Ezra 7:14

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which [is] in thine hand;

Forasmuch {H1768}{H6903} as {H3606} thou art sent {H7972} of {H4481}{H6925} the king {H4430}, and of his seven {H7655} counsellors {H3272}, to enquire {H1240} concerning {H5922} Judah {H3061} and Jerusalem {H3390}, according to the law {H1882} of thy God {H426} which is in thine hand {H3028};

You are being sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire how the law of your God, of which you have expert knowledge, is being applied in Y'hudah and Yerushalayim.

You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king and his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thy hand,

Commentary

Ezra 7:14 details a crucial aspect of King Artaxerxes' decree, commissioning Ezra for his significant mission to Jerusalem. This verse underscores the dual authority—royal and divine—behind Ezra's journey, which was far more than just transporting temple treasures; it was an official inquiry into the spiritual state of the Jewish community.

Context

This verse is part of a royal decree issued by King Artaxerxes I of Persia (Artaxerxes Longimanus, c. 465-424 BC) to Ezra the scribe. Ezra, a priest and a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, was granted extensive authority to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. This event occurs in the post-exilic period, decades after the initial return under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the Temple, and before Nehemiah's mission to rebuild the walls. The Persian Empire, at this time, maintained a policy of allowing diverse peoples within its vast domain to govern themselves according to their own customs and laws, provided they remained loyal to the crown. This decree exemplifies that policy in action, granting Ezra the means to reinforce the observance of God's law among the returnees.

Key Themes

  • Royal Mandate and Divine Providence: Ezra is "sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors," highlighting the official, high-level backing for his mission. This human authority, however, is presented as being in alignment with God's overarching plan for His people. It demonstrates how God often uses secular rulers and political systems to accomplish His divine purposes, even among those who do not acknowledge Him.
  • The Authority of God's Law: The core of Ezra's mission is "to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand." This emphasizes that the standard for his inquiry and the basis for reform was not Persian law, but the divine statutes and commandments given to Israel. The phrase "which is in thine hand" signifies Ezra's deep knowledge, mastery, and perhaps even physical possession of the scrolls of the Law of God (Torah). He was not merely a messenger but an expert and an enforcer of this sacred text.
  • Restoration and Spiritual Renewal: Ezra's task was to assess the spiritual condition of the Jewish community in Judah and Jerusalem, implying a need for correction and revival. This was crucial for the long-term spiritual health and identity of the people who had returned from Babylonian exile, ensuring they adhered to the covenant principles that defined them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the law of thy God which is in thine hand" is significant. "Law of thy God" translates from the Hebrew Torah Elohim (תּוֹרַת אֱלָהָךְ), referring to the divine instruction given by God, primarily through Moses. "In thine hand" (בִּידָךְ) suggests not only physical possession of the sacred scrolls but also Ezra's profound understanding, skill, and authority in interpreting and applying this Law. It implies he was fully equipped and empowered to carry out his task based on this divine standard.

Practical Application

Ezra 7:14 reminds us that God can orchestrate events through various means, including secular authorities, to advance His purposes. For believers today, it highlights the importance of living "according to the law of thy God," not as a means to salvation, but as a guide for righteous living and spiritual order. It underscores the value of knowing and understanding God's Word deeply, much like Ezra, so that we can apply its truths and be agents of positive change and spiritual inquiry in our own communities. Our mission, like Ezra's, should be guided by divine principles, whether we are called to lead, teach, or simply live out our faith daily.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Esther 1:14

    And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;)

  • 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 7:15

    And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation [is] in Jerusalem,

  • Daniel 6:26

    I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 17:18

    And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:

  • Deuteronomy 17:19

    And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
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