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Ezra 4:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ezra 4:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Ezra 4:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezra 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Be 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.
14Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to see the king`s dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
15that 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, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
16We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.
17[Then] sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and in the rest [of the country] beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.
18The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
19And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
← Ezra 4:15Ezra 4:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“We certify the king, that if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, etc.] As it formerly was, and now attempted, as they suggest: by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river; the river Euphrates; intimating that the Jews would not only shake off his yoke, and refuse to pay tribute themselves, but would seize on all his dominions on that side the river, and annex them to their own.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thou shalt have: Ezr 4:20; Sa2 8:3; Kg1 4:24 Ezra 4:17”
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Related study paths

Read Ezra 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification