Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

EZRA 4:14KJV
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Ezra 4:14 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:14 mean?

Ezra 4:14 gives the reason a group of officials claimed to be writing to the Persian king about Jerusalem. They presented themselves as people supported by the royal court who could not stand by while the king’s interests were threatened.

The words come from a letter opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. After warning of a possible loss of royal income in verse 13, the writers present their report as an act of loyalty. “Certified the king” means they sent word to inform him.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:14

  • “maintenance” — מְלַח (melaḥ): This word means “salt.” The wording is often understood as an expression for receiving support from the palace, as the KJV renders it.
  • “meet” — אֲרִיךְ (ʾarikh): This word carries the sense of “fitting” or “proper.” The writers say that watching the king suffer dishonour would be improper for people in their position.

Why Ezra 4:14 matters

  • The verse gives the officials’ stated reason for writing, rather than an independent judgment about Jerusalem. Their claim that they must protect the king helps make their warning sound credible.
  • The writers connect their own interests with the king’s position. Their reference to “maintenance from the king’s palace” presents them as people whose support came from the royal court.
  • The letter seeks action against the rebuilding. In Ezra 4:15–16, the writers ask the king to search earlier records and warn that a rebuilt Jerusalem will threaten his control of the region.

Where else these words appear

“maintenance” Hebrew H4416 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
  • Ezra 7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

“palace” Hebrew H1965 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • Daniel 4:4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
  • Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

“Now” Hebrew H3705 · used in 13 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 6:6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:
  • Daniel 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

“sent” Hebrew H7972 · used in 14 verses

  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Ezra 5:7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.
  • Ezra 7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;