Ezra 4:17

Artaxerxes responds

17 The king sent this answer: Greetings to Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and elsewhere in the province Beyond the River.

Ezra 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:17

Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to
Shimshai the scribe
This affair, upon examination, being found to be of importance, the king of Persia thought fit to send an answer to the above letter, which was doing them an honour, and gave them the power and authority they wished to have:

and to the rest of their companions that dwelt in Samaria;
in the kingdom, province, and cities of Samaria:

and unto the rest beyond the river;
the river Euphrates, the rest of the nations before mentioned, ( Ezra 4:9 Ezra 4:10 ) .

Peace, and at such a time:
that is, all health and prosperity

Ezra 4:17 In-Context

15 so that you may search the records of your ancestors. You will discover in the records that this is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that it has been in revolt over a long period of time. As a result, this city was laid waste.

16 We tell the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.

17 The king sent this answer: Greetings to Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and elsewhere in the province Beyond the River.

18 The entire letter that you sent to us has been read in translation for me.

19 I issued an order; they searched and discovered that this city has revolted against kings over a long period of time. There has been much rebellion and revolt there.