Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezra 4:12

"Be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations." — Ezra 4:12 (ASV)

Virulence and craft and exaggeration are stamped on every sentence of the letter. It only says, however, that they are preparing the walls thereof, and joining the foundations. Afterwards, however, the charge is modified in Ezra 4:13 and Ezra 4:16.