There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them.
Parallel translations
- KJV 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.
- BSB And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
- NKJV There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them.
- NASB that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces beyond the Euphrates River, and that tribute, custom tax, and toll were paid to them.
- NLT Powerful kings have ruled over Jerusalem and the entire province west of the Euphrates River, receiving tribute, customs, and tolls.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The records noted that mighty kings had once ruled Jerusalem and collected tribute. This recalled the city's former power and independence.
Overview
The reference likely points to the reigns of David and Solomon, whose dominion extended widely. To Artaxerxes this past greatness signaled potential danger. What was once Israel's God-given glory was now cited as a reason to suppress the city.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- 1 Kgs 4:21Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- Gen 15:18In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
- Ps 72:8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
- 1 Chr 18:3David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
- Ezra 4:16We inform the king that, if this city is built and the walls finished, then you will have no possession beyond the River.
- Ezra 4:13Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
- 1 Chr 18:13He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
- 1 Chr 18:6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
- Josh 1:3–4I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses.
- 1 Chr 19:19When the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David, and served him. The Syrians would not help the children of Ammon any more.
- 2 Chr 9:23–24All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
- 2 Chr 17:11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
- 2 Chr 26:7–8God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim.
- 2 Chr 9:14besides that which the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
- 1 Kgs 4:24For he had dominion over all on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides around him.
- Ezra 7:24Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, on any of the priests, Levites, singers, porters, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God.
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Christ at the center
The return from exile and the rebuilt altar keep alive the hope of a greater restoration — the true return from our deeper exile of sin accomplished by Christ.
How Ezra 4:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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