Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.
Let the king know that the Jews who came from you to us have arrived in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and troublesome city, putting up its walls and repairing its foundations.
The writer is reporting to the king that the Jewish people have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding the city and its walls, describing it as rebellious and troublesome.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ezra, the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple under the Persian Empire, facing resistance from neighboring groups who saw this as a threat. These opponents wrote accusatory letters to the Persian kings, claiming the Jews were restoring a city historically associated with rebellion and potential uprising. This verse is part of one such letter to King Artaxerxes, aimed at stopping the construction to maintain regional stability.
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