Ezra 7 26

Ezra 7:26 kjv

And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Ezra 7:26 nkjv

Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be death, or banishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment.

Ezra 7:26 niv

Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

Ezra 7:26 esv

Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment."

Ezra 7:26 nlt

Anyone who refuses to obey the law of your God and the law of the king will be punished immediately, either by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment."

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 26 Meaning

Ezra 7:26 outlines the authority granted by King Artaxerxes to Ezra for establishing and enforcing God's law and the king's law in the province of Judah. It dictates that anyone, Jew or gentile, residing in Judah, who disobeys either the divine Law given by God through Moses or the royal decree, must face swift judgment. The prescribed penalties range from the most severe, capital punishment, to other forms of significant disciplinary action such as forced exile or expulsion, financial ruin through asset seizure, or incarceration. This decree underscored Ezra's role not just as a religious leader but as an empowered royal administrator tasked with bringing order and conformity to law within the post-exilic community.

Ezra 7 26 Context

Ezra chapter 7 introduces Ezra, a priest and scribe, described as "skilled in the Law of Moses." He sets out from Babylon with a decree from King Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus, 465–424 BC) to Jerusalem in the seventh year of the king's reign. This return occurs about 60 years after the first return under Zerubbabel and Joshua, and 13 years before Nehemiah's mission. Ezra's primary purpose, as stated in Ezra 7:10, was to "study the Law of the Lord, to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." The king's decree (Ezra 7:11-26), a significant historical document written in Aramaic, empowers Ezra to establish divine order, administer the Law of God, and adorn the temple. Verse 26, specifically, functions as the legal underpinning of Ezra's authority, ensuring compliance through a comprehensive range of punitive measures. It highlights the serious commitment of the Persian Empire to allow and support the religious and civil autonomy of the Jewish community under their own God-given law, provided it didn't undermine imperial stability. This arrangement demonstrates God's sovereign hand in moving even pagan kings to fulfill His purposes for His people.

Ezra 7 26 Word analysis

• And whosoever will not do: This phrase establishes the broad scope of the decree's applicability. It is universally binding within the Jewish province, applying to anyone who fails to obey the laws, irrespective of their origin or status.
• the law of thy God: (Aramaic: data elahak) This refers to the Torah, the Mosaic Law revealed by God. The use of "thy God" by a Persian king indicates an acknowledgment and respect for the God of Israel and His divine precepts, which is a testament to God's providence influencing a pagan ruler.
• and the law of the king: (Aramaic: wədata malkāʾ) This refers to the edicts and regulations issued by King Artaxerxes. It underscores the dual allegiance required – to God's Law (as now supported by the king) and directly to the imperial authority. The blending of divine and civil law provides a robust legal framework for the province.
• let judgment be executed speedily upon him: (Aramaic: dînâ yithevôn lemʻbaḏ nâdaḏ) The term nâdaḏ means "swiftly," "without delay." This highlights the imperative for prompt and decisive enforcement. It indicates that justice should be immediate to ensure deterrence and maintain order, reflecting Persian administrative efficiency and sternness.
• whether it be unto death: (Aramaic: mot) This signifies capital punishment, the most severe penalty. It indicates that some offenses against the laws (both God's and the king's) were considered extremely grave, warranting the ultimate forfeiture of life.
• or to banishment: (Aramaic: sherût) This term refers to "uprooting" or "extirpation," meaning expulsion or exile. This could imply removal from the community, removal from the province, or even forfeiture of citizenship and associated rights.
• or to confiscation of goods: (Aramaic: onas nikesîn) This translates to "a fine on property" or "forced payment concerning goods." It denotes the seizure of one's possessions, a significant financial penalty aimed at punishing offenders and possibly compensating for damages or covering administrative costs.
• or to imprisonment: (Aramaic: esūrîn) This refers to confinement or detention. It represents a common method of limiting an individual's freedom and served as a form of punitive restraint.

Words-group analysis:

• "the law of thy God, and the law of the king": This phrase encapsulates the core legal dualism established by the decree. It reflects Artaxerxes' pragmatic recognition that enforcing the Jews' own divine law would ensure loyalty, order, and stability within his empire, while simultaneously reinforcing his own imperial authority. The king's alignment with God's law provides legitimacy and power to Ezra's mission.
• "death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment": This comprehensive list details the full spectrum of punishments in the Persian legal system, from the ultimate penalty of death to lesser but still severe sanctions like banishment, financial ruin, or deprivation of liberty. This exhaustive list shows the serious intent behind the decree and provides Ezra with a wide range of legal recourse for offenses. It indicates that the failure to "do the law" had clear, graduated consequences designed to ensure compliance.

Ezra 7 26 Bonus section

The royal decree in Ezra 7, especially verse 26, is often seen as a remarkable example of divine providence. God, through the influence on King Artaxerxes' heart, ensures that the rebuilding of the community in Jerusalem is not just a physical restoration (temple and city walls) but a spiritual and legal re-establishment. This recognition of "the Law of thy God" by a gentile monarch served to protect the returned exiles and their religious practices under imperial authority, a critical safeguard in the often volatile Persian Empire. It provided Ezra the necessary judicial leverage to counteract any internal or external opposition to the re-implementation of God's statutes. This historical precedent highlights the biblical principle that even secular powers can be instruments in God's hands to fulfill His redemptive plans for His people.

Ezra 7 26 Commentary

Ezra 7:26 is a pivotal verse in Ezra's commission. It doesn't just grant Ezra permission to return; it empowers him with direct imperial authority to establish and enforce both divine and royal law within Judah. This demonstrates a unique interplay between secular and religious authority, where a pagan king, Artaxerxes, recognizes and lends the force of his empire to the "law of thy God." This support was not necessarily an act of religious conversion but a politically astute move to bring stability and order to a distant province by allowing its inhabitants to govern themselves according to their sacred traditions, provided it contributed to imperial peace. Ezra's task was therefore immense: he was a spiritual reformer with civil power. The "speedily" execution of judgment reflects the firm and non-negotiable nature of Persian justice. The range of specified penalties (death, banishment, confiscation, imprisonment) signifies the gravity of disobedience and Ezra's full judicial latitude, enabling him to deal comprehensively with violations that threatened the integrity of the community and the divine order. This decree underscores that true spiritual revival must often be accompanied by adherence to God's revealed laws, which then form the foundation for a well-ordered society, often intersecting with civil governance.