Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. New Living Translation I ordered a search of the records and have found that Jerusalem has indeed been a hotbed of insurrection against many kings. In fact, rebellion and revolt are normal there! English Standard Version And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. New King James Version And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. New American Standard Bible And a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been conducted and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, and that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, NASB 1995 “A decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, NASB 1977 “And a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, Legacy Standard Bible So a decree has been issued by me, and a search has been made and it has been found that that city has lifted itself up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, Amplified Bible I have issued a command and a search has been made, and it has been discovered that this city [Jerusalem] in earlier times has revolted against the kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been perpetrated in it. Christian Standard Bible I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it. Holman Christian Standard Bible I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it. American Standard Version And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. Contemporary English Version I had the old records checked. It is true that for years Jerusalem has rebelled and caused trouble for other kings and nations. English Revised Version And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. GOD'S WORD® Translation I gave the order, and a search was made. I discovered that this city has a long history of uprisings against kings. Its inhabitants are guilty of treason and rebellion. Good News Translation I gave orders for an investigation to be made, and it has indeed been found that from ancient times Jerusalem has revolted against royal authority and that it has been full of rebels and troublemakers. International Standard Version Pursuant to my edict, an investigation has been undertaken. It is noted that this city has fomented rebellion against kings from time immemorial, and that rebellion and sedition has occurred in it. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible So I gave orders, and it was determined that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in rebellion and revolt. New Heart English Bible I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. Webster's Bible Translation And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. World English Bible I decreed, and search has been made, and it was found that this city has made insurrection against kings in the past, and that rebellion and revolts have been made in it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand by me a decree has been made, and they sought, and have found that this city is lifting up itself against kings from the days of old, and rebellion and sedition is made in it, Young's Literal Translation and by me a decree hath been made, and they sought, and have found that this city from the days of old against kings is lifting up itself, and rebellion and sedition is made in it, Smith's Literal Translation And a decree being set from me, and they sought and found that this city from days forever lifting itself up against kings, and perverseness and rebellion being made in it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I commanded: and search hath been made, and it is found, that this city of old time hath rebelled against kings, and seditions and wars have been raised therein. Catholic Public Domain Version And it was commanded by me, and they searched and found that this city, from the days of antiquity, has rebelled against the kings, and that seditions and battles have been incited within it. New American Bible When at my command inquiry was made, it was verified that from ancient times this city has risen up against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been fostered there. New Revised Standard Version So I made a decree, and someone searched and discovered that this city has risen against kings from long ago, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I commanded and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old times has made insurrections against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they read and they found that from the days of ancient time this city has had insurrection and rebellion and great conflict made within it against kings. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. Brenton Septuagint Translation And a decree has been made by me, and we have examined, and found that city of old time exalts itself against kings, and that rebellions and desertions take place within it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Decree of Artaxerxes…18The 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. 20And 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.… Cross References Nehemiah 2:19-20 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?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 4:1-3 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 6:5-9 The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / 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, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” ... Esther 3:8-9 Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.” Daniel 6:4-5 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. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” 2 Kings 17:24-26 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.” 2 Kings 18:31-32 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, / until I come and take you away to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey—so that you may live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah, for he misleads you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ 2 Kings 19:10-13 “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ... 2 Chronicles 32:10-19 “This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? / Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’ / Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’? ... Jeremiah 38:4 Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.” Acts 24:5-9 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ... Acts 25:7 When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. Acts 6:11-14 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ... Acts 17:6-7 But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” Acts 21:28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” Treasury of Scripture And I commanded, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. I commanded. Ezra 4:15 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. Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Ezra 6:1,2 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon… and it is found 2 Kings 18:7 And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. 2 Kings 24:20 For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. Ezekiel 17:13-19 And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: … made insurrection. Jump to Previous Authority City Commanded Decree Decreed Discovered Found History Insurrection Issued Itself Kings Lifting Order Orders Outbursts Past Perpetrated Raised Rebellion Revolt Risen Search Sedition Sought Therein Time TroubleJump to Next Authority City Commanded Decree Decreed Discovered Found History Insurrection Issued Itself Kings Lifting Order Orders Outbursts Past Perpetrated Raised Rebellion Revolt Risen Search Sedition Sought Therein Time TroubleEzra 4 1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews, 4. endeavor to hinder it 7. Their letter to Artaxerxes 17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes 23. The building is hindered I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. This phrase reflects the authority of the Persian king, likely Artaxerxes, who had the power to issue decrees that affected the entire empire. The decree to search the archives demonstrates the administrative organization of the Persian Empire, which maintained records of past events and decrees. This action underscores the importance of historical records in decision-making processes. The search for records is reminiscent of other biblical instances where records played a crucial role, such as in the book of Esther, where the king's sleepless night led to the discovery of Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty (Esther 6:1-3). It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition. Persons / Places / Events 1. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who issued the decree to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem. His decision was influenced by the letters from the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin. 2. Jerusalem The city at the center of the conflict. It had a history of rebellion against foreign rulers, which was used as a reason to stop its reconstruction. 3. Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin These were the people who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. They wrote to King Artaxerxes to persuade him to stop the work. 4. Rebuilding of the Temple The event that was halted due to the decree. The temple's reconstruction was crucial for the Jewish people as it represented their religious and cultural identity. 5. Search and Discovery The process initiated by King Artaxerxes to verify the claims made by the adversaries. The search confirmed the city's history of rebellion. Teaching Points Understanding OppositionRecognize that opposition to God's work is not new. Just as the Jews faced resistance, believers today may encounter challenges when pursuing God's purposes. The Power of Influence The adversaries' influence on King Artaxerxes shows how persuasive words can impact decisions. Believers should be mindful of the influence they wield and the voices they heed. God's Sovereignty Despite the halt in construction, God's plan for Jerusalem was not thwarted. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem unfavorable. Historical Awareness Understanding the past can provide insight into present challenges. The history of Jerusalem's rebellion was used against it, reminding us to be aware of how history can shape current perceptions. Perseverance in Faith The eventual completion of the temple teaches perseverance. Believers should remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's purposes will ultimately prevail.(19) Insurrection.--Never against Persia; but such as are alluded to in 2 Kings 24Verse 19. - I commanded, and search has been made. The Pseudo-Smerdis, who was a fanatical adherent of Magism, which disallowed temples altogether (Herod., 1:130), and who had already destroyed the temples of Ormuzd in Persia ('Behistun Ins.,' col. 1. par. 14, 5), was naturally willing enough to do as the Samaritans desired, and stop the restoration of the Jewish temple. Accordingly, he had a search made among the state records, and found, as they had expected he would, evidence of insurrections on the part of the Jews against the foreign countries to which they had been subject, as Assyria (2 Kings 18:7) and Babylon (ibid. 24:1; Jeremiah 52:3), and also proof of the formidable power possessed by certain Jewish or Israelite kings; upon which he thought himself justified in complying with the Samaritan request, and ordering the work that was going on at Jerusalem to cease (see ver. 21). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I issuedשִׂ֣ים (śîm) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7761: To set, make a decree, טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account and a search was conducted. וּבַקַּ֣רוּ (ū·ḇaq·qa·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1240: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider It was discovered וְהַשְׁכַּ֔חוּ (wə·haš·ka·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7912: To discover that דִּ֚י (dî) Pronoun - relative Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because this דָ֔ךְ (ḏāḵ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 1791: This city קִרְיְתָ֣א (qir·yə·ṯā) Noun - feminine singular determinate Strong's 7149: Building has revolted מִֽתְנַשְּׂאָ֑ה (miṯ·naś·śə·’āh) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 5376: To lift, take, carry against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against kings מַלְכִ֖ין (mal·ḵîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4430: A king from ancient עָֽלְמָ֔א (‘ā·lə·mā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 5957: Remote time, the future, past, forever times, יוֹמָת֙ (yō·w·māṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3118: A day engaging in rebellion וּמְרַ֥ד (ū·mə·raḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4776: Rebellion and sedition. וְאֶשְׁתַּדּ֖וּר (wə·’eš·tad·dūr) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 849: Rebellion Links Ezra 4:19 NIVEzra 4:19 NLT Ezra 4:19 ESV Ezra 4:19 NASB Ezra 4:19 KJV Ezra 4:19 BibleApps.com Ezra 4:19 Biblia Paralela Ezra 4:19 Chinese Bible Ezra 4:19 French Bible Ezra 4:19 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 4:19 I decreed and search has been made (Ezr. 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