Ezra 7:11
New International Version
This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel:

New Living Translation
King Artaxerxes had given a copy of the following letter to Ezra, the priest and scribe who studied and taught the commands and decrees of the LORD to Israel:

English Standard Version
This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel:

Berean Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel:

King James Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

New King James Version
This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel:

New American Standard Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel:

NASB 1995
Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel:

NASB 1977
Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel:

Legacy Standard Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes to Israel:

Amplified Bible
Now this is a copy of the decree that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe [who was] learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and of His statutes to Israel:

Christian Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the LORD’s commands and statutes for Israel:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in matters of the LORD’s commands and statutes for Israel:

American Standard Version
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Jehovah, and of his statutes to Israel:

Contemporary English Version
Ezra was a priest and an expert in the laws and commands that the LORD had given to Israel. One day King Artaxerxes gave Ezra a letter which said:

English Revised Version
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest and scribe, a man with a thorough knowledge of the LORD's commands and laws for Israel:

Good News Translation
Emperor Artaxerxes gave the following document to Ezra, the priest and scholar, who had a thorough knowledge of the laws and commands which the LORD had given to Israel:

International Standard Version
Here is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest-scribe, a scholar in matters concerning the commandments of the LORD and concerning his statutes pertaining to Israel:

Majority Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel:

NET Bible
What follows is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priestly scribe. Ezra was a scribe in matters pertaining to the commandments of the LORD and his statutes over Israel:

New Heart English Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artachshasta gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel:

Webster's Bible Translation
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

World English Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of Yahweh’s commandments, and of his statutes to Israel:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this [is] a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a scribe of the words of the commands of YHWH, and of His statutes on Israel:

Young's Literal Translation
And this is a copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a scribe of the words of the commands of Jehovah, and of His statutes on Israel:

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the copy of the epistle which king Arthasatha gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, the scribe of the words of the commands of Jehovah and of his laws upon Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And this is the copy of the letter of the edict, which king Artaxerxes gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe instructed in the words and commandments of the Lord, and his ceremonies in Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now this is a copy of the letter of the edict, which king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra, the priest, a scribe well-taught in the words and precepts of the Lord and in his ceremonies in Israel:

New American Bible
This is a copy of the rescript which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest-scribe, the scribe versed in matters concerning the LORD’s commandments and statutes for Israel:

New Revised Standard Version
This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to the priest Ezra, the scribe, a scholar of the text of the commandments of the LORD and his statutes for Israel:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now this is the copy of the letter which King Artakhshisht gave to Ezra the priest, the learned scribe of the words and the commandments of the LORD and of his statutes to all Israel:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is the copy of the letter that King Artakhshesht gave to Azra the Priest, the Scribe of the words and the commandments of LORD JEHOVAH and his laws to all Israel:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of His statutes to Israel:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this is the copy of the order which Arthasastha gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe of the book of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his ordinances to Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Artaxerxes' Letter for Ezra
11This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel: 12Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 8:1-8
At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. / On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. / So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. ...

2 Chronicles 17:7-9
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, / accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. / They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. / It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. / Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.

2 Kings 22:8-13
Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it. / And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.” / Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. ...

Nehemiah 8:13-18
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law. / And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, / and that they should proclaim this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” ...

2 Chronicles 34:14-21
While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. / And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan. / Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. ...

Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 23:2-3
“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Acts 15:21
For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. / All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Nehemiah 9:3
While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

1 Chronicles 15:15
And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:4
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

Matthew 13:52
Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.


Treasury of Scripture

Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

the copy

Ezra 4:11
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

Ezra 5:6
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

a scribe

Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

Matthew 23:2,13
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: …

Mark 7:1-13
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem…

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Artaxerxes Ar-Ta-Xerx'es Commandments Commands Copy Decree Decrees Ezra Israel Letter Matters Orders Priest Scribe Statutes Teacher Words Writing
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Ezra 7
1. Ezra goes up to Jerusalem
11. The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra
27. Ezra blesses God for this favor














This is the text of the letter
The phrase introduces a formal document, emphasizing the importance and authenticity of the communication. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, letters from kings were authoritative and carried significant weight. The Hebrew term for "letter" (אִגֶּרֶת, iggeret) suggests an official decree, underscoring the divine orchestration in Ezra's mission.

that King Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes I, the Persian king, reigned from 465-424 BC. His role in the narrative highlights God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. Despite being a pagan king, Artaxerxes is used by God to fulfill His purposes for Israel, demonstrating that God can work through any leader to accomplish His divine will.

had given to Ezra
The act of giving signifies a transfer of authority and responsibility. Ezra, a priest and scribe, is entrusted with a mission to restore the spiritual and religious life of the Jewish people. This highlights the importance of divine calling and preparation for leadership roles in God's kingdom.

the priest and scribe
Ezra's dual role as both priest and scribe is significant. As a priest, he is a mediator between God and the people, responsible for teaching and maintaining the law. As a scribe, he is a scholar and interpreter of the Scriptures. This combination of roles underscores the necessity of both spiritual and intellectual leadership in guiding God's people.

a man learned in matters of the commandments and statutes of the LORD
Ezra's expertise in the law of God is emphasized here. The Hebrew word for "learned" (מָהִיר, mahir) implies skill and diligence. His deep understanding of the commandments and statutes reflects a life dedicated to studying and applying God's Word, serving as a model for believers to pursue knowledge and wisdom in their faith journey.

for Israel
The phrase "for Israel" indicates the specific audience and purpose of Ezra's mission. It underscores God's covenant relationship with His chosen people and His ongoing commitment to their spiritual renewal and restoration. This serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and His desire for His people to live according to His statutes.

(11-26) Credentials and commission of Ezra. After the general statement the particulars are given, beginning with the letter of authorisation, in which we discern throughout the hand of Ezra.

(11) Even a scribe.--In the case of Ezra the function of scribe was more important than that of priest. The word scribe originally meant the writer or copier of the law; but now it meant the expositor of its general moral commandments and of its special ceremonial statutes. It is with the latter more especially that the commission of Ezra had to do.

Verse 11. - The copy of the letter that the king... gave to Ezra. This decree, as already observed, was a private firman, one copy of which only was made, which was presented to Ezra, and was his authority for doing certain things himself, and for requiring certain acts of others. The priest. This is implied in the genealogy (vers. 1-5), but not directly stated elsewhere by Ezra himself. Nehemiah, however, designates him similarly (Ezra 8:2, 9). His most usual title is the "scribe." A scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord. Not so much a writer as an expounder (see above, ver. 10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
וְזֶ֣ה ׀ (wə·zeh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is the text
פַּרְשֶׁ֣גֶן (par·še·ḡen)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6572: A transcript

of the letter
הַֽנִּשְׁתְּוָ֗ן (han·niš·tə·wān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5406: An epistle

King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Artaxerxes
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֔סְתְּא (’ar·taḥ·šast)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

had given
נָתַן֙ (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to Ezra
לְעֶזְרָ֥א (lə·‘ez·rā)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5830: Ezra -- 'help', three Israelites

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and scribe,
הַסֹּפֵ֑ר (has·sō·p̄êr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

a man learned
סֹפֵ֞ר (sō·p̄êr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

in the commandments
מִצְוֺת־ (miṣ·wōṯ-)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

and statutes
וְחֻקָּ֖יו (wə·ḥuq·qāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

of the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel:
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: Ezra 7:11 Now this is the copy (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 7:10
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