Ezra 4:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king warns the officials not to neglect his order, lest harm come to the royal interests.
What Does Ezra 4:22 Mean?
The king closes his letter with a stern charge: Take heed that ye fail not, do not be slack in carrying this out. He frames the urgency around the danger of damage to the kings, echoing the very fear the accusers had planted in his mind. The reply ends as it must, with the weight of imperial authority pressed firmly behind the command to stop.
The fear of loss can drive even the powerful to swift and forceful action. The king is anxious to protect his interests and urges haste against a tiny community of builders. How small the faithful can appear before the machinery of empire, and how easily a kingdom mobilizes against them. Yet the King of kings is never anxious, never hurried by fear of loss, for nothing can be taken from Him. His people rest under a throne that has nothing to protect and everything to give.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 4:22
What does Ezra 4:22 mean?
The king warns the officials not to neglect his order, lest harm come to the royal interests.