Ezra 7:6 kjv
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Ezra 7:6 nkjv
this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Ezra 7:6 niv
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Ezra 7:6 esv
this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Ezra 7:6 nlt
This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Ezra 7 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezra 7:9 | For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. | Divine enablement for the journey |
| Ezra 7:28 | ...and I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. | God's empowering strength |
| Ezra 8:18 | And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding... | God's provision of capable helpers |
| Ezra 8:22 | ...for the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. | God's good hand on those who seek Him |
| Ezra 8:31 | And the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and from such as lay in wait by the way. | God's protection from danger |
| Neh 2:8 | And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber... And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me. | God moves kings for His servants (Nehemiah) |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions |
| Isa 44:28 | That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. | God uses pagan kings for His plans |
| Isa 45:1 | Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden... | God appoints and enables kings |
| Phil 4:19 | But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. | God provides for His servants' needs |
| Deut 6:6-7 | And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children... | Importance of knowing and teaching God's Law |
| Psa 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | The guiding power of God's Word |
| Isa 8:20 | To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. | God's Law as the ultimate standard |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness... | Divine origin and purpose of Scripture |
| Mal 2:7 | For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth... | Priests' duty to preserve and teach the Law |
| Neh 8:1-3 | And all the people gathered themselves together... And they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. | Ezra's role in public reading and teaching of the Law |
| Neh 8:8 | So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. | Interpreting and making the Law clear |
| Luke 24:44 | ...that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. | Christ as the fulfillment of the Law |
| Gen 39:2-3 | And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man... And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. | God's blessing leads to success in secular realm |
| Acts 7:9-10 | And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions... | God's favor and deliverance |
| Ezra 1:1 | Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia... | God stirring hearts for His purposes |
| Isa 55:11 | So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please... | The efficacy of God's Word |
Ezra 7 verses
Ezra 7 6 Meaning
Ezra 7:6 reveals Ezra as a priest and a deeply proficient scholar in the Law of Moses. Having journeyed from Babylon, his spiritual aptitude and dedication were so remarkable that he received favorable grants and permissions from King Artaxerxes for the work in Jerusalem. This exceptional favor was explicitly attributed to the empowering and guiding presence of the LORD his God upon him.
Ezra 7 6 Context
Ezra 7:6 serves as the primary introduction to Ezra, highlighting his character and divine commissioning for the important task ahead. The verse immediately precedes the account of his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem (vv. 7-9) and the decree issued by King Artaxerxes that empowered Ezra's mission (vv. 11-26). This sets the stage for Ezra's leadership in the spiritual and religious restoration of the Jewish community after their return from Babylonian exile.
Within the broader book of Ezra, chapter 7 initiates the second major phase of post-exilic return and restoration. The first six chapters focus on the return under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple. With Ezra's arrival, the focus shifts to the restoration of the people's adherence to the Mosaic Law and the re-establishment of a vibrant covenant community. Historically, this event occurs approximately 60 years after the temple was rebuilt, under the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia. Ezra's task was crucial because while the physical temple stood, the spiritual condition of the people needed revitalization, requiring a skilled and devout leader steeped in God's Word to guide them.
Ezra 7 6 Word analysis
- "Ezra" (עֶזְרָא - Ezrah): Meaning "help" or "the LORD helps." This name foreshadows his divinely ordained role in helping to restore the spiritual life of Israel. He is identified as a priest and a descendant of Aaron, giving him spiritual authority within the Israelite community.
- "went up from Babylon": "Went up" refers to the literal ascent from the lower geographical plain of Mesopotamia to the higher elevation of Jerusalem. More profoundly, it signifies the return from spiritual and physical captivity in Babylon, emphasizing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to bring His people back to the Promised Land.
- "a ready scribe" (סוֹפֵר מָהִיר - sofer mahir):
- "scribe" (סוֹפֵר - sofer): Originally a royal secretary or official, the role evolved during and after the exile to denote an expert in the Mosaic Law. This "scribe" was one who copied, preserved, studied, interpreted, and taught the sacred texts. It implies deep learning, meticulousness, and authoritative understanding of the Torah.
