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Ezra 4:19

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And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and [that] rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

And I {H4481} commanded {H7761}{H2942}, and search {H1240} hath been made, and it is found {H7912} that this {H1791} city {H7149} of {H4481} old {H5957} time {H3118} hath made insurrection {H5376} against {H5922} kings {H4430}, and that rebellion {H4776} and sedition {H849} have been made {H5648} therein.

I ordered a search made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings, that rebellion and sedition have been fostered there;

I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.

And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

Commentary

Ezra 4:19 KJV records King Artaxerxes' response to accusations leveled against the Jews who were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. After ordering a historical investigation, the king confirms that Jerusalem indeed had a long-standing reputation for rebellion and insurrection against previous monarchies.

Context

This verse is part of a crucial section in the book of Ezra, detailing the opposition faced by the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Adversaries, primarily the Samaritans and other peoples settled in the region, wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes, falsely accusing the Jews of planning a rebellion if Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt (as seen in Ezra 4:12-16). King Artaxerxes, taking these accusations seriously, commanded a search of the royal archives in Babylon and Ecbatana. The findings, as stated in this verse, appeared to corroborate the accusers' claims from a historical perspective, leading to the king's decree to halt the rebuilding work.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Records: The verse highlights the significance of historical archives and official records in ancient empires, which were consulted for political decisions.
  • Persistent Opposition: It demonstrates the ongoing struggle against God's people and their work. Even legitimate historical facts can be twisted or used out of context to hinder divine purposes. This echoes a recurring theme throughout biblical history, where God's people face resistance (e.g., Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts).
  • Jerusalem's Reputation: The city of Jerusalem, while holy to God, had a documented history of political unrest and revolts against foreign rulers, particularly during the Assyrian and Babylonian periods. This past made the accusations credible in the eyes of the Persian king.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong terms like "insurrection," "rebellion," and "sedition." These words emphasize the severe nature of the charges found in the historical records. The original Aramaic words convey notions of "stirring up strife," "rising up against," and "making revolt." These terms collectively paint a picture of a city known for its defiant spirit against established authority, a reputation that the adversaries exploited to their advantage.

Practical Application

Ezra 4:19 serves as a reminder that:

  • Truth can be weaponized: Even factual historical information can be used to create a damaging narrative and impede righteous endeavors. It underscores the importance of understanding the full context and motive behind accusations.
  • Opposition is expected: Those engaged in God's work should anticipate opposition, which may come in various forms, including legal challenges or misrepresentations of the past. Trusting in God's ultimate plan, even when earthly authorities seem to hinder it, is key (Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord).
  • God's sovereignty prevails: While this decree temporarily halted the work, God ultimately ensured the temple's completion later in the book of Ezra, demonstrating His sovereign control over human events and political machinations (Ezra 6:14-15).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 25:2 (3 votes)

    ¶ [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.

  • 2 Kings 18:7 (3 votes)

    And the LORD was with him; [and] he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

  • Deuteronomy 13:14 (2 votes)

    Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, [if it be] truth, [and] the thing certain, [that] such abomination is wrought among you;

  • Ezra 5:17 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, if [it seem] good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which [is] there at Babylon, whether it be [so], that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

  • Ezra 6:2 (2 votes)

    And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that [is] in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein [was] a record thus written:

  • 2 Kings 24:20 (2 votes)

    For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

  • Ezra 4:15 (2 votes)

    That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city [is] a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.