Ezra 4:15

13 Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

14 Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king

that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

16 We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

17 Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
KJV
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
WEB
that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will see in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have started rebellions within it in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
ASV
that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.
DARBY
that search may be made in the book of the annals of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the annals and know that this city is a rebellious city, which has done damage to kings and provinces, and that they have raised sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was destroyed.
BLB
that he may search in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records, and you will know that this city [is] a rebellious city, causing loss [to] kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city from the days of old. On account of this was this city destroyed.
ÅB
for at du kan la granske i dine fedres krønike; da vil du i krøniken finne og se at denne by har vært en opprørsk by, som har voldt skade for konger og land, og at de har gjort opprør der fra gammel tid; derfor er også denne by blitt ødelagt.
OTB
slik at det kan gjøres et søk i dine forgjengeres bøker. Du vil finne i opptegnelsene at denne byen er en opprørsk by, skadelig for konger og provinser, og har en historie med opprør. Derfor ble denne byen ødelagt.
B1930
forat du kan la granske i dine fedres krønike; da vil du i krøniken finne og se at denne by har vært en oprørsk by, som har voldt skade for konger og land, og at de har gjort oprør der fra gammel tid; derfor er også denne by blitt ødelagt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezra 4:12

    Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.

    Read in context
  • Esther 3:5–8

    When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 24:20–25:1

    For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 2:19

    But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 52:3–34

    For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 6:4–13

    Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 25:4

    Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah,

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 6:6

    that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,

    Read in context