Discovery BoxEzra 4:12 
Context4:12 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
Context4:15 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.
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.”
