Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 4:18
The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
18. The letter ] On the word used here see note on Ezr 4:8.
hath been plainly read before me ] So the R.V. The margin of the R.V. gives ‘translated’ as the alternative rendering for ‘plainly’, and this agrees with the general later usage of the word. The same word in Hebrew occurs in Neh 8:8, where the R.V. renders ‘distinctly’, and its margin, ‘with an interpretation’.
‘Plainly’ (Vulg. manifeste) would imply that the allusions &c. of the Samaritan letter had been faithfully explained, not merely that the oral reading of the letter had been distinct.
There is not much to be said for the rendering ‘translated’. A Persian king would be acquainted with the official dialect of his satrapies; a translation of an Aramaic letter would not be required.
before me ] Very possibly the king himself could not read. But see Ezr 4:23. The reading was performed by servants; cf. Est 6:1.
This expression favours the view that the king is claiming to himself credit for having heard the letter and had it carefully explained to him.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hath been … read – It is doubtful if the Persian monarchs could ordinarily read. At any rate, it was their habit to have documents read to them (compare Est 6:1). This is still the ordinary practice in Eastern courts.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The letter which ye sent unto us,…. The plural number is used, being now become courtly for kings thus to speak of themselves:
hath been plainly before me; by such that understood both the Syrian and Persian languages; the letter was written in the Syrian language, and the king being a Persian, it was necessary it should be interpreted and explained to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ezr 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
Ver. 18. Hath been plainly read before us ] This in the general was commendable; but he should have reserved (as Alexander used to do) , one ear free, and have heard both parties.