Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
EZRA 4:12KJVWhat does Ezra 4:12 mean?
Ezra 4:12 reports to the king that the Jews who returned to Jerusalem are rebuilding the city, which the writers call "rebellious and bad," and that they have set up its walls and joined its foundations. The verse is part of a letter meant to warn the king about the Jews' activities and suggest they are a potential threat.
In context, local officials are writing to the Persian king to oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They describe Jerusalem in negative terms to persuade the king that allowing the Jews to rebuild could lead to trouble. The officials highlight the construction of the city's defenses, suggesting that the Jews might become independent or rebellious again if allowed to complete the work.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:12
- "rebellious" (מָרָדָא, marada): This word means rebellious or disloyal. The officials use it to paint Jerusalem as a city with a history of resisting authority, aiming to alarm the king.
- "bad" (בִּאִישָׁה, be'isha): This word means evil or troublesome. Calling Jerusalem a "bad city" is a strong accusation, meant to further convince the king that the city's restoration is dangerous.
- "walls" (שׁוּרַיָּא, shurayya): This refers to the defensive walls of the city. Mentioning the walls emphasizes the potential for the city to defend itself, which could be seen as a threat to Persian control.
- "joined" (חַדְּקוּ, chadeku): This word means to connect or join together. The officials note that the foundations have been joined, showing that the rebuilding is progressing and becoming more permanent.
Why Ezra 4:12 matters
- The verse shows how opponents of the Jews tried to use political pressure and negative language to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem, revealing the challenges faced by the returning exiles.
- The description of Jerusalem as "rebellious and bad" highlights the city's troubled history and the suspicion it faced from surrounding peoples and authorities.
- This verse connects to the larger theme in Ezra of opposition and obstacles to the restoration of Jerusalem, helping readers understand the broader struggle involved in reestablishing the Jewish community after exile.