Ezra 7 21

Ezra 7:21 kjv

And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

Ezra 7:21 nkjv

And I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, issue a decree to all the treasurers who are in the region beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, may require of you, let it be done diligently,

Ezra 7:21 niv

Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you?

Ezra 7:21 esv

"And I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers in the province Beyond the River: Whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, requires of you, let it be done with all diligence,

Ezra 7:21 nlt

"I, Artaxerxes the king, hereby send this decree to all the treasurers in the province west of the Euphrates River : 'You are to give Ezra, the priest and teacher of the law of the God of heaven, whatever he requests of you.

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 21 Meaning

King Artaxerxes of Persia issues a universal and binding command to all treasury officials in the satrapy "beyond the river" (Trans-Euphrates). This royal decree explicitly states that any request made by Ezra—identified definitively as the priest and expert scribe of the law pertaining to the God of heaven—must be fulfilled immediately and without delay. This extraordinary royal endorsement provided Ezra with full financial and logistical backing to carry out his divinely appointed mission of rebuilding, teaching, and enforcing God's law among the returned exiles in Judah, underscoring the King's serious intent behind his mandate.

Ezra 7 21 Context

Ezra 7:21 is embedded within a pivotal section of the Book of Ezra, specifically King Artaxerxes' detailed decree issued in his seventh year (458 BC). Ezra chapter 7 marks a new phase in the post-exilic restoration, transitioning from the rebuilding of the temple (chapters 1-6) to the re-establishment of the Jewish community under the Mosaic Law. This particular verse forms a crucial part of the royal letter (Ezra 7:12-26) which grants Ezra extensive authority to lead a second wave of exiles back to Jerusalem. The historical context is the vast Persian Empire, where a policy of supporting local customs and religions was often employed to maintain stability and control, a policy initiated by Cyrus the Great. Artaxerxes' decree, therefore, represents not just a king's personal benevolence but a strategic governmental endorsement of the religious and social re-structuring in Judah, framed by divine providence allowing His people to re-establish their identity and worship. This specific verse empowers Ezra by commanding Persian provincial treasuries to provide him with all necessary financial and material resources without question, emphasizing the King's serious intent behind his mandate.

Ezra 7 21 Word analysis

• And I, Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree: The personal pronoun "I" highlights the king's supreme personal authority and the absolute nature of his command. This decree carries the full, binding weight of Persian imperial power, demonstrating an act of direct royal will.

• to all the treasurers (גִּזְבְּרַיָּא / gizbarayya'): This Aramaic word, derived from Persian, refers to "treasury officials" or "stewards." It designates the specific individuals responsible for disbursing funds from the extensive imperial treasury. Addressing "all" of them underscores the widespread scope of the decree across the designated region.

• which are beyond the river (עֲבַר נַהֲרָה / 'avar nahara'): Literally meaning "across the river," this geographical term refers to the satrapy of Trans-Euphrates, the region west of the Euphrates River. This pinpoints the specific administrative and geographical area under the treasurers' jurisdiction, affirming the decree's direct applicability to Jerusalem and the province of Judah.

• that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily (אַסְפַּרְנָא / asparna'):

  • Ezra the priest: Signifies his sacred Aaronic lineage, which was essential for leading temple service and maintaining ritual purity, directly connecting him to Israel's foundational covenant and worship practices.
  • the scribe (סָפְרָא / sof'ra'): More than a mere copyist, this term indicates an expert scholar, interpreter, and authoritative teacher of the Law. Ezra's profound proficiency in the Torah granted him both the moral and legal authority necessary to implement God's commands within the Jewish community. This title is crucial for the future development of scribal tradition in Judaism.
  • of the law of the God of heaven: This is the Aramaic reference to the Torah of Yahweh. "God of heaven" is a title for the Lord God frequently employed in the post-exilic period, particularly in contexts involving foreign powers or official imperial documents. It served to convey respect and recognition for Israel's supreme deity by non-Israelites without necessarily adopting the specific monotheistic nuances of Israelite theology. This enabled pragmatic diplomatic and administrative interaction, affirming the divine origin and ultimate authority of the Law that Ezra was appointed to teach and enforce.
  • shall require: Implies not just a general budget or allocation, but specific, direct, and itemized requests from Ezra. The treasurers were commanded to act promptly and decisively upon each of his demands.
  • it be done speedily (אַסְפַּרְנָא / asparna'): This significant adverb, also of Persian origin, means "with diligence," "promptly," or "without delay." Its inclusion emphatically highlights the urgency and non-negotiable nature of the king's command, ensuring that no bureaucratic obstacles or procrastination would hinder Ezra's divinely appointed mission.

