Ezra 4 14

Ezra 4:14 kjv

Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

Ezra 4:14 nkjv

Now because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king's dishonor; therefore we have sent and informed the king,

Ezra 4:14 niv

Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king,

Ezra 4:14 esv

Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king,

Ezra 4:14 nlt

"Since we are your loyal subjects and do not want to see the king dishonored in this way, we have sent the king this information.

Ezra 4 verses

Ezra 4 14 Meaning

Ezra 4:14 states the self-proclaimed motivation of the adversaries of Judah for writing to King Artaxerxes. They claim that because they are sustained by the king's palace, they have a sworn duty of loyalty, making it improper for them to stand idly by and witness anything that would dishonor, harm, or diminish the king's interests. Therefore, driven by this claimed loyalty, they feel compelled to send this information to the king. The verse highlights their shrewdness in framing their opposition as an act of service to the crown, leveraging the king's honor as justification for their request to cease the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Ezra 4 14 Context

Ezra 4:14 is part of a formal letter sent to King Artaxerxes by Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates (Ezra 4:8-10). This letter serves as a legal complaint and petition aimed at stopping the Jewish community's reconstruction of the walls and city of Jerusalem, which had recommenced under Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Ezra 4:1-5).

Chapter Context: Ezra Chapter 4 vividly portrays the persistent opposition faced by the returning Jewish exiles as they attempted to rebuild the Temple and then later the walls of Jerusalem. From initial subtle attempts to participate in the rebuilding to outright hostile actions and slander, the chapter details the tactics used by their adversaries. These include discouraging the people (Ezra 4:4), bribing officials (Ezra 4:5), and ultimately writing official letters to Persian kings (Ahasuerus/Xerxes in Ezra 4:6, and Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7-24) to accuse the Jews and halt their work. The letter containing verse 14 is pivotal as it temporarily succeeds in achieving the adversaries' objective.

Historical Context: The events described occurred during the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which ruled over Judea following the Babylonian exile. Loyalty to the Great King was paramount across the vast empire, and any hint of rebellion, tax evasion, or destabilization was taken seriously. The adversaries' use of the "eat the salt of the palace" idiom (common in the ancient Near East, ANE) was a shrewd legal and diplomatic maneuver. It implied that they were loyal subjects dependent on the king, bound to alert him to potential threats, thus presenting their self-serving opposition as a dutiful act of allegiance for the benefit of the crown and imperial revenue.

Ezra 4 14 Word analysis

• Now (כְּעַן - kə‘an): Aramaic conjunction/adverb, indicating a continuation or consequence from what precedes. In this context, it marks the shift from identifying themselves to stating their reason for writing.

• because (בִּילַמָּא - bîlāmmā): Aramaic particle, meaning "forasmuch as," "because of." It introduces the foundational reason or justification for their subsequent action.

• we are supported by the palace / we eat the salt of the palace (מֶלַח בִּלְלַג בְּדַאשֵׂגַנּוּ / מִלְחָא דְדָרְמָא - milḥā dəḏarmā):

  • מִלְחָא (milḥā): Aramaic for "salt." In ANE culture, salt symbolized covenant, enduring loyalty, and dependence, especially in connection with sustenance provided by a superior. To "eat the king's salt" meant to be in his pay, under his protection, and bound by obligation. It implies receiving sustenance, privileges, or employment from the king's house.
  • דְדָרְמָא (dəḏarmā): Aramaic, meaning "of the palace" or "of the government." It refers specifically to the royal administration or authority.
  • This phrase is an idiom signifying sworn allegiance, dependency, and a resulting obligation of loyalty due to receiving provision from the king's household or government. Those who "ate the king's salt" were, in a sense, his dependents and thus owed him complete fealty and a duty to protect his interests.

• and it is not proper (וְלָא שָׁפֵר לָנָא - wəlā šāp̄êr lānā):

  • שָׁפֵר (šāp̄êr): Aramaic verb, meaning "to be pleasing," "to be proper," "to be seemly," or "to be fitting." It denotes what is ethically or functionally correct and appropriate.
  • The phrase implies a strong sense of moral or customary obligation that something would be completely unacceptable for them to allow.

• for us to see (לְמֶחֱזֵה - ləmeḥězê): Aramaic infinitive, "to see." This isn't just about literal sight but about passively observing or permitting something to occur. To "see" something harmful and do nothing implied complicity or dereliction of duty for loyal subjects.

