Ezra 7:11
This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that Ezra wasn't just a priest, but specifically a "scribe of the words of the commandments," emphasizing his role as an interpreter and teacher of God's law. It suggests his expertise went beyond mere knowledge to actively explaining both the literal meaning and the profound significance of God's statutes to a people who had lost touch with them. This implies his mission was deeply educational, restoring understanding as much as observance.
King Artaxerxes is granting Ezra, a priest and highly skilled scribe of God's law, official permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. This decree, meticulously detailed in the following verses, outlines the king's generous provisions for the temple and the religious community, empowering Ezra to restore proper worship and governance among the people. Ezra is not just a copyist, but a wise interpreter and teacher, ready to re-establish the knowledge and practice of God's commands among the Jewish exiles.
Imagine a world leader issuing a formal decree, giving you official authority. This is exactly what King Artaxerxes does for Ezra, but it's not just any decree.
This isn't just a letter; it's a royal firman, a personal decree from the Persian king granting Ezra significant authority. It's a private document, a powerful endorsement of Ezra's mission. This legal backing from a foreign king underscores the importance and legitimacy of Ezra's return to Jerusalem and his task of restoring God's Law.
Ezra is described with two key titles. But what did these roles truly entail in his day, especially when linked together?
Ezra is called both 'priest' and 'scribe.' While his priestly lineage is important, his role as a 'scribe' here is emphasized and expanded. It wasn't just about copying texts; it was about deep understanding and explanation. He was a 'scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes.' This means he was learned not only in the written Law but also in its meaning and application, tasked with teaching and expounding God's Word to a people who had largely lost their way.
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Understand the original words
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A designated religious official who ministers at the altar, represents the people before God, and performs sacrifices and rituals as established in the Mosaic Law.
sopher · Hebrew Noun
One who is skilled or trained in the study, copying, and interpretation of sacred documents or law; in a biblical context, often an expert in the Torah.
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
The authoritative, revealed instructions or ethical guidelines given by God to His people, intended to govern their conduct, worship, and relationship with Him.
choq · Hebrew Noun
God’s established ordinances, decrees, or regulations that prescribe specific behaviors or practices for the covenant community.
The decree from Artaxerxes I to Ezra wasn't just a royal order; it was a vital credential, empowering Ezra to re-establish religious and civil order among the returned exiles after their time in Babylon, highlighting the complex relationship between Persian imperial power and Jewish religious restoration.
c. 486-465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I
Xerxes I, often identified with Ahasuerus in the book of Esther, reigned during a period of Persian expansion and consolidation.
c. 465-424 BC— this verse
Reign of Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes I succeeded his father Xerxes I. His reign is significant for the events involving Ezra and later Nehemiah.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Return
King Artaxerxes I issues a decree empowering Ezra to return to Jerusalem with Jewish exiles, bringing treasures and religious artifacts.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah's Commission
Later in Artaxerxes I's reign, Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king, receives permission and resources to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
This passage highlights Ezra's role in expounding the Law, mirroring the description in Ezra 7:11 that he was a scribe 'of the words of the commandments' and their statutes.
Psalm 119:105This verse speaks of God's word as a lamp and a light, aligning with Ezra's expertise and dedication to understanding and teaching the Lord's statutes as described in Ezra 7:11.
2 Timothy 3:16This passage emphasizes the divine inspiration and usefulness of Scripture, providing a theological backdrop to Ezra's deep knowledge and authoritative role concerning God's commandments as noted in Ezra 7:11.
Malachi 2:7This verse states that the lips of a priest should guard knowledge and people should seek instruction from his mouth, underscoring the importance of Ezra's role as a knowledgeable priest and scribe as presented in Ezra 7:11.
pulpitEzra 7:11: "Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel."
Verse 11. - The copy of the letter that the king... gave to Ezra. This decree, as already observed, was a private firman, one copy of which only was made, which was presented to Ezra, and was his authority for doing certain things himself, and for requiring certain acts of others. The priest. T…
gillEzra 7:11: "Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel."
Now this is the copy of the letter that the King Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest,.... This title relating to his office is justly given him, since he was the son of an high priest, and lineally descended from Aaron, as the above account of his pedigree shows: the scribe, even a scribe of th…
This verse highlights that Ezra wasn't just a priest, but specifically a "scribe of the words of the commandments," emphasizing his role as an interpreter and teacher of God's law. It suggests his expertise went beyond mere knowledge to actively explaining both the literal meaning and the profound significance of God's statutes to a people who had lost touch with them. This implies his mission was deeply educational, restoring understanding as much as observance.
King Artaxerxes is granting Ezra, a priest and highly skilled scribe of God's law, official permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. This decree, meticulously detailed in the following verses, outlines the king's generous provisions for the temple and the religious community, empowering Ezra to restore proper worship and governance among the people. Ezra is not just a copyist, but a wise interpreter and teacher, ready to re-establish the knowledge and practice of God's commands among the Jewish exiles.
King Artaxerxes is granting Ezra, a priest and highly skilled scribe of God's law, official permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. This decree, meticulously detailed in the following verses, outlines the king's generous provisions for the temple and the religious community, empowering Ezra to restore proper worship and governance among the people. Ezra is not just a copyist, but a wise interpreter and teacher, ready to re-establish the knowledge and practice of God's commands among the Jewish exiles.
"This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel:" — This verse highlights that Ezra wasn't just a priest, but specifically a "scribe of the words of the commandments," emphasizing his role as an interpreter and teacher of God's law. It suggests his ex…
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