עזרא, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ח

When the Persian king responds to the message sent to his court, he formally acknowledges the receipt and his full understanding of the document. The primary approach among commentators is that he is referring to the official letter itself [רש״י, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or to the specific words written within it [מצודת דוד]. However, a distinct perspective suggests he is specifically acknowledging an exact replica of the message. In this view, the language implies something equal or identical, indicating that the king received a precise copy of the original dispatch [מלבי״ם].

The king then confirms how the contents were presented to him. The widely accepted understanding is that the document was read aloud in his presence in a clear and explicit manner [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, his statement can imply that the text was translated. According to this understanding, the Persian king likely did not bother to learn Aramaic. Instead, he relied on skilled officials who read the foreign document and translated it directly into his native language [ביאור שטיינזלץ].