Ezra 4:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 4:6-16

Cyrus stedfastly adhered to the Jews? interest, and supported his own grant. It was to no purpose to offer any thing to him in prejudice of it. What he did was from a good principle, and in the fear of God, and therefore he adhered to it. But, though his reign in all was thirty years, yet after the conquest of Babylon, and his decree for the release of the Jews, some think that he reigned but three years, others seven, and then either died or gave up that part of his government, in which his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:13

Be it known now unto the king ,.... And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him and his counsellors: that if this city be builded, and its walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom ; being able to defend themselves against the king's forces, sent to reduce them to their obedience; these three words take in all sorts of taxes and levies on persons, goods, and merchandise: and so thou shall endamage the revenue of the kings ; not only his own,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 4:13

Toll , tribute , and custom - The first term is supposed to imply the capitation tax; the second, an excise on commodities and merchandise; the third, a sort of land tax. Others suppose the first means a property tax; the second, a poll tax; and the third, what was paid on imports and exports. In a word, if you permit these people to rebuild and fortify their city, they will soon set you at naught, and pay you no kind of tribute. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:4-16

The world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE , These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" ( Ezra 4:4 ). As Israel was employed in rebuilding the ruined temple, so the Church is engaged in erecting a great spiritual temple; this noble enterprise is hindered by the varied enmity of the world. The moral building is hindered as well by the pleasures as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:4-16

The world's opposition to the Church. We observe, in reference to the world's opposition to the Church— I. THAT IT OFTEN SEEKS TO HINDER USEFUL ENTERPRISE , These Samaritans sought to "trouble them in building" ( Ezra 4:4 ). As Israel was employed in rebuilding the ruined temple, so the Church is engaged in erecting a great spiritual temple; this noble enterprise is hindered by the varied enmity of the world. The moral building is hindered as well by the pleasures as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-16

The work maligned. Besides "hiring counsellors," as mentioned in Ezra 4:5 ; or, it may be, in order to provide these counsellors with documents to present and act on; we are here told that the Samaritan "adversaries" sent various letters to the Persian kings against the temple builders at Jerusalem. One of these, sent to a king here styled Ahasuerus, is merely referred to as an "accusation." Another and more successful one, sent "in the days of Artaxerxes," is described at full length.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-16

The work maligned. Besides "hiring counsellors," as mentioned in Ezra 4:5 ; or, it may be, in order to provide these counsellors with documents to present and act on; we are here told that the Samaritan "adversaries" sent various letters to the Persian kings against the temple builders at Jerusalem. One of these, sent to a king here styled Ahasuerus, is merely referred to as an "accusation." Another and more successful one, sent "in the days of Artaxerxes," is described at full length.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the king of Persia. Documents passed between the two of which we have the superscription and contents in these verses. They remind us— I. THAT MEN MAY TAKE AN IMMENSITY OF TROUBLE TO DO OTHER PEOPLE HARM AND MAKE THEMSELVES INFAMOUS . These... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:6-24

Three thoughts from old documents. The determined attempts made by the Samaritans to prevent the Jews from building the temple and the walls of Jerusalem are well illustrated in the correspondence between them and the king of Persia. Documents passed between the two of which we have the superscription and contents in these verses. They remind us— I. THAT MEN MAY TAKE AN IMMENSITY OF TROUBLE TO DO OTHER PEOPLE HARM AND MAKE THEMSELVES INFAMOUS . These... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 4:13

Then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom. This was plausible reasoning. In Greece, if a subject city set to work to fortify itself, rebellion was immediately anticipated, not unfairly. But the circumstances of the Persian empire were different. In the remoter parts of that empire the central government was weak, and disorders frequently occurred. A city might need fortifications to protect it against its immediate neighbours, when it had not the slightest intention of asserting... read more

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