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.

EZRA 4:16KJV
Know the Bible

Ezra 4:16 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:16 mean?

Ezra 4:16 records a warning sent to the Persian king by people who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem. They claim that if the city and its walls are restored, the king will lose his hold over the region west of the Euphrates River.

The writers present Jerusalem’s rebuilding as a threat to royal power. After pointing to the city’s past in verse 15, they ask the king to view the work as a danger to his rule.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:16

  • “certify” — יְדַע (yedaʿ): This word carries the sense of making something known. The writers present their warning as information the king should accept.
  • “portion” — חֲלָק (ḥalaq): This word can mean a share or possession. Here it refers to the king’s stake in the territory under his control.

Why Ezra 4:16 matters

  • The warning reaches beyond Jerusalem itself. The phrase “no portion on this side the river” claims that the king could lose control over a much wider region.
  • The warning is part of an attempt to stop the work. In Ezra 4:21, the king orders that the men be made to cease until he gives another command.

Where else these words appear

“walls” Hebrew H7792 · used in 3 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.
  • 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.

“portion” Hebrew H2508 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“We” Hebrew H586 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
  • Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
  • Daniel 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

“city” Hebrew H7149 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • 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 4:19 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.