Ezra 7:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do [it], and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For 'Ezra had set his heart on studying and practicing the Torah of ADONAI and teaching Isra'el the laws and rulings.

Berean Standard Bible:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

American Standard Version:

For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For Ezra^{H5830} had prepared^{H3559} his heart^{H3824} to seek^{H1875} the law^{H8451} of the LORD^{H3068}, and to do^{H6213} it, and to teach^{H3925} in Israel^{H3478} statutes^{H2706} and judgments^{H4941}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ezra 7:10

Ezra 7:10 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, reflecting the spiritual and political climate of the time. The historical context is the Persian period, during which the Jews had been allowed to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Ezra, a scribe and priest, is a central figure in this period of restoration.

The verse itself encapsulates three key themes: personal devotion, obedience, and instruction. It begins with Ezra's personal commitment to "prepare his heart," indicating a deliberate and intentional pursuit of spiritual understanding and closeness to God. This internal preparation is directed toward seeking "the law of the LORD," which refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, central to Jewish religious and legal life.

The second theme is practical obedience. Ezra's seeking is not just for intellectual satisfaction but is coupled with the resolve to "do it," suggesting a life lived in accordance with divine precepts. This reflects the belief that true understanding of the law leads to a life that embodies its commandments.

Finally, the verse speaks to Ezra's role as a teacher. His mission includes instructing the people of Israel in the "statutes and judgments." This underscores the importance of communal education in the law, ensuring that the returned exiles would be able to reestablish their religious and cultural identity through a proper understanding and application of the Torah.

In summary, Ezra 7:10 presents Ezra as a model of religious leadership, demonstrating a heartfelt commitment to God's law, a life of obedience to that law, and a dedication to teaching others. This verse reflects the broader themes of the post-exilic community's efforts to rebuild their nation and faith, with Ezra playing a crucial role in guiding them back to their covenantal roots and religious practices.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5830
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶזְרָא
   Transliteration: ʻEzrâʼ
   Pronunciation: ez-raw'
   Description: a variation of עֶזְרָה; Ezra, an Israelite; Ezra.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1875
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּרַשׁ
   Transliteration: dârash
   Pronunciation: daw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8451
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹרָה
   Transliteration: tôwrâh
   Pronunciation: to-raw'
   Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3925
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָמַד
   Transliteration: lâmad
   Pronunciation: law-mad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive); (un-) accustomed, [idiom] diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -ing).
   
9. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2706
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֹק
    Transliteration: chôq
    Pronunciation: khoke
    Description: from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4941
    There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
    Transliteration: mishpâṭ
    Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
    Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.