this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. this EzraThe phrase "this Ezra" identifies the specific individual among others who may have shared the same name. Ezra, a central figure in the post-exilic period, is distinguished by his unique role and mission. Historically, Ezra is recognized as a priest and scribe, a leader who played a pivotal role in the spiritual and social restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. His lineage, as detailed earlier in the chapter, connects him to Aaron, the brother of Moses, emphasizing his priestly heritage and authority. came up from Babylon
The phrase "came up from Babylon" signifies the physical and spiritual journey from exile back to the Promised Land. Babylon, a symbol of captivity and foreign domination, contrasts with Jerusalem, the city of God. This journey is not merely geographical but also represents a return to covenant faithfulness and divine purpose. Historically, this return was part of the larger movement of exiles returning under the edicts of Persian kings, fulfilling God's promise of restoration. He was a scribe
The term "scribe" refers to Ezra's role as a scholar and teacher of the Law. In ancient Israel, scribes were responsible for copying, preserving, and interpreting the Scriptures. Ezra's position as a scribe highlights his dedication to the study and application of God's Word, a crucial task in re-establishing the religious identity of the Jewish people after exile. skilled in the Law of Moses
The phrase "skilled in the Law of Moses" underscores Ezra's expertise and deep understanding of the Torah, the foundational text of Israel's faith and practice. The Law of Moses, given by God at Sinai, was central to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Ezra's skill indicates not only intellectual knowledge but also a commitment to living out and teaching the Law, ensuring that the community aligns with God's will. which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the Law, underscoring its authority and sacredness. The LORD, the covenant name of God, signifies His personal relationship with Israel. By stating that the Law was given by God, the text affirms its role as the ultimate guide for life and worship, entrusted to Israel as a unique revelation of God's character and expectations. The king had granted him all his requests
The phrase "The king had granted him all his requests" reflects the favor Ezra found with the Persian king, likely Artaxerxes I. This favor is seen as a divine provision, enabling Ezra to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and to implement reforms. Historically, the Persian policy of supporting local religions and governance allowed for such requests, but the text attributes this success to divine intervention. according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him
The phrase "according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him" signifies divine guidance and blessing. The "hand of the LORD" is a biblical metaphor for God's power and presence actively working in the lives of His people. This acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and providence highlights the belief that Ezra's mission was not merely a human endeavor but orchestrated by God for His purposes. This divine endorsement reassures the reader of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and guiding His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA priest and scribe, skilled in the Law of Moses, who played a crucial role in the spiritual and religious restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. 2. BabylonThe place from which Ezra came, representing the location of the Jewish exile before their return to Jerusalem. 3. The Law of MosesThe divine commandments and instructions given to Moses, forming the foundation of Jewish religious practice and law. 4. The LORD, the God of IsraelThe covenant God of Israel, who is actively involved in the lives of His people and in the fulfillment of His promises. 5. The KingReferring to Artaxerxes, the Persian king who granted Ezra's requests, showing favor towards the Jewish people. Teaching Points The Importance of God's WordEzra's skill in the Law of Moses highlights the necessity for believers to be knowledgeable and skilled in Scripture. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsThe favor Ezra received from the king demonstrates God's control over earthly authorities to fulfill His purposes. Faithfulness in ExileEzra's commitment to God's law, even in Babylon, serves as an example of maintaining faithfulness in challenging circumstances. The Role of Leadership in Spiritual RenewalEzra's leadership was pivotal in the spiritual revival of Israel, showing the impact of godly leadership. Prayer and Dependence on GodEzra's success was attributed to "the hand of the LORD his God upon him," emphasizing the importance of seeking God's guidance and favor. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ezra's dedication to the Law of Moses challenge us in our personal study of Scripture today? 2. In what ways can we see God's hand at work in our lives, similar to how He worked through Ezra and the king? 3. How can we maintain our faith and commitment to God's Word in environments that are not supportive of our beliefs? 4. What qualities of Ezra's leadership can we apply to our roles in our families, churches, or communities? 5. How can we ensure that our requests and plans align with God's will, as seen in Ezra's successful petition to the king? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 8Ezra's role in reading the Law to the people, leading to a national revival and renewal of the covenant. Deuteronomy 6The importance of the Law of Moses in guiding the lives of the Israelites, emphasizing the need for teaching and adherence. Psalm 119A reflection on the beauty and necessity of God's law, which Ezra was skilled in and dedicated to teaching. Proverbs 21:1Illustrates how God can influence the hearts of kings, as seen in Artaxerxes granting Ezra's requests. 2 Timothy 2:15Encourages believers to be diligent in studying and rightly handling the word of truth, similar to Ezra's dedication to the Law. People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Babylon, Babylonia, Expert, Ezra, Giveth, Granted, Law, Moved, Ready, Request, Requested, Scribe, Skilled, Teacher, Versed, WhateverDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:6 1265 hand of God
5514 scribes
7372 hands, laying on
7768 priests, OT function Ezra 7:1-21 7464 teachers of the law Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleReading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 7:6 NIVEzra 7:6 NLTEzra 7:6 ESVEzra 7:6 NASBEzra 7:6 KJV
Ezra 7:6 Commentaries
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