And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

EZRA 7:26KJV
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Ezra 7:26 (KJV)

What does Ezra 7:26 mean?

Ezra 7:26 gives Ezra authority to see that people who refuse to obey the law of God and the king’s law face prompt judgment. The Persian king’s letter lists several possible penalties, ranging from imprisonment to death.

The letter places Ezra’s work within the king’s system of justice. After verse 25 directs Ezra to appoint judges and teach those who do not know the law, verse 26 addresses those who will not obey it.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:26

  • “law” — דָּת (dat): This word can mean a law or decree. The same word is used for both God’s law and the king’s law, placing both within the letter’s instructions for judgment.
  • “speedily” — אָסְפַּרְנָא (asparna): This word carries the sense of promptly or without delay. It describes how judgment is to be carried out after a person refuses to obey.

Why Ezra 7:26 matters

  • The verse gives a range of penalties, not one fixed punishment for every case. The letter names death, banishment, confiscation of goods, and imprisonment as alternatives.
  • Ezra’s authority includes both teaching and judgment. Verse 25 calls for instruction of those who do not know the law, while verse 26 addresses refusal to do it.

Where else these words appear

“goods” Hebrew H5232 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 6:8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

“imprisonment” Hebrew H613 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“judgment” Hebrew H1780 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
  • Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
  • Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

“speedily” Hebrew H629 · used in 7 verses

  • 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.
  • Ezra 6:12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
  • Ezra 7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.