Bible Strands
Ezra 4:20
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Persian official writing to King Artaxerxes cites a past administrative search to argue that Jerusalem has a long history of rebellion against imperial rulers. The report is delivered at the moment the king must decide whether to permit the restoration of a politically sensitive city.
The words — תַּקִּיפִין (ta.ki.Fin) = strong and עֲבַ֣ר ('a.Var) = beyond. The text uses these terms to describe past rulers who held military and fiscal control over Jerusalem and the territory west of the Euphrates.
The thread — The verse references imperial control of the Euphrates corridor, echoing Genesis 15:18 and 1 Kings 4:21 where the river marks the extent of promised or actual royal dominion, while 1 Chronicles 18:3 records a separate military campaign to establish that same eastern border. These passages collectively map the geographic scope of ancient Near Eastern sovereignty.
Why it lands — The text establishes that Jerusalem’s political status was determined by foreign empires, not local initiative. A reader must recognize that the rebuilding request directly challenges established imperial tax and security structures.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
- 1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
- 1 Chronicles 18:3 As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River.
- Psalms 72:8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
- Joshua 1:3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses.
- 1 Kings 4:24 For Solomon had dominion over everything west of the Euphrates—over all the kingdoms from Tiphsah to Gaza—and he had peace on all sides.
- 1 Chronicles 18:6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Chronicles 18:13 He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
- 1 Chronicles 19:19 When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.
- 2 Chronicles 9:14 not including the revenue from the merchants and traders. And all the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.