adversaries of Judah and Jerusalem. The interference from their enemies caused a delay in the reconstruction efforts, illustrating the challenges and obstacles encountered by God's people in fulfilling His purposes. Despite the opposition, the Israelites eventually persevered and completed the rebuilding of the temple, demonstrating the faithfulness of God in enabling His people to overcome adversity.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Beyond the river - That is, the Euphrates. Both David and Solomon carried their conquests beyond this river. See Sa2 8:3, etc., and Kg1 4:21, where it is said, Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river (Euphrates) unto the land of the Philistines; and unto the borders of Egypt.

Ezra 4:20

The Decree of Artaxerxes

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

Further, there have been great kings in Jerusalem, ruling over all the country across the river, to whom they gave taxes and payments in goods and forced payments.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

Powerful kings have ruled over Jerusalem and throughout the whole area west of the Euphrates, and they received tax, tribute, and fees.

Geneva Bible 1599

There haue bene mightie kings also ouer Ierusalem, which haue ruled ouer all beyonde the Riuer, and tolle, tribute, and custome was giuen vnto them.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Powerful kings have ruled in Jerusalem, and they have also ruled over the whole province west of the Euphrates River. The people in that province were paying all kinds of taxes to those kings.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and had power over everything in the Province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes were paid to them.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

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.

Ezra 4:20

Verse

Context

The Decree of Artaxerxes

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Ezra 4:20

The Decree of Artaxerxes

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary