SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:14
Ahora porque de la sal del palacio estamos salados, no nos es justo ver el menosprecio del rey; por tanto hemos enviado para hacerlo saber al rey,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ezra 4:14
Verse 14. Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace] More literally: Now because at all times we are salted with the salt of the palace; i.e., We live on the king's bounty, and must be faithful to our benefactor. Salt was used as the emblem of an incorruptible covenant; and those who ate bread and salt together were considered as having entered into a very solemn covenant. These hypocrites intimated that they felt their conscience bound by the league between them and the king; and therefore could not conscientiously see any thing going on that was likely to turn to the king's damage. They were probably also persons in the pay of the Persian king.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace , etc.] Have posts under the king, to which salaries were annexed, by which they were supported, and which they had from the king’s exchequer; or “salt” f49 , as in the original, some places of honour and trust formerly being paid in salt; hence, as Pliny observes, such honours and rewards were called “salaries”: and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour ; to see any thing done injurious to his crown and dignity, to his honour and revenues, when we are supported by him; this would be ungrateful as well as unjust: therefore have we sent and certified the king ; of the truth of what is before related; and, for the further confirmation of it, refer him to the ancient records of the kingdom, as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 tru 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 consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he see things as they are __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כען 3705 כל 3606 קבל 6903 די 1768 מלח 4416 היכלא 1965 מלחנא 4415 וערות 6173 מלכא 4430 לא 3809 אריך 749 לנא למחזא 2370 על 5922 דנה 1836 שׁלחנא 7972 והודענא 3046 למלכא׃ 4430
