Ezra 7:14
For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights that Ezra is sent not just by the king, but by the king and his seven counselors, suggesting a significant political backing for his mission. This detail emphasizes that Ezra's authority and the importance of his task are recognized even at the highest levels of the Persian empire, validating his role as an enforcer of God's Law.
Ezra has just received a royal decree from King Artaxerxes authorizing his return to Jerusalem. This verse explains the official capacity in which Ezra is sent back: not just as a priest, but as an appointed commissioner with specific authority from the king and his inner circle of seven advisors. His task is to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem by applying the divine law, a responsibility he is uniquely equipped for, as the law is readily available and familiar to him.
Imagine receiving a mission directly from the highest levels of government. This verse highlights a unique partnership: Persian authority backing a divine mandate.
Ezra's commission wasn't just his own initiative; it was backed by the Persian king and his seven top advisors. These weren't just any officials; the commentaries suggest they were likely the highest-ranking princes, men who held significant influence, similar to those mentioned in Esther.
A State-Sanctioned Mission
The king and his counselors weren't interested in the intricacies of Israelite worship, but they were interested in the well-being and order of their vast empire. This included the province of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. They delegated Ezra to investigate, but with a crucial qualifier: 'according to the Law of your God.' This implies the Persian authorities recognized the importance of this Law to the Jewish people and granted Ezra the authority to use it as the standard for his inquiry. It’s a fascinating blend of imperial power and religious jurisdiction.
What does it mean to have the 'Law of your God... in your hand'? It's more than just possessing a scroll; it's about deep familiarity and the authority that comes with it.
The phrase 'which is in your hand' speaks volumes about Ezra's preparedness and the nature of his authority. It signifies that the Law wasn't just a document he carried, but an integral part of his being.
Intimate Knowledge, Immediate Application
Scholars point out that this implies Ezra was not only an expert in the Law but that it was readily accessible for his judgment. He was commissioned to 'inquire' – to investigate and assess the situation in Judah and Jerusalem. The standard for this assessment was God's Law. Because Ezra knew the Law intimately, he could confidently and accurately determine whether things were aligned with God's will or if 'abuses and deviations' had occurred, as one commentator noted.
This commission highlights that true authority, even when sanctioned by earthly powers, is rooted in divine wisdom and obedience. Ezra was empowered not just by the king, but by his mastery and reverence for God's Word.
Understand the original words
dath · Aramaic/Hebrew Noun
The specific instruction of God, particularly the Mosaic Torah, which acts as the foundation for the life, faith, and judicial practice of the people of Israel.
Ezra's authority comes directly from the highest levels of the Persian government, reflecting the empire's complex administration and its policy of allowing local laws and customs to function within its vast territories. This highlights how God can work through secular powers to advance His purposes.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers the Babylonian Empire, ushering in a new era for the region and its peoples, including the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Cyrus's Edict of Restoration
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
c. 520-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the returned exiles rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, completing a significant step in their restoration.
c. 486-465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I
Xerxes I, son of Darius, rules the Persian Empire. His reign follows the period of the Temple's rebuilding and precedes Ezra's mission.
This passage names the seven princes of Persia who had access to the king, directly paralleling the 'seven counselors' mentioned in Ezra's commission and highlighting the high-level authority behind Ezra's mission.
Jeremiah 29:10-14This prophecy speaks of the exiles' return to Jerusalem and their seeking God, mirroring the context of Ezra's return to 'inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God'.
Deuteronomy 17:8-13This passage outlines the role of appointed judges in resolving difficult legal matters based on God's law, offering a background concept for Ezra's judicial authority to 'inquire' and uphold the Law.
Nehemiah 8:1-8This shows Ezra (or a figure associated with him) publicly reading and expounding the Law of God to the people, demonstrating the practical application of the 'law... which is in thine hand' after his return.
pulpitEzra 7:14: "Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;"
Verse 14. - Ezra received his commission from the king, and from his seven counsellors, who thus seem to occupy an important position in the Persian state. They are commonly identified with the "seven princes of Persia and Media," mentioned in Esther (Esther 1:14), "which saw the king's face," and "sate first in the…
clarkeEzra 7:14: "Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;"
His seven counsellors - It is very likely that the privy counsel of the king consisted of seven persons simply. The names of these seven counsellors or chamberlains may be found in the book of Esther, Esther 1:10 .
The text highlights that Ezra is sent not just by the king, but by the king and his seven counselors, suggesting a significant political backing for his mission. This detail emphasizes that Ezra's authority and the importance of his task are recognized even at the highest levels of the Persian empire, validating his role as an enforcer of God's Law.
Ezra has just received a royal decree from King Artaxerxes authorizing his return to Jerusalem. This verse explains the official capacity in which Ezra is sent back: not just as a priest, but as an appointed commissioner with specific authority from the king and his inner circle of seven advisors. His task is to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem by applying the divine law, a responsibility he is uniquely equipped for, as the law is readily available and familiar to him.
Ezra has just received a royal decree from King Artaxerxes authorizing his return to Jerusalem. This verse explains the official capacity in which Ezra is sent back: not just as a priest, but as an appointed commissioner with specific authority from the king and his inner circle of seven advisors. His task is to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem by applying the divine law, a responsibility he is uniquely equipped for, as the law is readily available and familiar to him.
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c. 465-424 BC— this verse
Reign of Artaxerxes I
Artaxerxes I reigns over the Persian Empire. During his reign, Ezra receives his commission and travels to Jerusalem.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Journey
King Artaxerxes I, influenced by Ezra's wisdom and devotion to God's law, commissions Ezra to travel to Jerusalem with a delegation. The king and his seven chief counselors authorize Ezra to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem according to their God's law.
"For you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand," — The text highlights that Ezra is sent not just by the king, but by the king and his seven counselors, suggesting a significant political backing for his mission. This detail emphasizes that Ezra's…
