Ezra 4:21 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

Now give the order to make these men stop their work, and don't let this city be rebuilt until I give you further instructions.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The Persian king is ordering a halt to Jerusalem's reconstruction until he can review the situation more carefully.

📚 Historical Context

In the book of Ezra, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were attempting to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple amid Persian rule. Local enemies opposed this rebuilding by sending letters to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of potential rebellion and unrest. As a result, the king issued this decree to halt the construction temporarily until he could provide further instructions.

Explore Similar Verses

Acts 15:16

After all this, I'm coming back to rebuild David's kingdom that's been broken down. I'm going to take those ruins and make them whole again, better than before.

Isaiah 9:10

The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with cut stone blocks. The sycamore trees have been chopped down, but we will replace them with cedar trees.

Ezra 5:15

And he said to him, 'Take these vessels and go carry them to the temple in Jerusalem, and let God's house be rebuilt in its proper place.'

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