• Words Group Analysis:

  • "Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river": This entire opening clause underscores the leveraging of supreme imperial authority to facilitate Ezra's mission. It precisely defines the far-reaching scope of the royal command (universal within the specified region) and explicitly names the direct recipients. It powerfully demonstrates how God orchestrates events through human decrees.
  • "Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven": This potent descriptive clause functions as Ezra's complete credentials, firmly establishing his unique and multifaceted authority rooted in both religious lineage (as a priest), intellectual mastery (as a scribe), and divine appointment ("of the law of the God of heaven"). This multi-faceted title commands inherent respect and cooperation from both the Jewish community and Persian officials.
  • "whatsoever... shall require of you, it be done speedily": This phrase encapsulates the core command, mandating not just compliance, but immediate, comprehensive, and complete compliance. The inclusive nature of "whatsoever" combined with the imperative "speedily" signifies unconditional and unhindered support, specifically designed to remove any potential bureaucratic delays or objections, thus underscoring the king's firm endorsement and the critical importance attached to Ezra's divinely ordained work.

Ezra 7 21 Bonus section

The remarkable scope of Artaxerxes’ decree in Ezra 7, which goes beyond financial provisions (Ezra 7:21) to include exemption from tribute for certain temple personnel (Ezra 7:24) and empowering Ezra to appoint judges and enforce laws among the Jewish populace (Ezra 7:25-26), highlights a shrewd and intentional political strategy by the Persian Empire. This was not simply an act of personal kindness but a deliberate imperial policy to delegate local governance and maintain stability among its diverse conquered peoples through respected indigenous leaders. By supporting Ezra’s religious mission, Artaxerxes secured the loyalty of the Jewish community within his vast domain. This intertwining of political pragmatism and divine sovereignty underscores how God can orchestrate seemingly secular actions for His spiritual ends. It further reinforces the New Testament principle that all governing "authorities that exist have been established by God" (Rom 13:1), demonstrating that even non-believing rulers can be instruments in the advancement of God's sovereign kingdom plans.

Ezra 7 21 Commentary

Ezra 7:21 stands as a powerful testament to the providential hand of God actively working through secular authority to advance His redemptive purposes for His people. It reveals the extraordinary extent of King Artaxerxes’ support for Ezra's mission, transcending mere permission to become an active mandate for unconditional financial and logistical assistance. The king's unambiguous command to "all the treasurers" throughout the vast Trans-Euphrates region underscores the universality and binding nature of this imperial decree. Ezra's detailed identification as "the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven" granted him a unique blend of sacred and scholarly authority, which the Persian court respected as essential for maintaining order and loyalty among its Jewish subjects. The specific inclusion of "God of heaven" signifies a respectful, albeit politically pragmatic, recognition of Yahweh, allowing Persian policy to align, perhaps unknowingly, with divine purposes. The emphasis on "speedily" is critical, as it pre-emptively disarms any bureaucratic resistance, ensuring that vital resources for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the re-establishment of the Mosaic Law would be readily and swiftly available. This verse profoundly illustrates that God's overarching plan can indeed unfold even through the decrees of powerful pagan rulers, unequivocally demonstrating His sovereignty over all earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to His people's spiritual restoration and covenant fulfillment. Practically, it encourages believers to trust in God's provision, often manifesting through unexpected means, and emphasizes the importance of diligent and prompt action in carrying out God's will.