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 4:24

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. ³ 

Ezra 5:5

5:5 But God was watching over ⁴  the elders of Judah, and they were not stopped ⁵  until a report could be dispatched ⁶  to Darius and a letter could be sent back concerning this.

Ezra 6:6

6:6 “Now Tattenai governor of Trans-Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and their colleagues, the officials of Trans-Euphrates – all of you stay far away from there!

[4:20]  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.

[4:20]  ² tn Aram “were being given to them.”

[4:24]  ³ sn Darius I Hystaspes ruled Persia ca. 522–486 b.c.

[5:5]  ⁵ tn Aram “the eye of their God was on.” The idiom describes the attentive care that one exercises in behalf of the object of his concern.

[5:5]  ⁶ tn Aram “they did not stop them.”

[5:5]  ⁷ tn Aram “[could] go.” On this form see F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 58, §169.