Ezra 4:11 - Forerunner Commentary

Ezra 4:11

9 From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions—representatives of ^athe Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan, the Dehavites, the Elamites,

10 ^aand the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapper took captive and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remainder beyond¹ the River —^band so forth.

11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent him)
To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River,¹ and so forth:

12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the ^arebellious and evil city, and are finishing its ^bwalls and repairing the foundations.

13 Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay ^atax, tribute, or custom, and the king’s treasury will be diminished.

14 Now because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king’s dishonor; therefore we have sent and informed the king,

15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed.

16 We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.

17 The king sent an answer:
To Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and to the remainder beyond the River:
Peace,¹ and so forth.

18 The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me.

Verse Comparison: Ezra 4:11

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American Standard Version
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.

Amplified® Bible
This is a copy of the letter which they sent to King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men beyond [that is, west of] the River [Euphrates], and so forth.

Contemporary English Version
This letter said: Your Majesty King Artaxerxes, we are your servants from everywhere in Western Province, and we send you our greetings.

Darby English Version
This is the copy of the letter that they sent to him: To Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men on this side the river, and so forth.

Good News Bible
This is the text of the letter: "To Emperor Artaxerxes from his servants who live in West-of-Euphrates.

King James Version
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

New American Standard Bible
this is the copy of the letter which they sent to him: "To King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men in the region beyond the River, and now

New International Version
(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)
To King Artaxerxes,
From your servants, the men of Trans-Euphrates:

New King James Version
(This is a copy of the letter that they sent him) To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River, and so forth:

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
this represents the copy of the letter which they sent to him: "To King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men in the region beyond the River, and now

Revised Standard Version
this is a copy of the letter that they sent--"To Ar-ta-xerx'es the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now

Young's Literal Translation
This `is' a copy of a letter that they have sent unto him, unto Artaxerxes the king: `Thy servants, men beyond the river, and at such a time;

New English Translation
(This is a copy of the letter they sent to him:) “To King Artaxerxes,¹ from your servants in² Trans-Euphrates:

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