Ezra 4:20

4:20 Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates ¹  and who were the beneficiaries of ²  tribute, custom, and toll.

Ezra 5:16

5:16 Then this Sheshbazzar went and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem. From that time to the present moment ³  it has been in the process of being rebuilt, although it is not yet finished.’

Ezra 6:4

6:4 with three layers of large stones ⁴  and one ⁵  layer of timber. The expense is to be subsidized ⁶  by the royal treasury. ⁷ 

¹ sn The statement that prior Jewish kings ruled over the entire Trans-Euphrates is an overstatement. Not even in the days of David and Solomon did the kingdom of Israel extend its borders to such an extent.

² tn Aram “were being given to them.”

³ tn Aram “from then and until now.”

⁵ tn Aram “stones of rolling.”

⁶ tc The translation follows the LXX reading חַד (khad, “one”) rather than the MT חֲדַת (khadat, “new”). If the MT reading “new” is understood to mean freshly cut timber that has not yet been seasoned it would seem to be an odd choice for construction material.

⁷ tn Aram “let be given.”

⁸ tn Aram “house.”