- "ready" (מָהִיר - mahir): This word signifies "quick," "skillful," "proficient," "diligent," or "expert." It goes beyond mere competence, suggesting an exceptional level of mastery and efficiency in handling the Law. Ezra wasn't just knowledgeable; he was exceedingly adept at applying and explaining it. The combined phrase indicates not just intellectual capacity but a deep practical fluency in God's Word, enabling him to teach and implement it effectively.
- "in the law of Moses": Refers specifically to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), which were believed to have been authored or received through Moses. This highlights the foundational nature and divine authority of Ezra's object of study and teaching – the very commandments and statutes given by God to Israel through His servant Moses.
- "which the LORD God of Israel had given": This phrase directly asserts the divine authorship and origin of the Law, establishing its supreme authority. It stands in contrast to man-made laws or pagan rituals. "LORD" (Yahweh) is God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging faithfulness, and "God of Israel" underscores His unique covenant relationship with His chosen people. This emphasizes that the Law is not a human invention but a divine revelation, setting the standard for their covenant relationship with God.
- "and the king granted him all his request": This refers to King Artaxerxes I, the powerful Persian ruler. It points to God's sovereign control over human authorities, even pagan kings. God inclined Artaxerxes' heart to favor Ezra's mission, granting him financial resources, protective escort, and necessary authority to carry out his plans for spiritual restoration. This shows divine intervention influencing human governance.
- "according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him": This is a key idiom, appearing multiple times in Ezra and Nehemiah, and central to understanding Ezra's success. It is a metaphorical expression for God's divine favor, active intervention, providential care, powerful guidance, enabling grace, and protection. It conveys that Ezra's achievements were not solely due to his own skill or Artaxerxes' benevolence but were entirely orchestrated and powered by God's direct involvement in Ezra's life and mission. It implies God’s providential empowering for service, enabling what might otherwise be impossible.
Ezra 7 6 Bonus section
- Ezra's Predecessor: While Zerubbabel focused on the physical restoration of the temple (Ezra 1-6), Ezra's arrival marked a distinct shift towards spiritual restoration, emphasizing adherence to the Law and the covenant, vital for establishing a holy community.
- Canonization Role: Traditional Jewish thought and various scholars credit Ezra as being instrumental in the collection, arrangement, and perhaps even the finalization of the Old Testament canon. His mastery and reverence for "the law of Moses" make this role entirely consistent with his character portrayal in this verse.
- Divine Empowerment: The repeated phrase "the hand of the LORD upon him" (seen also in Ezra 7:9, 7:28, 8:18, 8:22, 8:31, and Neh 2:8) is a consistent theme in Ezra-Nehemiah, consistently linking success and favor directly to God's supernatural enablement. It illustrates that spiritual ministry relies entirely on divine favor and strength, not human ingenuity alone.
Ezra 7 6 Commentary
Ezra 7:6 profoundly introduces Ezra as God's specially prepared instrument for Israel's post-exilic spiritual renewal. His designation as a "ready scribe in the Law of Moses" denotes a remarkable and unique mastery of God's divinely revealed Word, far beyond mere academic knowledge. He was not only learned but also exceptionally skilled in interpreting and applying it. Crucially, the verse attributes all his successes—from receiving royal approval to securing necessary provisions—not to his own merits or political savvy, but directly and repeatedly to "the hand of the LORD his God upon him." This powerful idiom signifies God's active favor, guiding hand, and empowering presence. It underscores divine providence: God actively working through chosen individuals, even moving the hearts of pagan kings, to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Ezra's life demonstrates that spiritual leaders require both deep immersion in God's Word and a tangible experience of God's empowering presence to fulfill their divine calling. This highlights the foundational principle that human effectiveness in God's service is ultimately God-dependent, demonstrating His sovereignty over all affairs, earthly and spiritual.