Ezra 7 14

Ezra 7:14 kjv

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;

Ezra 7:14 nkjv

And whereas you are being sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your God which is in your hand;

Ezra 7:14 niv

You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.

Ezra 7:14 esv

For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand,

Ezra 7:14 nlt

I and my council of seven hereby instruct you to conduct an inquiry into the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, based on your God's law, which is in your hand.

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 14 Meaning

Ezra 7:14 indicates that Ezra's mission to Judah and Jerusalem was a direct royal commission from King Artaxerxes and his seven trusted counsellors. The core purpose of this mission was to thoroughly investigate and administer the Jewish community according to the very Law of God, which Ezra, as a scribe, possessed and expertly handled. It signifies divine provision operating through human governmental authority to restore God's standards among His people.

Ezra 7 14 Context

Ezra chapter 7 begins with Ezra's genealogy and qualifications as a priest and a "scribe skilled in the Law of Moses." The preceding chapters of Ezra focused on the return of the first wave of exiles under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the Temple. Chapter 7 introduces Ezra, a significant figure responsible for the spiritual and administrative restoration of the Jewish community in Jerusalem after the Temple's completion. The specific historical context is the seventh year of Artaxerxes I Longimanus' reign (c. 458 BC). King Artaxerxes issues a decree empowering Ezra for his journey and mission. Verse 14 is part of this formal decree issued by the Persian king. This verse specifically articulates the high-level endorsement and explicit mandate for Ezra's investigative and administrative work, centered entirely on the implementation and adherence to God's Law within the community in Judah and Jerusalem. It underscores that Ezra's authority was not self-assumed but divinely ordained and royally sanctioned, crucial for a Jewish leader operating within a foreign empire.

Ezra 7 14 Word analysis

• Forasmuch as thou art sent (כְּדִי שָׁלִיחַ אַנְתְּ, ke·di shaliach ant):

  • כְּדִי (kedi): "forasmuch as," "because," indicating the reason or purpose.
  • שָׁלִיחַ (shaliach): An Aramaic term meaning "one sent," an "envoy," "commissioner," or "representative." It carries the connotation of authority given by the sender. Ezra is not merely traveling; he is dispatched as an official emissary. In biblical thought, to be "sent" by God or an authoritative figure signifies a weighty commission (e.g., Moses sent by God, prophets sent by God). Here, it highlights his legitimate authority granted by the highest earthly power, serving God's ultimate plan.

• of the king (מִן־מַלְכָּא, min-malka):

  • מַלְכָּא (malka): The Aramaic word for "king." Specifically, Artaxerxes I. This highlights that Ezra's mission carries the full weight of royal authority. This king, a pagan ruler, is portrayed as instrumental in facilitating the divine plan, illustrating God's sovereignty over world leaders (Prov 21:1, Isa 45:1).

• and of his seven counsellors (וְשִׁבְעַת יָעֲטֺהִי, ve·shiv'at ya'atohi):

  • שִׁבְעַת (shiv'at): The number "seven," often denoting completeness or perfection in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts.
  • יָעֲטֺהִי (ya'atohi): From ya'at meaning "to counsel," thus "counsellors" or "advisers." This phrase refers to a specific body of elite, influential, and powerful advisors to the Persian king, likely holding key judicial or administrative roles. Their endorsement meant the decree was well-deliberated, comprehensive, and carried the strongest possible royal authority, leaving no room for dispute or challenge (compare with Esther 1:14). It signifies the highest level of royal authorization for Ezra's mission.

• to enquire (לְבַקָּרָא, levaqara):

  • לְבַקָּרָא (levaqara): An Aramaic infinitive meaning "to investigate," "to examine carefully," "to inquire thoroughly," or "to review." This is not a casual visit but an official inspection. Ezra is empowered to conduct a thorough inquiry into the religious and administrative state of the Jewish community. This includes examining adherence to the Law and administering justice according to it.

• concerning Judah and Jerusalem (עַל־יְהוּד וִירוּשְׁלֶם, al-Yehud virushlem):

  • יְהוּד (Yehud): The province of Judah, the region inhabited by the returning exiles.
  • יְרוּשְׁלֶם (Yerushlem): Jerusalem, the capital and religious center. This specifies the geographical scope of Ezra's authority and investigation. His focus is on the people and their spiritual capital.

• according to the law of thy God (בְּדָת אֱלָהָךְ, be·dat elahakh):

  • דָת (dat): An Aramaic loanword from Old Persian, meaning "law," "statute," or "decree."
  • אֱלָהָךְ (elahakh): "thy God" or "your God." This is crucial. It directly attributes the Law to Ezra's God, the God of Israel, YHWH. This phrase signifies that the standard and framework for Ezra's inquiry and subsequent administration are not arbitrary royal directives or human traditions, but the divine Torah. It underscores the ultimate divine authority underpinning Ezra's mission, even when executed under a pagan king's authority. This emphasis on "thy God" highlights the specific, covenantal relationship and unique divine revelation Ezra operated under.

• which is in thine hand (דִּי בִידָךְ, di biydak`):

  • דִּי (di): "which" or "that."
  • בִידָךְ (biydak): "in your hand," indicating possession and accessibility. For a scribe, this literally means the scroll(s) of the Law are in his physical possession, signifying his mastery, knowledge, and practical application of the Law. It implies both Ezra's personal competence (as a skilled scribe) and the tangible reality of the Law being his instrument of authority and truth (cf. Ezra 7:6).

Ezra 7 14 Bonus section

The decree given to Ezra, as seen in this verse, is a remarkable example of religious freedom and recognition of a minority religion granted by a powerful pagan empire. It shows that the Persian policy under Artaxerxes I was not about forced conversion but about empowering distinct ethnic/religious groups to live according to their own laws, provided it maintained social order and imperial loyalty. This serves as an encouraging precedent for believers living under secular governance. It demonstrates God's capacity to orchestrate circumstances within the secular world for the benefit and spiritual renewal of His people. The divine intent for Ezra's journey, though expressed through a royal decree, aligns perfectly with Ezra's own personal dedication to "study the Law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel" (Ezra 7:10). The secular decree became the providential means for fulfilling Ezra's spiritual calling.

Ezra 7 14 Commentary

Ezra 7:14 is a pivotal statement revealing the dual authority that sanctioned Ezra's crucial mission. On one hand, it confirms the unparalleled backing from the Persian imperial power, specifically from King Artaxerxes himself and his top seven counsellors. This grants Ezra enormous administrative and legal weight in the province of Judah. The detailed involvement of the seven counsellors (echoed in Esther 1:14) suggests this was not a whimsical decree but a well-considered and powerfully endorsed imperial mandate.

On the other hand, and more importantly from a biblical perspective, the verse explicitly states that the entire mission's purpose and guiding principle were "according to the law of thy God." This reveals the divine orchestration behind the royal decree. God moved the heart of a pagan king to empower His servant Ezra to enforce His divine statutes. This highlights God's sovereignty over world rulers (Proverbs 21:1), turning even the political machinery of an empire towards His salvific purposes for His people.

Ezra's role was not merely advisory; he was empowered "to enquire," meaning to officially investigate and ensure adherence to the Mosaic Law. His possession of the Law "in his hand" symbolized his authority, expertise, and direct source of divine truth. This commission marks a significant step in the spiritual restoration of Israel, moving beyond physical temple rebuilding to re-establishing the covenant community on the firm foundation of God's Word. The verse exemplifies how God often uses unlikely instruments, even secular authorities, to achieve His righteous will, calling His people back to Himself through faithful adherence to His commandments.