Ezra 7:12
“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "king of kings" isn't just a boast; it reveals the immense, multi-kingdom empire the Persian ruler commanded, highlighting the vast reach of God's influence even through pagan powers. It also suggests that Ezra, a humble priest and scribe, is being addressed with an authority that acknowledges God as the ultimate sovereign over all earthly rulers.
This is the beginning of a formal letter from King Artaxerxes to Ezra, granting him permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. The king's grandiose title emphasizes his vast empire, setting the stage for the significant authority and provisions he's bestowing upon Ezra, the respected scribe of God's Law. The letter then launches into official greetings and statements before outlining the specific royal decrees and support Ezra will receive.
Ever feel like you're facing a mountain of a problem, or a person with overwhelming authority? This verse opens with a title that speaks of ultimate power.
When Artaxerxes addresses Ezra, he uses the title 'king of kings.' This wasn't just a boast; it reflected the reality of the Persian Empire, which encompassed many smaller kingdoms and rulers.
What's the highest compliment you could receive? For Ezra, it wasn't about political power or wealth, but about his dedication to God's Word.
The text calls Ezra 'a priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven.' Some scholars suggest the word translated as 'perfect peace' in some older versions might actually describe Ezra himself.
Understand the original words
elah shemayya · Hebrew/Aramaic Noun phrase
A title used for God emphasizing His sovereignty, transcendence, and authority over the entire created order, particularly common in post-exilic writings.
The title 'king of kings' wasn't just for show; it reflected the vast Persian Empire's structure, where local rulers often retained power under the supreme Persian authority. This regal decree to Ezra carried immense weight, signifying royal endorsement for the restoration of Jewish religious life.
c. 550 BC
Cyrus the Great Establishes the Persian Empire
Cyrus unites the Medes and Persians, conquering the Neo-Babylonian Empire and initiating a new era of imperial rule. This sets the stage for later decrees regarding the Jewish people.
539 BC
Cyrus Issues Edict of Restoration
Following his conquest of Babylon, Cyrus allows exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the first return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 465 BC - 424 BC
Reign of Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes I reigns as the fourth Persian king. His reign is marked by a period of relative peace but also growing unrest in some parts of the empire, including Judea.
c. 458 BC— this verse
Artaxerxes I Commissions Ezra
King Artaxerxes I issues a formal decree and letter to Ezra, granting him authority and resources to return to Jerusalem and reestablish the observance of the Law of God among the Jewish community.
This passage shows a similar 'king of kings' title used by Nebuchadnezzar, highlighting the imperial claims of these ancient rulers, which Artaxerxes likely adopted.
Ezra 1:2This verse mentions the 'God of heaven,' a title also used by Cyrus, showing that 'the God of heaven' was a recognized divine power even to pagan kings who had interactions with His people.
Nehemiah 2:1This passage describes Artaxerxes speaking to Nehemiah, providing another instance of royal communication from this Persian king to his subjects, though with a different purpose.
Ezekiel 26:7Similar to Ezra 7:12, this verse also uses the 'king of kings' title for Nebuchadnezzar, underscoring the grand titles and power attributed to dominant rulers in the ancient Near East.
gillEzra 7:12: "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time."
Artaxerxes, king of kings,.... Having many kings and kingdoms subject and tributary to him; for this was not merely a proud haughty title which the eastern kings (p) assumed, particularly the Persians; for after Cyrus they were so in fact, who took this title also, and had it put on his sepulchral monument,"Here I lie, Cyrus, king of kings (q);''this title w…
pulpitEzra 7:12: "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time."
Verse 12. - Artaxerxes, king of kings. "King of kings, kkshayathiya khshaya-thiyanam," an equivalent of the modern shahinshah, was a recognised title of the Persian monarchs, and is found in every Persian inscription of any considerable length (Rawlinson, 'Cuneiform Inscriptions of Persis,' vol. 1 pp. 195, 271, 279, 287, 292, etc.). It was a title that had b…
The phrase "king of kings" isn't just a boast; it reveals the immense, multi-kingdom empire the Persian ruler commanded, highlighting the vast reach of God's influence even through pagan powers. It also suggests that Ezra, a humble priest and scribe, is being addressed with an authority that acknowledges God as the ultimate sovereign over all earthly rulers.
This is the beginning of a formal letter from King Artaxerxes to Ezra, granting him permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. The king's grandiose title emphasizes his vast empire, setting the stage for the significant authority and provisions he's bestowing upon Ezra, the respected scribe of God's Law. The letter then launches into official greetings and statements before outlining the specific royal decrees and support Ezra will receive.
This is the beginning of a formal letter from King Artaxerxes to Ezra, granting him permission and resources to return to Jerusalem. The king's grandiose title emphasizes his vast empire, setting the stage for the significant authority and provisions he's bestowing upon Ezra, the respected scribe of God's Law. The letter then launches into official greetings and statements before outlining the specific royal decrees and support Ezra will receive.
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"“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now" — The phrase "king of kings" isn't just a boast; it reveals the immense, multi-kingdom empire the Persian ruler commanded, highlighting the vast reach of God's influence even through pagan powers. It a…
