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 4:14

4:14 In light of the fact that we are loyal to the king, ³  and since it does not seem appropriate to us that the king should sustain damage, ⁴  we are sending the king this information ⁵ 

Ezra 5:11

5:11 They responded to us in the following way: ‘We are servants of the God of heaven and earth. We are rebuilding the temple which was previously built many years ago. A great king ⁶  of Israel built it and completed it.

Ezra 8:21

8:21 I called for a fast there by the Ahava Canal, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and seek from him a safe journey ⁷  for us, our children, and all our property.

---

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 “we eat the salt of the palace.”

⁴ tn Aram “the dishonor of the king is not fitting for us to see.”

⁵ tn Aram “and we have made known.”

⁶ sn This great king of Israel would, of course, be Solomon.

⁷ tn Heb “a straight way.”