Ezra7
English Standard Version
1Now , in the of of , the of , of , of ,
2 of , of , of ,
3 of , of , of ,
4 of , of , of ,
5 of , of , of , of the —
6 . He was a in the of the Lord, the of , had , and the him that he , for the of the Lord his was him.
7And there also to , in the of the , of the of , and of the and , the and , and the .
8And Ezra to in the , which was in the of the .
9 on the day of the he to from , and on the day of the he to , for the of his was him.
10 had his to the of the Lord, and to it and to his and in .
11 is a of the to the , the , a in of the of the Lord and his :
12 , of , to the , the of the of the of . . And
13 a that the of or their or in my , who to to , may you.
14 you are the and his to and according to the of your , which is in your ,
15and also to the and the and his have to the of , is in ,
16with the and you shall in the of , and the of the and the , for the of their is in .
17 , then, you shall with , , and , with their and their , and you shall the of the of your is in .
18 you and your to with the of the and , you may , according to the of your .
19The have been you for the of the of your , you shall the of .
20And is for the of your , it to you to , you may it of the .
21And , the , a to the in the province the : the , the of the of the of , of you, let it be with all ,
22up of , of , of , of , and how .
23 is the of , let it be in for the of the of , his the of the and his .
24We also shall be to , , or of the , the , the , the , the , or other of this of .
25And , , according to the of your is in your , and may the in the province the , such as the of your . And those who do them, you shall .
26 will the of your and the of the , let , for for for of his or for .
27 be the Lord, the of our , such a thing as into the of the , to the of the Lord is in ,
28and who me his the and his , and before the . I , the of the Lord my was me, and I to with .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezra 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Ezra goes up to Jerusalem. (1–10). The commission to Ezra. (11–26). Ezra blesses God for his favour. (27, 28).
vv1-10
Ezra went from Babylon to Jerusalem, for the good of his country. The king was kind to him; he granted all his requests, whatever Ezra desired to enable him to serve his country. When he went, many went with him; he obtained favour from his king, by the Divine favour. Every creature is that to us, which God makes it to be. We must see the hand of God in the events that befal us, and acknowledge him with thankfulness.
vv11-26
The liberality of heathen kings to support the worship of God, reproached the conduct of many kings of Judah, and will rise up in judgment against the covetousness of wealthy professed Christians, who will not promote the cause of God. But the weapons of Christian ministers are not carnal. Faithful preaching, holy lives, fervent prayers, and patient suffering when called to it, are the means to bring men into obedience to Christ.
vv27-28
Two things Ezra blessed God for: 1. For his commission. If any good appear in our hearts, or in the hearts of others, we must own that God put it there, and bless him; it is he that worketh in us, both to will and to do that which is good. 2. For his encouragement: God has extended mercy to me. Ezra was a man of courage, yet he ascribed this not to his own heart, but to God's hand. If God give us his hand, we are bold and cheerful; if he withdraw it, we are weak as water. Whatever we are enabled to do for God and those around us, God must have all the glory.
Key Words
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מַלְכוּת: a rule; concretely, a dominion
אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׁתָּא: Artachshasta (or Artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings
מֶלֶךְ: a king
פָּרַס: Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants
עֶזְרָא: Ezra, an Israelite
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
שְׂרָיָה: Serajah, the name of nine Israelites
עֲזַרְיָה: Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites
חִלְקִיָּה: Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites
Cross References
Ezra 7Confirms the Persian custom of 'seven counsellors' or chief nobles who saw the king's face.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illuminates the technical biblical office of a 'scribe' as a doctor of the law.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates Ezra's practice of teaching and explaining the words of the law in Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Seraiah as the high priest executed by Nebuchadnezzar, establishing Ezra's priestly lineage.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates how God sovereignly puts purposes into the king's heart to favor His people.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Chronologically links Artaxerxes to the kings mentioned in the building decree.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Traces Ezra's lineage through Phinehas, who was granted the covenant of everlasting priesthood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the lofty title 'king of kings' used by supreme Eastern monarchs in scripture.
Supported by JFB
Connects Artaxerxes' demand for sacrifices with previous decrees to avert divine wrath on the realm.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the signature phrase 'according to the good hand of his God upon him.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the gathering of voluntary freewill offerings from Babylon's inhabitants for Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels historical exemptions from taxes or tribute granted to sacred ministers in other empires.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides the complete Aaronic genealogy, from which Ezra's lineage is abbreviated here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Demonstrates practical execution of royal/priestly decrees via confiscation of property in Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB