Ezra 4:16

We give you word, that if the building of this town and its walls is made complete, there will be an end of your power in the country across the river.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

In Context

15So that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: and you will see in the book of the records that this town has been uncontrolled, and a cause of trouble to kings and countries, and that there were outbursts against authority there in the past: for which reason the town was made waste.

17Then the king sent an answer to Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, and their friends living in Samaria, and to the rest of those across the river, saying, Peace to you:

Read all of Ezra 4

Cross References

2 Samuel 8:3And David overcame Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to make his power seen by the River.

Ezra 4:20Further, there have been great kings in Jerusalem, ruling over all the country across the river, to whom they gave taxes and payments in goods and forced payments.

Matthew Henry on Ezra 4:7-17

The Jews Misrepresented. ( b. c. 521.) 6 And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. 8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the… Read the whole commentary →

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