Ezra 4:18 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

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 Esther 6:1). This is still the ordinary practice in Eastern courts.

Ezra 4:18

18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.