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 4:12KJV
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Ezra 4:12 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:12 mean?

Ezra 4:12 reports an accusation sent to the Persian king: Jews who had come to Jerusalem were rebuilding a city the writers considered dangerous. The writers present the work on its walls and foundations as a reason for the king to pay attention.

The message comes from officials who opposed the rebuilding. Calling Jerusalem “rebellious” and “bad” gives the king a hostile picture of the city before the letter sets out its warning.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:12

  • “rebellious” — מָרַד (marad): The word carries the sense of resisting authority. In the letter, the description presents Jerusalem as a place inclined to defy its rulers.
  • “joined” — חוּט (ḥut): The word can carry the sense of repairing or joining together. The KJV uses it to describe work on the city’s foundations, alongside the reported rebuilding of its walls.

Why Ezra 4:12 matters

  • The verse gives the opponents’ account of the work, not a neutral description. Their choice of “rebellious” and “bad” shows how they want the king to view Jerusalem.
  • The concern reaches beyond the construction itself. In verse 13, the letter claims that a rebuilt and fortified city will stop paying the king’s taxes and tribute.
  • The reference to the walls helps explain the force of the accusation. City walls could provide protection, but the letter presents them as a possible threat to royal control.

Where else these words appear

“rebellious” Hebrew H4779 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“walls” Hebrew H7792 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
  • 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.

“foundations” Hebrew H787 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
  • Ezra 6:3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

“up” Hebrew H5559 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
  • Daniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
  • Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.