And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
EZRA 7:21KJVWhat does Ezra 7:21 mean?
Ezra 7:21 records King Artaxerxes issuing a direct order to his officials who manage the royal finances west of the Euphrates River, telling them to give Ezra, the priest and expert in God’s law, whatever he asks for—and to do it quickly. The verse shows the king’s strong support for Ezra’s mission and his authority to request resources for religious purposes.
King Artaxerxes himself is speaking in this verse, addressing his treasurers in the region beyond the river (the Euphrates), which was the Persian province where Jerusalem was located. The king singles out Ezra, calling him both a priest and a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, and commands that any request Ezra makes should be fulfilled without delay. This decree gives Ezra official backing and access to resources, highlighting the importance of his journey to Jerusalem and the restoration of worship there.
The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:21
- "decree" (דָּתָא, datha): This word means an official order or law. The use of this term shows that Artaxerxes’ command carried the full weight of royal authority, not just a suggestion.
- "beyond" (עֲבַר, avar) and "river" (נָהָר, nahar): Together, these words refer to the area west of the Euphrates River, marking the specific region where the treasurers served and where Ezra’s authority was to be recognized.
- "speedily" (עַגָּל, agal): This word means quickly or without delay. The king’s insistence on prompt action stresses the urgency and priority he placed on Ezra’s requests.
Why Ezra 7:21 matters
- The verse clarifies that Ezra’s authority and access to resources came directly from the Persian king, not just from local leaders or the Jewish community.
- Artaxerxes’ decree sets the stage for the support and cooperation Ezra would receive, making it clear that resistance to Ezra’s requests would be disobeying the king.
- This official backing connects to the wider theme of God using foreign rulers to support the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple, a key idea throughout Ezra and Nehemiah.