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 is part of a letter asking the Persian king to consult earlier royal records. The writers expect the records to support their claim that Jerusalem has a history of rebellion and was destroyed because of it. They present that history as a reason for the king to view the city as a threat.

The writers oppose the rebuilding described in the surrounding passage. By appealing to the king’s own records, they try to give their accusation the weight of official evidence. Their words address the interests of rulers and their territories, rather than the concerns of the people rebuilding Jerusalem.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:15

  • “records” — דִּכְרוֹן (dikhron): This word carries the sense of a written record or memorial. Here, the writers appeal to preserved accounts that the king can search.
  • “sedition” — אֶשְׁתַּדּוּר (eshtaddur): This word refers to rebellion or revolt. The writers use it to describe actions against royal authority, not merely disagreement or unrest.

Why Ezra 4:15 matters

  • The accusation comes from opponents of the rebuilding. The surrounding letter shows that they want the king to intervene, so their description of Jerusalem serves their case.
  • The writers connect Jerusalem’s past to a danger for the present ruler. The words “hurtful unto kings and provinces” frame the city as a political threat.
  • The king’s reply in Ezra 4:19 says a search found past resistance by Jerusalem. The exchange shows how the appeal to records helped shape the decision that followed.

Where else these words appear

“records” Hebrew H1799 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 6:2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:

“rebellious” Hebrew H4779 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:12 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.

“sedition” Hebrew H849 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

“book” Hebrew H5609 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
  • Ezra 6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
  • Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.