Ezra 4:12

4:12 Now ¹  let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. ²  They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations.

Ezra 4:15

4:15 so that he may initiate a search of the records ³  of his predecessors ⁴  and discover in those records ⁵  that this city is rebellious ⁶  and injurious to both kings and provinces, producing internal revolts ⁷  from long ago. ⁸  It is for this very reason that this city was destroyed.

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¹ tn The MT takes this word with the latter part of v. 11, but in English style it fits better with v. 12.

² sn Management of the provinces that were distantly removed from the capital was difficult, and insurrection in such places was a perennial problem. The language used in this report about Jerusalem (i.e., “rebellious,” “odious”) is intentionally inflammatory. It is calculated to draw immediate attention to the perceived problem.

³ tn Aram “the book of the minutes.”

⁴ tn Aram “of your fathers.”

⁵ tn Aram “discover…and learn.” For stylistic reasons this has been translated as a single concept.

⁶ tn Aram “is a rebellious city.”

⁷ tn Aram “revolts they are making in its midst.”

⁸ tn Aram “from olden days.” So also in v. 19.