(This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "on this side the river" is actually meant to be understood from the King's perspective, referring to the lands beyond the great Euphrates River from his vantage point in Persia. This clever phrasing positions the letter writers as subjects of the king in a distant province, subtly emphasizing their loyalty and separation from the perceived threat in Jerusalem.
(This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and their initial efforts to rebuild the temple, adversaries from the surrounding regions sent a letter to King Artaxerxes. This letter, presented here as a copy, was penned by officials who referred to themselves as servants from the province "Beyond the River" (meaning west of the Euphrates from the Persian perspective). Their aim was to stir up the king against the returning Jews and their rebuilding efforts, framing them as a potential threat to the empire.
Ever notice how where you say you're from can change how people hear you? The way these opponents of Jerusalem's rebuilding identify themselves is a masterclass in political maneuvering.
The phrase "the men of the province Beyond the River" (literally, "beyond the River") is more than just a geographical marker. For the Persian court, this was the standard way to refer to the region west of the Euphrates River, which included territories like Syria, Phoenicia, and importantly, Judea. By using this official designation, the writers immediately place themselves within the established administrative framework of the Persian Empire. It signals that they are loyal subjects reporting on matters within the king's domain, positioning their concerns as administrative issues rather than the grumblings of a local faction. This sophisticated framing aims to ensure their letter is taken seriously at the highest levels.
Some words in ancient texts are like puzzles! The phrase 'and at such a time' has baffled scholars for centuries. What does it add, and why is it so debated?
The final part of the opening salutation, often translated as 'and at such a time,' is notoriously difficult to pin down. Scholars have proposed various meanings, from a formal closing ('and so forth,' 'et cetera') to an emphasis on the current moment ('and at this time').
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Regardless of the precise nuance, this phrase, along with the formal 'Thy servants,' sets a deferential and official tone, meant to appeal to the king's authority and sense of order.
Understand the original words
melek · Aramaic Noun
The chief ruler of an empire or kingdom, often viewed as the final earthly authority. In biblical history, kings are held accountable to God, though they often represent the political powers of their age.
This letter to Artaxerxes I, sent by officials from the province Beyond the River, is a direct response to the ongoing efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, a contentious issue during this period of Persian rule.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports Judeans, including members of the royal family and elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, absorbing the Neo-Babylonian Empire into the Achaemenid Persian Empire. This ushers in a new era for Judean exiles.
538 BC
Cyrus' Edict for Return
Cyrus allows the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This leads to the first wave of returnees under Zerubbabel.
c. 515 BC
Second Temple Completed
Under governors Zerubbabel and Joshua, and spurred by prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Second Temple is completed, fulfilling the initial phase of restoration.
c. 465-424 BC— this verse
Reign of Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes I reigns as king of Persia. During his long rule, tensions rise regarding the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem and the political stability of the province.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The priest and scribe Ezra leads a second major delegation of Judeans from Babylon to Jerusalem, empowered by the king to re-establish Jewish law and order.
This passage shows a similar instance where Jewish leaders communicated with Assyrian officials in their own language (Aramaic, referred to as Syrian tongue here) to keep it separate from the general populace, highlighting the strategic use of language in political and religious matters.
Nehemiah 1:1This verse is the beginning of a letter to the same king, Artaxerxes, providing a parallel example of how individuals addressed the Persian monarch and presented their concerns.
Ezra 7:12This verse directly quotes a decree from Artaxerxes to Ezra, demonstrating the king's authority and the formal manner in which such communications were conducted in the Persian Empire.
Daniel 2:4Similar to Ezra's letter, this verse records a communication in Aramaic to the Babylonian king, showing a pattern of using this language for official correspondence with the ruling empire.
clarkeEzra 4:11: "This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time."
And at such a time - The word וכענת ucheeneth has greatly perplexed all commentators and critics. The versions give us no light; and the Vulgate translates it et dicunt salutem, "and they wish prosperity." Some translate it and so forth; and our translators supposed that it referred to the date, which however is not specified, and…
henryEzra 4:6-24: "And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem."
4:6-24 It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the cons…
The phrase "on this side the river" is actually meant to be understood from the King's perspective, referring to the lands beyond the great Euphrates River from his vantage point in Persia. This clever phrasing positions the letter writers as subjects of the king in a distant province, subtly emphasizing their loyalty and separation from the perceived threat in Jerusalem.
Following the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and their initial efforts to rebuild the temple, adversaries from the surrounding regions sent a letter to King Artaxerxes. This letter, presented here as a copy, was penned by officials who referred to themselves as servants from the province "Beyond the River" (meaning west of the Euphrates from the Persian perspective). Their aim was to stir up the king against the returning Jews and their rebuilding efforts, framing them as a potential threat to the empire.
Following the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and their initial efforts to rebuild the temple, adversaries from the surrounding regions sent a letter to King Artaxerxes. This letter, presented here as a copy, was penned by officials who referred to themselves as servants from the province "Beyond the River" (meaning west of the Euphrates from the Persian perspective). Their aim was to stir up the king against the returning Jews and their rebuilding efforts, framing them as a potential threat to the empire.
"(This is a copy of the letter that they sent.) “To Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now" — The phrase "on this side the river" is actually meant to be understood from the King's perspective, referring to the lands beyond the great Euphrates River from his vantage point in Persia. This cl…
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Last reviewed October 2026