KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
We want to inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are put back up, you will lose control of all the territory on this side of the river.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The enemies of Jerusalem are warning the Persian king that rebuilding the city will lead to rebellion and loss of his authority in the region.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from a letter written by Samaritan officials to King Artaxerxes of Persia around 458 BC. They were opposing the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon and were trying to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple. The 'river' refers to the Euphrates River, and 'this side of the river' was an official Persian administrative district that included Jerusalem.
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