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 4:15KJV
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Ezra 4:15 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:15 mean?

Ezra 4:15 records a request for the Persian king to search the official records of past kings, claiming that Jerusalem has a long history of rebellion and trouble for rulers and provinces, which led to its earlier destruction. The verse is part of an accusation meant to persuade the king to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

In this verse, enemies of the Jews are writing to King Artaxerxes, urging him to check the archives ("the book of the records of thy fathers") for evidence that Jerusalem has been a rebellious city. They argue that the city’s past actions—causing sedition and harm to kings and provinces—justify stopping its restoration. This is part of a larger effort to prevent the returned exiles from rebuilding their city and temple.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:15

  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer, H5609): This refers to an official written record or scroll. The accusers are appealing to documented history, not just rumors or hearsay.
  • "rebellious" (מָרָד, marad, H4779): This word means to revolt or rise up against authority. The accusation is that Jerusalem has a pattern of defiance, not just a one-time offense.
  • "sedition" (אֲשַׁשְׁתָּא, ashashtha, H849): This term points to organized resistance or conspiracy. The accusers are painting Jerusalem as a center of unrest that threatens the stability of the empire.

Why Ezra 4:15 matters

  • This verse shows how political opponents used official records and the reputation of a city to influence royal decisions, highlighting the power of written history in ancient governance.
  • The accusation is not just about the present but appeals to a pattern in the past, which helps explain why the Persian authorities took the threat seriously.
  • Understanding this verse clarifies why the rebuilding of Jerusalem faced such strong opposition and why the process was so drawn out and complicated for the returning exiles.