Ezra 4:20
18 The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.
19 I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
21 Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.
22 See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?
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
- And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
- KJV
- There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
- WEB
- There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll was paid to them.
- ASV
- There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all [the country] beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.
- DARBY
- And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the river; and tribute, tax, and toll were paid to them.
- BLB
- And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.
- ÅB
- Mektige konger har rådet over Jerusalem, og de har hersket over alt land hinsides elven, og der ble gitt dem skatt, toll og veipenger.
- OTB
- Jerusalem har hatt mektige konger som hersket over hele provinsen bortenfor elven, og skatt, avgift og toll ble betalt til dem.
- B1930
- Mektige konger har rådet over Jerusalem, og de har hersket over alt land hinsides elven, og der blev gitt dem skatt, toll og veipenger.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
Read in context1 Kings 4:21
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
Read in context1 Chronicles 18:3
As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River.
Read in contextPsalms 72:8
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
Read in context1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
Read in context1 Chronicles 19:19
When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.
Read in context2 Chronicles 9:14
not including the revenue from the merchants and traders. And all the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
Read in contextEzra 4:13
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.
Read in context