I, King Artaxerxes, decree to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, it must be provided promptly, I, King Artaxerxes, decreeThis phrase introduces King Artaxerxes I of Persia, who reigned from 465-424 BC. His decree is significant as it shows the Persian policy of supporting local customs and religions within their empire, which included the Jewish community. Artaxerxes' support for Ezra reflects the broader Persian strategy of maintaining control by allowing a degree of religious and cultural autonomy. to all the treasurers west of the Euphrates:
The "treasurers" were officials responsible for managing the financial resources of the Persian Empire in the region. The "west of the Euphrates" refers to the area known as "Beyond the River," which included the province of Judah. This geographical reference highlights the vastness of the Persian Empire and the administrative organization required to govern it. The Euphrates River was a significant boundary in the ancient Near East. Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven,
Ezra is identified with two roles: priest and scribe. As a priest, he was a descendant of Aaron, responsible for religious duties. As a scribe, he was an expert in the Law of Moses, emphasizing his authority in religious and legal matters. The "God of heaven" is a title used by Persian kings to acknowledge the supreme deity of the Jews, showing respect for their religion. This title also appears in other Persian decrees, such as those of Cyrus and Darius. may require of you,
This phrase indicates the authority given to Ezra to request resources and support from the local treasurers. It underscores the trust and responsibility placed upon him by the Persian king, allowing him to implement religious reforms and ensure the proper worship of God in Jerusalem. it must be provided promptly,
The urgency in fulfilling Ezra's requests reflects the importance of his mission. This command ensures that there are no delays in the restoration and maintenance of the temple services and the teaching of the Law. The prompt provision of resources highlights the king's commitment to supporting Ezra's work and the stability of the region. Persons / Places / Events 1. King ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who issued the decree allowing Ezra to return to Jerusalem and provided him with resources to restore the temple and teach the Law of God. 2. EzraA priest and scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, tasked with leading the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem and teaching the people God's laws. 3. Treasurers of Trans-EuphratesOfficials responsible for the financial and administrative affairs in the region beyond the Euphrates River, instructed to support Ezra's mission. 4. Trans-EuphratesA region within the Persian Empire, referring to the lands west of the Euphrates River, including parts of modern-day Syria and Israel. 5. The Law of the God of heavenRefers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which Ezra was to teach and enforce among the Israelites. Teaching Points Divine Providence through Secular AuthoritiesGod can use secular leaders to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Artaxerxes' support for Ezra. Believers should trust in God's sovereignty over all authorities. The Importance of God's LawEzra's mission underscores the centrality of God's Word in the life of His people. Christians should prioritize studying and living according to Scripture. Prompt ObedienceThe decree emphasizes promptness in fulfilling God's work. Believers should be diligent and timely in their service to God. Resource Provision for God's WorkJust as the treasurers were instructed to provide for Ezra, God equips His people with the necessary resources to fulfill His mission. Leadership and ResponsibilityEzra's role as a leader and teacher highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide others in understanding and applying God's Word. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the support of King Artaxerxes for Ezra's mission demonstrate God's sovereignty over earthly rulers, and how can this encourage us in our current context? 2. In what ways does Ezra's commitment to teaching the Law of God challenge us to prioritize Scripture in our daily lives? 3. What can we learn from the promptness required by Artaxerxes' decree about our own response to God's calling and commands? 4. How does the provision of resources for Ezra's mission reflect God's faithfulness in equipping us for the tasks He assigns? 5. Considering Ezra's role as a leader and teacher, how can we support and pray for our spiritual leaders today in their mission to teach and uphold God's Word? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also received support from King Artaxerxes for rebuilding Jerusalem, showing the king's favorable disposition towards the Jewish people and their God. Ezra 1The decree of Cyrus, which initiated the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple, parallels Artaxerxes' support for Ezra's mission. Deuteronomy 17The role of the scribe and teacher of the Law is rooted in the instructions given to Israel about the importance of knowing and following God's commandments. People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Across, Artaxerxes, Ar-ta-xerx'es, Beyond, Care, Decree, Diligence, Diligently, Euphrates, Ezra, Heaven, Heavens, Issue, Keepers, King's, Law, Money, Order, Orders, Priest, Provide, Province, Provinces, Require, Requires, River, Scribe, Speedily, Teacher, Trans, Treasurers, Whatever, WhatsoeverDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:1-21 7464 teachers of the law Ezra 7:21-22 4363 silver
5617 measures, liquid Ezra 7:21-23 4357 salt
4492 olive
4542 wheat Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleReading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 7:21 NIVEzra 7:21 NLTEzra 7:21 ESVEzra 7:21 NASBEzra 7:21 KJV
Ezra 7:21 Commentaries
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