Ezra 4:20
New International Version
Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.

New Living Translation
Powerful kings have ruled over Jerusalem and the entire province west of the Euphrates River, receiving tribute, customs, and tolls.

English Standard Version
And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.

New American Standard Bible
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the Euphrates River, and that tribute, custom tax, and toll were paid to them.

NASB 1995
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them.

NASB 1977
that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom, and toll were paid to them.

Legacy Standard Bible
that strong kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers in all the provinces beyond the River, and that tribute, custom, and toll were given to them.

Amplified Bible
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the provinces west of the [Euphrates] River, and tax, custom, and toll were paid to them.

Christian Standard Bible
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates River, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
And powerful kings have ruled Western Province from Jerusalem and have collected all kinds of taxes.

English Revised Version
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all the country beyond the river; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled the whole [province] west of the Euphrates. Taxes, fees, and tolls were paid to them.

Good News Translation
Powerful kings have reigned there and have ruled over the entire province of West-of-Euphrates, collecting taxes and revenue.

International Standard Version
Powerful kings have reigned over Jerusalem, including ruling over all lands beyond the Euphrates River. Furthermore, taxes, tribute, and tolls have been paid to them.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates and who were the beneficiaries of tribute, custom, and toll.

New Heart English Bible
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 to them.

Webster's Bible Translation
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

Young's Literal Translation
and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And strong kings were over Jerusalem, and ruling over all beyond the river: and tribute, excise, and, toll, being given to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For there have been powerful kings in Jerusalem, who hare had dominion over all the country that is beyond the river: and have received tribute, and toll and revenues.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then too, there have been very strong kings in Jerusalem, who also ruled over the entire region which is across the river. They have also taken tribute, and tax, and revenues.

New American Bible
Powerful kings once ruled in Jerusalem who controlled all West-of-Euphrates, and taxes, tributes, and tolls were paid to them.

New Revised Standard Version
Jerusalem has had mighty kings who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the River; and they thought nothing of the kings of the old time.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And mighty kings were over Jerusalem and they ruled in all the Crossing of the River, and they considered the former kings nothing.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, impost, and toll, was paid unto them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there were powerful kings in Jerusalem, and they ruled over all the country beyond the river, and abundant revenues and tribute were given to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Artaxerxes
19I 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. 21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 9:37
Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

Daniel 6:1-2
Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, / and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.

2 Kings 24:20
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.

2 Chronicles 36:20-21
Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. / So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 25:9-11
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. / And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Esther 1:1
This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush.

Daniel 2:37-38
You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. / Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

1 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.

2 Kings 18:7
And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.

Isaiah 36:1
In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.

Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

John 19:12
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Acts 17:7
and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...


Treasury of Scripture

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them.

mighty king

1 Kings 4:21,24
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life…

1 Chronicles 18:3
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

Psalm 72:8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

beyond

Ezra 4:16
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.

Genesis 15:18
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Joshua 1:3,4
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses…

toll

1 Chronicles 18:6,13
Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went…

1 Chronicles 19:19
And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

2 Chronicles 9:14,23,24
Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon…

Jump to Previous
Countries Country Custom Forced Further Goods Governing Great Impost Jerusalem Kings Mighty Paid Payments Powerful Province Provinces River Ruled Rulers Ruling Tax Taxes Toll Trans-Euphrates Tribute Whole
Jump to Next
Countries Country Custom Forced Further Goods Governing Great Impost Jerusalem Kings Mighty Paid Payments Powerful Province Provinces River Ruled Rulers Ruling Tax Taxes Toll Trans-Euphrates Tribute Whole
Ezra 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














And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem
This phrase highlights the historical significance of Jerusalem as a city of power and influence. Throughout its history, Jerusalem was ruled by several mighty kings, including David and Solomon, who established it as the political and spiritual center of Israel. The reference to "mighty kings" underscores the city's importance and the strength of its rulers. This aligns with biblical accounts in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings, where the reigns of David and Solomon are detailed, showcasing their military and administrative prowess.

and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates;
The region west of the Euphrates, often referred to as "Beyond the River," was a significant area in the ancient Near East, encompassing parts of modern-day Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. The phrase indicates the extent of the authority and influence that Jerusalem's kings had, reaching beyond their immediate borders. This reflects the historical reality of the Davidic and Solomonic empires, which expanded their territories and exerted control over neighboring regions. The mention of the Euphrates also connects to the broader biblical narrative of Israel's promised land, as seen in Genesis 15:18.

and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
This part of the verse emphasizes the economic and political power wielded by the kings of Jerusalem. Tribute, duty, and tolls were common forms of taxation in the ancient world, used to support the ruling government and its projects. The payment of these by surrounding nations or regions indicates a recognition of authority and submission to Jerusalem's rulers. This practice is documented in various parts of the Old Testament, such as in 1 Kings 4:21, where Solomon's wealth and the tribute he received are described. It also reflects the broader theme of God's provision and blessing upon Israel when they were obedient to His covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jerusalem
The central city of Jewish worship and governance, often a focal point of conflict and restoration throughout biblical history.

2. Powerful Kings
Refers to the historical rulers who had dominion over Jerusalem, including those from the Babylonian and Persian empires.

3. The Region Beyond the River
This phrase typically refers to the area west of the Euphrates River, encompassing parts of modern-day Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.

4. Tribute, Duty, and Toll
These were forms of taxation imposed by ruling empires on their subjects, indicating subjugation and control.

5. Ezra
A scribe and priest who played a crucial role in the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
Understanding Historical Context
Recognize the historical backdrop of foreign domination over Jerusalem, which sets the stage for the challenges faced by the returning exiles.

God's Sovereignty in Governance
Despite the rule of powerful kings, God's ultimate authority and plan for His people remain unchanged. Trust in His sovereignty even when earthly powers seem overwhelming.

The Burden of Subjugation
Reflect on the spiritual and physical burdens of living under foreign rule, and consider how this mirrors the Christian's struggle against sin and worldly influences.

Faithfulness Amidst Opposition
The Israelites' experience under foreign kings serves as a reminder to remain faithful to God despite external pressures and challenges.

The Role of Leadership
Ezra's leadership in the face of opposition highlights the importance of godly leaders who guide and encourage the community in faithfulness and obedience.(20) Mighty kings.--David and Solomon, and some few kings down to Josiah, had extended their sway and made nations tributary (2 Samuel 8; 1 Kings 10). The earlier kings' names would perhaps be referred to historically, though not immediately connected with Persian annals.

Verse 20. - Mighty kings. David and Solomon best answer to this description, possessing as they did a kingdom which extended from the Euphrates to the borders of Egypt (1 Kings 4:21, 24), and drawing tribute from the various petty princes or chiefs of the nations dwelling within those limits (2 Samuel 8:6-12; 1 Kings 10:14, 25). Josiah had perhaps, more recently, possessed an almost equally extensive sway.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And mighty
תַּקִּיפִ֗ין (taq·qî·p̄în)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8624: Strong, mighty

kings
וּמַלְכִ֣ין (ū·mal·ḵîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

have ruled over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם (yə·rū·šə·lem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

and exercised authority
וְשַׁ֨לִּיטִ֔ין (wə·šal·lî·ṭîn)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7990: Mighty, permission, a premier

over the whole
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

region west
עֲבַ֣ר (‘ă·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5675: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
נַהֲרָ֑ה (na·hă·rāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5103: A river, the Euphrates

and tribute,
וּמִדָּ֥ה (ū·mid·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4061: Tribute in money

duty,
בְל֛וֹ (ḇə·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1093: Tribute

and toll
וַהֲלָ֖ךְ (wa·hă·lāḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1983: A journey, toll on goods at a, road

were paid
מִתְיְהֵ֥ב (miṯ·yə·hêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052: To give, to put, imperatively, come

to them.
לְהֽוֹן׃ (lə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:19
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