Ezra 4:20-24

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. 4:21 Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct. ³  4:22 Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?”

4:23 Then, as soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read in the presence of Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they proceeded promptly to the Jews in Jerusalem ⁴  and stopped them with threat of armed force. ⁵ 

4:24 So the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem came to a halt. It remained halted until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia. ⁶ 

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 “until a command is issued from me.”

⁵ tn Aram “to Jerusalem against the Jews.”

⁶ tn Aram “by force and power,” a hendiadys.

⁷ sn Darius I Hystaspes ruled Persia ca. 522–486 b.c.