Ezra 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.

2Ki 18:20; 2Ki 24:1; 2Ch 36:13; Ezr 4:15,19; Ne 1:3; Ps 48:1,2; Isa 1:21-23; Jer 52:3; Eze 17:12-21; Da 9:25; Lu 13:34; Lu 23:2-5; Ac 24:5; 1Th 5:22; 1Pe 2:13-15

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.