Ezra 4:13

13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute and toll, and the royal revenue will be reduced.

Ezra 4:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:13

Be it known now unto the king
And let it be seriously and thoroughly considered by him and his counsellors:

that if this city be builded, and its walls set up again, then will
they not pay toll, tribute, and custom;
being able to defend themselves against the king's forces, sent to reduce them to their obedience; these three words take in all sorts of taxes and levies on persons, goods, and merchandise:

and so thou shall endamage the revenue of the kings;
not only his own, but his successors';

this they thought would be a very striking and powerful argument with
him.

Ezra 4:13 In-Context

11 this is the copy of the letter which they sent to him: "To King Artaxerxes [from] your servants, the men of [the province] Beyond the River. And now,

12 be it known to the king that the Jews who have come up from near you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the wall and repairing the foundation.

13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute and toll, and the royal revenue will be reduced.

14 Now since we eat the salt of the palace and the dishonor of the king is not proper for us to see, we send and make [this] known to the king,

15 so that it may be investigated in the book of records of your ancestors. You will find in the book of records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and they have rebelled in its midst from ancient times. Because of that this city was destroyed.