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 7:14KJV
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Ezra 7:14 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“counsellors” Hebrew H3272 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 7:15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
  • Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

“enquire” Hebrew H1240 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
  • Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
  • Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

“seven” Hebrew H7655 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
  • Daniel 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
  • Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

“Judah” Hebrew H3061 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
  • Daniel 5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?