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.

EZRA 4:19KJV
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Ezra 4:19 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:19 mean?

Ezra 4:19 reports the Persian king’s finding that Jerusalem had a history of resistance to royal rule. The king presents that history as a reason to treat the rebuilding of the city as a political threat, rather than merely a building project.

The king is replying to officials who had written about the work in Jerusalem. After their warning in verse 16, he says he ordered a search of records. The phrase “of old time” points to events before the king’s own day.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:19

  • “search” — בְּקַר (beqar): This word carries the sense of examining or investigating. Here the king describes an inquiry made at his command, giving his reply the appearance of an official finding.
  • “insurrection” — נְשָׂא (nesa): This word can carry the sense of lifting oneself up. In this verse, the picture is of a city rising up against kings.

Why Ezra 4:19 matters

  • The king’s finding answers a particular accusation. The officials had warned that a rebuilt Jerusalem could threaten the king’s control and revenue (Ezra 4:13–16); his reference to past rebellion addresses that concern.
  • “This city” means Jerusalem as a political center. The search result describes the city’s conduct toward kings, while the letter concerns the people now rebuilding it.
  • The finding leads to an order to stop the work. In Ezra 4:21, the king tells the officials to make the men cease building until he gives another command.

Where else these words appear

“sedition” Hebrew H849 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 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.

“insurrection” Hebrew H5376 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
  • Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

“search” Hebrew H1240 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 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 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
  • 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.

“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 4:16 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.