Ezra 4:20 - Forerunner Commentary

Ezra 4:20

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

19 And¹ I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it.

20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ^aruled over all the region ^bbeyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.

21 Now¹ give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.

22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

23 Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease.

24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Verse Comparison: Ezra 4:20

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Ezra 4:21 >>

American Standard Version
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.

Amplified® Bible
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem who have ruled over all countries beyond [west of] the [Euphrates] River, and tribute, custom, and toll were paid to them.

Contemporary English Version
And powerful kings have ruled Western Province from Jerusalem and have collected all kinds of taxes.

Darby English Version
And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the river; and tribute, tax, and toll were paid to them.

Good News Bible
Powerful kings have reigned there and have ruled over the entire province of West-of-Euphrates, collecting taxes and revenue.

King James 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.

New American Standard Bible
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all {the provinces} beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them.

New International Version
Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.

New King James Version
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and people have paid tribute, custom and toll to them.

Revised Standard Version
And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.

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.

New English Translation
Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates¹ and who were the beneficiaries of² tribute, custom, and toll.

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