The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

EZRA 4:18KJV
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Ezra 4:18 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:18 mean?

Ezra 4:18 records King Artaxerxes’ response to officials who had written about the people rebuilding Jerusalem. The king confirms that their letter has been read aloud in his presence, so their complaint has reached the person with authority to act.

The words “before me” picture the letter being presented at the royal court. The KJV’s “plainly” describes how the letter was read; the king’s response goes on to address the concern raised in it.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:18

  • “plainly” — מְפָרַשׁ (mepharash): This word carries the sense of something being made clear. It is often understood here to suggest that the letter was read with its meaning explained or translated for the king.

Why Ezra 4:18 matters

  • The letter was a complaint about rebuilding Jerusalem, not a neutral report about construction. In verses 12–13, the officials warn the king that a rebuilt city could withhold payments from him.
  • The king’s reply treats the complaint as a matter for investigation. In verse 19, he says he ordered a search and learned of Jerusalem’s past resistance to kings.

Where else these words appear

“letter” Hebrew H5407 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

“read” Hebrew H7123 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
  • Daniel 5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

“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;

“before” Hebrew H6925 · used in 38 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Daniel 2:36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
  • Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;