There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

EZRA 4:20KJV
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Ezra 4:20 (KJV)

What does Ezra 4:20 mean?

Ezra 4:20 reports a Persian king’s description of Jerusalem’s former power. He says that its kings once controlled lands beyond the Euphrates River and collected payments from those lands. The king presents that history as a reason to take Jerusalem’s rebuilding seriously.

The statement comes in King Artaxerxes’ reply to officials who had complained about the rebuilding. His reference to the city’s powerful past supports his decision to order the work stopped in verse 21. “Beyond the river” refers to the region west of the Euphrates, including Judah.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 4:20

  • “toll” — מִנְדָּה (mindāh): This word refers to a payment imposed by a ruler, often understood as a tax. Together with the next two terms, it points to the financial control exercised by Jerusalem’s kings.
  • “tribute” — בְּלוֹ (belō): This means a payment owed to a ruler, often understood as a tax or tribute. The term adds to the picture of money or goods flowing from subject lands to the kings.
  • “custom” — הֲלָךְ (halāk): This is often understood as a duty or payment connected with movement or trade. The three terms name kinds of revenue, though their exact differences are not certain.

Why Ezra 4:20 matters

  • The verse is part of the king’s explanation for stopping the work. His statement about earlier rulers leads into his order in verse 21.
  • The verse speaks from the Persian ruler’s point of view about a region of his empire. His description of former kings ruling “beyond the river” makes their past reach relevant to his decision about Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“tribute” Hebrew H1093 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

“custom” Hebrew H1983 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

“toll” Hebrew H4061 · used in 4 verses

  • 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 6:8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
  • Ezra 7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

“mighty” Hebrew H8624 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
  • Daniel 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
  • Daniel 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.