Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 4:20
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
20. over all countries] R.V. the country. Literally, ‘over all beyond the river’. The words refer to the warning of the Samaritan letter (Ezr 4:16) that the king might lose the W. bank of the Euphrates.
toll, tribute, and custom ] R.V. custom, tribute, and toll. See note on Ezr 4:13.
‘The mighty kings’, here referred to, have been identified with Menahem (2Ki 15:16) and Josiah (2Ch 34:6-7; 2Ch 35:18). It is, however, needless to restrict the allusion of the present verse to those whose names appear in the Inscriptions or are involved in the ascertained history of Assyria and Babylon. Israelite traditions, oral or written, would probably have been accessible to those whom the king appointed to search into the past history of the race. The tradition of the golden age of David’s rule and Solomon’s empire would be rehearsed with pride by the captive Jew. The remoteness of the period mattered little. It was the boast of this people that their kings had once ruled over all the country W. of the Euphrates. This information coupled with the names of, perhaps, one or two of the other great kings, such as Omri, Jeroboam II., Menahem, Uzziah, Jotham and Josiah would be pretext enough for speaking of ‘the mighty kings’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mighty kings … – If this reference can scarcely have been to David or Solomon (see marginal reference), of whom neither the Babylonian nor the Assyrian archives would be likely to have had any account – it would probably be to Menahem 2Ki 15:16 and Josiah (2Ch 34:6-7; 2Ch 35:18).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. Beyond the river] That is, the Euphrates. Both David and Solomon carried their conquests beyond this river. See 2Sa 8:3, c., and 1Kg 4:21, where it is said, Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river (Euphrates) unto the land of the Philistines and unto the borders of Egypt.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river,…. As David and Solomon; and the account of these they had in their records, see 2Sa 8:1
and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them; as appears from the places referred to; and this served to strengthen the insinuation made to the king, that if these people were suffered to go on building, he would lose his tribute and taxes in those parts.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) Mighty kings.David and Solomon, and some few kings down to Josiah, had extended their sway and made nations tributary (2 Samuel 8; 1 Kings 10). The earlier kings names would perhaps be referred to historically, though not immediately connected with Persian annals.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Mighty kings also over Jerusalem Reference is especially to Solomon, who reigned over all kingdoms between Egypt and the Euphrates, and received tribute from them. 1Ki 4:21. David’s conquests had also extended to the Euphrates. 2Sa 8:3.
Toll, tribute, and custom See on Ezr 4:13.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all [countries] beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
Ver. 20. Beyond the river ] Euphrates, the boundary of Solomon’s empire, 1Ki 4:21 ; 1Ki 4:24 , as it was also promised, Gen 15:18 Exo 23:31 Deu 11:24 Jos 1:4 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mighty kings. Such as David and Solomon.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
mighty kings: 1Ki 4:21, 1Ki 4:24, 1Ch 18:3, Psa 72:8
beyond: Ezr 4:16, Gen 15:18, Jos 1:3, Jos 1:4
toll: 1Ch 18:6, 1Ch 18:13, 1Ch 19:19, 2Ch 9:14, 2Ch 9:23, 2Ch 9:24, 2Ch 17:11, 2Ch 26:7, 2Ch 26:8
Reciprocal: Gen 17:6 – kings Num 24:7 – his king Deu 15:6 – thou shalt reign Deu 19:8 – General 1Ch 17:8 – made thee Ezr 6:8 – the king’s Ezr 7:21 – beyond the river Neh 5:4 – the king’s tribute Lam 1:1 – great Eze 16:13 – and thou didst Eze 19:11 – she had Rom 13:6 – pay