Ezra 4:16

KJV

We certify the king that, if this city be builded [again], and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

KJV (with Strong's)

We {H586} certify {H3046} the king {H4430} that, if {H2006} this {H1791} city {H7149} be builded {H1124} again, and the walls {H7792} thereof set up {H3635}, by this {H1836} means {H6903} thou shalt have {H383} no {H3809} portion {H2508} on this side {H5675} the river {H5103}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We submit to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, you will soon lose possession of all territories beyond the River."

Berean Standard Bible

We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

American Standard Version

We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 4:16 presents a pivotal moment in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem, capturing the calculated political machinations of the Jewish adversaries. In a letter to King Artaxerxes I, these opponents, primarily Samaritans and other regional peoples, warn the Persian monarch that if the city of Jerusalem and its walls are rebuilt, he will lose all revenue and control over the vital Trans-Euphrates province. This verse encapsulates their strategy of fear-mongering and appeal to imperial self-interest, aiming to halt the divinely ordained work of rebuilding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 4 is a crucial chapter detailing the persistent opposition faced by the Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem. After their initial offer to assist in temple rebuilding was rejected (Ezra 4:1-3), the adversaries shifted to direct obstruction, discouraging the people and hiring counselors to frustrate their purpose (Ezra 4:4-5). This chapter then presents a chronological interlude, detailing various letters sent to Persian kings to halt the work. Ezra 4:6 mentions a letter to Ahasuerus (Xerxes), and Ezra 4:7-23 focuses on a detailed accusation sent to Artaxerxes I, which includes the specific warning found in Ezra 4:16. This letter successfully led to a royal decree halting the work (Ezra 4:21-23), a setback that lasted until the second year of Darius (Ezra 4:24), underscoring the immediate impact of such political maneuvering. The narrative then returns to the time of Darius in Ezra 5, where the temple rebuilding finally resumes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra 4:16 unfold during the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC), a period after the initial return under Cyrus and the completion of the temple under Darius I. The Persian Empire was a vast, highly organized dominion, divided into satrapies for administrative and taxation purposes. "This side the river" refers to the satrapy of Trans-Euphrates (Abar Nahara), encompassing all lands west of the Euphrates River, including Judah. This region was strategically and economically vital, providing significant tribute and resources to the Persian treasury. For the adversaries, a rebuilt Jerusalem with fortified walls represented not merely a religious revival but the re-establishment of a politically independent entity, posing a direct threat to Persian imperial control and, more importantly, to their own local dominance and influence. Their appeal to Artaxerxes was a shrewd exploitation of the king's vested interest in maintaining stability and maximizing revenue from his provinces.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 4:16 powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent opposition to God's work** and His people. From the moment of return, the exiles faced external resistance designed to thwart divine purposes. Secondly, it showcases the insidious nature of **political manipulation and slander**. The adversaries did not argue on religious grounds but employed fear-mongering, accusing the Jews of rebellion and financial threat to the empire, a tactic often used against God's people (see [Nehemiah 6:5-7](/nehemiah/6-5 "Nehemiah 6:5-7 - Sanballat's False Accusations")). Thirdly, despite the temporary success of these tactics, which led to the work being halted for a significant period (as noted in [Ezra 4:24](/ezra/4-24 "Ezra 4:24 - The Work Halted")), the overarching narrative of Ezra ultimately affirms **God's sovereignty amidst obstacles**. The divine plan for restoration would ultimately prevail, demonstrating that human opposition, however formidable, cannot ultimately frustrate God's purposes (as seen in [Ezra 6:1-12](/ezra/6 "Ezra 6 - Darius's Decree and Completion of the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Certify (Aramaic, _yedi'a'_):** This term conveys the sense of making something known with certainty, informing, or causing to know. It emphasizes the formal, official, and seemingly authoritative nature of the adversaries' communication to the king. They present their warning not as mere speculation but as an undeniable truth, lending weight to their accusations.
* **No portion (Aramaic, _lak_):** Literally meaning "nothing to you" or "no part for you," this phrase implies a complete loss of benefit, revenue, or tribute. It directly targets the king's financial interests and control. The adversaries are warning that if Jerusalem is rebuilt, the king will lose all economic and administrative claim over this valuable region.
* **This side the river (Aramaic, _'abar nahara'_):** This is the technical term for the Persian satrapy of Trans-Euphrates, encompassing the territory west of the Euphrates River. By specifying this region, the adversaries underscore the vast geographical and strategic importance of the area from which the king would supposedly lose his "portion." It highlights the high stakes they are presenting to Artaxerxes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We certify the king that":** This opening establishes the authoritative and urgent tone of the letter. The adversaries present themselves as loyal subjects providing crucial intelligence to the monarch.
* **"if this city be builded [again], and the walls thereof set up":** This clause identifies the specific actions the adversaries are opposing. While the temple was the initial focus of rebuilding, the emphasis here is on the city itself and, crucially, its defensive walls. Rebuilding walls was a clear sign of political autonomy and military strength, a direct challenge to imperial control.
* **"by this means thou shalt have no portion":** This is the core threat. The adversaries directly link the rebuilding efforts to a catastrophic loss for the king. "No portion" implies a complete cessation of tribute, taxes, and political authority from the region.
* **"on this side the river":** This specifies the geographical and administrative scope of the threatened loss. It grounds the abstract threat in a concrete, vital province of the Persian Empire, making the warning more immediate and impactful for King Artaxerxes.

#### Literary Devices
The adversaries' letter, culminating in Ezra 4:16, masterfully employs several potent literary devices to achieve its persuasive aim. **Hyperbole** is evident in the claim that the king would have "no portion" if Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt; while a fortified city might reduce immediate control, a complete loss of all revenue was an exaggeration designed to incite maximum alarm. This is coupled with a shrewd **Appeal to Self-Interest**, directly targeting the king's financial and political concerns rather than engaging in any moral or religious debate. The entire letter functions as a form of **Propaganda** or **Slander**, presenting the Jewish people as inherently rebellious and a threat to imperial stability, thereby manipulating the king's perception of the returning exiles. Furthermore, the strength and clarity of their argument in this verse serve as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the temporary success of their efforts, as the work was indeed halted by royal decree (Ezra 4:24).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 4:16 serves as a powerful biblical example of the persistent opposition faced by God's people when engaged in His redemptive work. This human resistance, often cloaked in political or economic terms, frequently masks a deeper spiritual antagonism against God's kingdom. Just as the adversaries sought to frustrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem, so too does spiritual darkness conspire against the advancement of God's purposes throughout history. Yet, the narrative of Ezra, like the broader biblical story, ultimately affirms God's unwavering sovereignty, demonstrating that no human or demonic opposition can ultimately thwart His plans for His people and the establishment of His kingdom. The temporary setback in Ezra 4:24 only highlights the eventual triumph of God's will, as seen in the temple's completion under Darius.

* [Nehemiah 4:7-8](/nehemiah/4-7 "Nehemiah 4:7-8 - Opposition to Nehemiah's Wall Building")
* [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalm/2-1 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Nations Rage Against God's Anointed")
* [Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Counsel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 4:16 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that engagement in God's work often invites significant opposition, which may not always manifest as overt persecution but can take the form of political pressure, false accusations, economic threats, or social ostracism. Just as the adversaries appealed to the king's self-interest, so too can worldly systems and values subtly or overtly resist the advance of God's kingdom. This passage calls us to spiritual discernment, recognizing that behind human obstacles often lies a spiritual battle. It encourages perseverance in faith, reminding us that temporary setbacks or delays do not signify God's abandonment or the failure of His plans. Rather, they test our resolve and deepen our reliance on His ultimate sovereignty. We are called to trust that God will accomplish His purposes, even when human opposition seems insurmountable, and to continue building "walls" of righteousness, truth, and justice in a world that often resists them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what forms might opposition to God's work manifest in our lives, churches, or communities today?**
* **How can we discern whether resistance is merely human friction or a spiritual attack against God's purposes?**
* **What "walls" (e.g., spiritual disciplines, community building, evangelism) is God calling you to build, and what potential opposition might you anticipate?**
* **How does the temporary halting of the work in Ezra 4:24, followed by its eventual completion, encourage you when facing delays or setbacks in your own endeavors for God?**

### FAQ
**What does "this side the river" mean in Ezra 4:16?**

Answer: "This side the river" (Aramaic: _'abar nahara'_) refers to the satrapy, or province, of Trans-Euphrates within the vast Persian Empire. This administrative division encompassed all the lands west of the Euphrates River, including Judah, Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine. It was a strategically vital and economically rich region. The adversaries' warning to King Artaxerxes was that if Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt, he would lose all "portion"—meaning revenue, tribute, and political control—from this significant province. This was a direct threat to the king's treasury and imperial authority.

**Did King Artaxerxes believe the accusations and halt the work?**

Answer: Yes, the letter from the adversaries was effective. Ezra 4:21-23 records that King Artaxerxes issued a decree to halt the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. The work on the city and its walls was indeed stopped by force, and this cessation lasted for a significant period, until the second year of the reign of King Darius I (Ezra 4:24). This demonstrates the immediate success of the adversaries' political manipulation, though it was a temporary setback in God's overarching plan for His people.

**How does the rebuilding of the city walls relate to the temple rebuilding efforts in Ezra?**

Answer: Initially, the primary focus of the returning exiles was the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 3). However, the adversaries quickly understood that a rebuilt Temple alone was not the extent of Jewish aspirations. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's city and its defensive walls, as highlighted in Ezra 4:16, signified a move towards re-establishing political autonomy and security. A fortified city could potentially become a center of rebellion against Persian rule, or at least a powerful regional entity that would challenge the adversaries' own local influence. Thus, their opposition escalated from merely frustrating the Temple work to directly accusing the Jews of sedition by focusing on the city and its walls, presenting it as a direct threat to the king's authority and revenue.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The opposition faced by the Jewish exiles in rebuilding Jerusalem, culminating in the political machinations of Ezra 4:16, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual conflict surrounding the building of God's eternal city and kingdom. Just as the adversaries sought to prevent the restoration of the physical Jerusalem, so too does the spiritual adversary, Satan, relentlessly oppose the building of Christ's church. Jesus Himself declared, "[I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")". The "no portion" threat to Artaxerxes finds its ultimate counterpoint in Christ's unshakeable sovereignty; He will never lose His "portion"—His redeemed people—whom He purchased with His own blood. He assures His followers, "[My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand](/john/10-27 "John 10:27-29 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")". While earthly kingdoms may rise and fall, and human opposition may temporarily delay God's work, Christ's finished work on the cross guarantees the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. The heavenly Jerusalem, the New Creation, will ultimately descend, a city "[whose builder and maker is God](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The City with Foundations")", where "[the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")". All opposition will ultimately be silenced, and God's people will dwell securely in the city He has built, where "[God himself will be with them as their God](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")".

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 4:24

For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

Ezra 4:20

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.

2 Samuel 8:3

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.