Ezra 7:26 (KJV)

What does Ezra 7:26 mean?

Ezra 7:26 states that anyone who refuses to follow the law of God or the law of the king should quickly face judgment, which could include death, exile, loss of property, or imprisonment. The verse sets out clear and serious consequences for disobedience to both religious and royal authority.

This verse comes from a letter written by King Artaxerxes of Persia, granting Ezra authority to lead and teach the Jewish people returning from exile. The king empowers Ezra to enforce both God's law and the king's law, showing the close link between religious and civil order at that time. The verse highlights the seriousness with which obedience was expected in the restored community.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:26

• דָּת (dāṯ, H1882) — "law": This word is used for both "the law of thy God" and "the law of the king," showing that both divine and royal commands are treated with equal seriousness in this context.
• דִּין (dîn, H1780) — "judgment": This word refers to a legal decision or sentence. Its use here emphasizes that consequences for disobedience are not arbitrary but are formal judgments.
• בְּעִידָנָא (be‘idānā’, H629) — "speedily": This word means "at once" or "immediately," stressing that punishment for breaking the law should not be delayed.
• מוֹתָא (mōṯā’, H4193) — "death": The inclusion of death as a possible penalty shows the extreme seriousness of the offenses in view.

Why Ezra 7:26 matters

• Ezra 7:26 clarifies that the Persian king gave Ezra real authority to enforce both religious and civil law, not just to teach or encourage.
• The verse helps explain the environment facing the returning exiles: obedience was not optional, and consequences were severe.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the king’s support for Ezra’s mission, highlighting the unusual cooperation between a foreign ruler and Jewish religious leadership.