Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
EZRA 7:14KJVWhat does Ezra 7:14 mean?
Ezra 7:14 explains that Ezra is being officially sent by the king and his seven advisers to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, making sure everything is in line with the law of Ezra’s God, which Ezra carries with him. This verse highlights that Ezra’s mission is both royal and religious, giving him authority to act according to God’s law.
In this setting, the Persian king (most likely Artaxerxes) is giving Ezra, a Jewish scribe, a commission to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem. The king’s seven counselors are his top advisers, showing that this is a high-level, official order. Ezra is to examine how the Jewish people in Judah and Jerusalem are living, specifically checking if they are following the religious law that Ezra knows and brings with him.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:14
- "law" (דָּת, dath): This word means decree, law, or regulation. Here, it refers specifically to the religious law of Ezra’s God, not Persian law, showing that the king recognizes and respects the distinct faith of the Jewish people.
- "enquire" (בָּעָה, ba‘a): This word means to seek, investigate, or inquire. The king is not just sending Ezra to observe but to actively look into the state of affairs, implying a careful and thorough mission.
- "hand" (יָד, yad): This word means hand, but in this context, it often represents possession or authority. The law is “in Ezra’s hand,” meaning he is trusted as the expert and keeper of this law.
Why Ezra 7:14 matters
- Ezra 7:14 clarifies that Ezra’s authority comes from both the Persian king and from his knowledge of God’s law, which is unusual for an official sent by a foreign ruler.
- The verse shows that the Persian government was willing to support and even enforce the religious practices of the Jewish people, as long as it did not threaten the empire’s interests.
- This verse sets up the rest of Ezra’s mission, explaining why he has the right to make religious and legal decisions in Jerusalem, and why the local leaders are expected to listen to him.