Ezra 4:18

The letter On the word used here see note on Ezra 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 Nehemiah 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 Ezra 4:23. The reading was performed by servants; cf. Esther 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.