• the king’s dishonor (מְהֵימְנוּתָא דְמַלְכָּא - məhêměnûṯā dəmaləkkā):

  • מְהֵימְנוּתָא (məhêměnûṯā): This Aramaic term is rich in meaning, translated variably as "faithfulness," "loyalty," "honor," but also potentially "desolation," "damage," "nakedness," or "bareness." In this context, given the idiom of "salt," it most accurately means "that which relates to the king's loyalty/trust/interests," implying any detriment or injury to his status, prestige, revenue, or security. It suggests something that would undermine the king's standing or benefit.

• therefore (כְּבֶן־וּמַאֶבֵא־אַוִס - kəbên-wūma’ebê-ʾawis / לָהֵן - lāhên): Aramaic conjunctive adverb meaning "therefore," "so," "on account of this." It signals a conclusion or direct consequence derived from the stated premise.

• we have sent and informed the king (שְׁלַחְנָא וְהוֹדַעְנָא לְמַלְכָּא - šəlakhnā wəhôḏa‘nā ləmaləkā):

  • שְׁלַחְנָא (šəlakhnā): Aramaic perfect verb, "we have sent."
  • וְהוֹדַעְנָא (wəhôḏa‘nā): Aramaic perfect verb, "and we have informed/made known."
  • This indicates the direct action taken, framed as a dutiful act of reporting based on their stated obligation.

Words-group analysis:

• "Now because we are supported by the palace, and it is not proper for us to see the king’s dishonor": This entire phrase sets up the antagonists' primary, publicly stated justification. It cleverly weaponizes the principle of imperial loyalty. They portray themselves not as jealous locals, but as conscientious servants of the empire, whose hands are forced by the potential harm to the king's interests, particularly his revenue from tribute.
• "Therefore we have sent and informed the king": This completes the causal chain. Their supposed loyalty obliges them to act, and this letter is the necessary action to prevent the king's supposed "dishonor." It highlights the calculated and bureaucratic nature of their opposition, moving beyond mere local squabbles to a direct appeal to the highest authority, framing their complaints in terms understandable and compelling to a Persian monarch.

Ezra 4 14 Bonus section

• The Aramaic of Ezra 4-7 reflects the diplomatic and administrative language of the Persian Empire in that region, making the documents within them feel authentic to their period.
• The phrase "eat the salt" resonates with the biblical concept of "covenant of salt" (Num 18:19; 2 Chr 13:5), signifying an unbreakable, lasting agreement. While used here by adversaries with self-serving intent, it echoes the weight of solemn oaths and loyalties, contrasting the feigned loyalty with the true loyalty God desires.
• This verse showcases a common tactic of opposition against God's people throughout history: to elevate perceived secular duty or self-interest above the spiritual mission, often by fabricating accusations or twisting facts to undermine legitimate work.
• The success of this letter in halting the building for a significant period (until the time of Darius I, Ezra 5:1-2) underscores the real-world impact of political maneuvering and bureaucratic delays on God's work. However, ultimately, God's purpose prevailed, demonstrating that human obstacles are temporary in the face of divine will.

Ezra 4 14 Commentary

Ezra 4:14 unveils the insidious strategy of those opposing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Their plea to King Artaxerxes is cloaked in the language of dutiful allegiance. By invoking the potent ancient Near Eastern idiom, "eating the salt of the palace," they presented themselves as indispensable, loyal servants, bound by custom and provision to protect the king's interests. This phrase denoted not merely a stipend but a profound bond of fealty and dependence. To "see the king's dishonor" (his loss of revenue, control, or prestige) without acting would be a grave dereliction of this duty, risking severe punishment or loss of royal favor.

The opponents shrewdly capitalized on the Persian imperial administration's emphasis on stability and revenue. Their genuine motivation was deeply rooted animosity towards the Jewish people and their divine commission (as revealed elsewhere in Ezra and Nehemiah), but their letter masters the art of political communication. They recast their malice as responsible statesmanship, accusing the Jews of rebellious intentions and financial endangerment to the crown, thus making their selfish agenda appear as service to the king. This verse is a powerful illustration of how external forms of righteousness or loyalty can mask internal malevolence, reminding us that not all acts claiming to uphold authority truly serve noble ends. Discernment is crucial in evaluating motivations, particularly when actions taken in the name of order or tradition impede God's people or His purposes.