Ezra 7:25

KJV

And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that [is] in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that [are] beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know [them] not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou {H607}, Ezra {H5831}, after the wisdom {H2452} of thy God {H426}, that is in thine hand {H3028}, set {H4483} magistrates {H8200} and judges {H1782}, which may judge {H1934}{H1778} all {H3606} the people {H5972} that are beyond {H5675} the river {H5103}, all {H3606} such as know {H3046} the laws {H1882} of thy God {H426}; and teach {H3046} ye them that know {H3046} them not {H3809}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"And you, 'Ezra, making use of the wisdom you have from your God, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the territory beyond the River, that is, all who know the laws of your God; and you are to teach those who don't know them.

Berean Standard Bible

And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.

American Standard Version

And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye him that knoweth them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 7:25 records a pivotal decree from King Artaxerxes I, empowering Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, to establish comprehensive civil and religious order among the Jewish populace in the Trans-Euphrates province. This mandate, explicitly attributed to "the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand," authorized Ezra to appoint judges and magistrates to administer God's laws to those who knew them, and crucially, to teach those who did not, thereby laying the groundwork for a society rooted in divine principles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 7:25 is situated within King Artaxerxes' decree (Ezra 7:11-26), which grants Ezra extensive authority and resources for his mission to Jerusalem. This verse immediately follows the king's provision for temple worship and financial support, transitioning to the equally vital aspect of civil and religious governance. The broader narrative of Ezra 7 details Ezra's preparation, his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, and his ultimate purpose to study, practice, and teach the Law of God (Ezra 7:6-10). Thus, this verse serves as the operational heart of Artaxerxes' commission, detailing the practical implementation of Ezra's divinely-inspired leadership in establishing a society governed by God's statutes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Achaemenid Persian Empire, specifically during the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC). The phrase "beyond the river" refers to the province of Trans-Euphrates, which included Judah. The Persian administration, while allowing a degree of local autonomy, often sought stability and order within its vast empire. Empowering local leaders like Ezra, who possessed deep knowledge of their people's laws, was a pragmatic approach to governance. For the post-exilic Jewish community, returning from Babylon, the re-establishment of a functional legal and social structure based on the Torah was paramount for their identity and survival, distinguishing them from surrounding cultures and ensuring their covenant faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the **Sovereignty of God**, demonstrating how God can use even pagan rulers, like King Artaxerxes, as instruments to accomplish His purposes for His people and the advancement of His kingdom (compare with [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")). It also highlights the **Centrality of God's Law** (Torah) as the foundation for all societal and spiritual order, emphasizing that true justice and flourishing arise from adherence to divine statutes. Furthermore, the verse champions the **Importance of Education and Discipleship**, recognizing that knowledge of God's law is not innate but must be actively taught and disseminated, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 6:7](/deuteronomy/6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:7 - Teach Your Children Diligently"). Finally, it emphasizes **Godly Leadership**, portraying Ezra as a divinely equipped figure whose "wisdom of thy God" enables him to bring order and instruction to a community in need of spiritual and civil restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wisdom (Aramaic, _ḥokmā'_):** This term, often translated as "wisdom," carries a broader connotation in biblical literature than mere intellectual knowledge. Here, coupled with "that is in thine hand," it signifies not only Ezra's profound understanding of God's law but also the practical skill, discernment, and divine enablement to apply that knowledge effectively in governance and teaching. It implies a divinely imparted competence for leadership.
* **Set (Aramaic, _təqīm'_):** This verb means "to establish," "to appoint," or "to set up." It denotes a formal, authoritative act of institution. Ezra's role was not merely advisory but involved the active creation of a functional judicial system, demonstrating the king's full delegation of administrative power to him.
* **Laws of thy God (Aramaic, _dāṯ ʾĔlāhāk'_):** This phrase refers specifically to the divine statutes, decrees, and ordinances given by God, particularly the Torah. It distinguishes these sacred laws from human or Persian laws, emphasizing their divine origin and supreme authority as the basis for the judicial system Ezra was to implement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that [is] in thine hand":** This opening clause establishes the divine source and empowerment for Ezra's authority. It is not merely Ezra's personal intelligence or administrative skill, but a wisdom divinely bestowed and practically evident ("in thine hand"), enabling him to fulfill his monumental task. This highlights God's active involvement in equipping His chosen servants.
* **"set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that [are] beyond the river":** This is the primary mandate for civil and religious governance. Ezra is commanded to establish a formal judicial system, appointing officials ("magistrates and judges") whose responsibility is to administer justice to the entire Jewish population in the Trans-Euphrates province. This signifies a move towards re-establishing a society governed by righteous principles.
* **"all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know [them] not":** This crucial final clause defines the scope and dual nature of Ezra's mission. First, the appointed judges are to apply God's laws to those who are already familiar with them, ensuring accountability. Second, and equally vital, Ezra (and by extension, his appointees) is commanded to actively educate those who are ignorant of God's laws. This underscores the foundational importance of spiritual instruction and discipleship for the entire community, ensuring that justice is not merely punitive but also restorative and preventative through education.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Divine Commission** is evident as a pagan king explicitly attributes Ezra's authority to "the wisdom of thy God," underscoring God's sovereign hand in human affairs. There is a clear **Juxtaposition** between judging those who "know the laws of thy God" and teaching "them that know them not," highlighting the dual responsibility of enforcement and education. The repeated phrase "laws of thy God" serves as a form of **Emphasis**, reinforcing the divine origin and supreme importance of the Torah as the foundation for the community's life. Furthermore, the phrase "wisdom...that is in thine hand" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "hand" represents the practical application and embodiment of divine wisdom, signifying not just intellectual understanding but also the executive capacity to implement God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 7:25 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to the restoration and sanctification of His people, even through unexpected means. It reveals that God's plan for His covenant community involves not only physical return and temple rebuilding but also, crucially, the re-establishment of a society governed by His righteous laws. This mandate for justice and education reflects God's character as a God of order, truth, and grace, desiring that His people live in accordance with His perfect will. The verse underscores that true societal flourishing is predicated on a deep understanding and application of divine wisdom, which must be both enforced for the knowledgeable and diligently taught to the ignorant, ensuring a foundation of righteousness for all.

* [Deuteronomy 16:18](/deuteronomy/16-18 "Deuteronomy 16:18 - Appointment of Judges")
* [Nehemiah 8:8](/nehemiah/8-8 "Nehemiah 8:8 - Ezra Reads and Explains the Law")
* [Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - The Law Going Out from Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 7:25 offers enduring principles for leadership, community, and personal discipleship. It challenges us to recognize that true authority and effective governance, whether in civil, ecclesiastical, or familial spheres, must ultimately derive from and be guided by divine wisdom. For leaders, this means seeking God's guidance, immersing themselves in His Word, and applying its principles with integrity and discernment. For every believer, the dual mandate of judging (applying God's truth to oneself and others in appropriate contexts) and teaching (sharing God's truth with those who are unaware) remains vital. We are called to be instruments of God's order, justice, and spiritual understanding in a world often characterized by chaos and ignorance. This requires not only knowing God's laws but actively living them out and faithfully communicating them, fostering a culture where God's truth is both revered and widely understood.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand" apply to your own calling or sphere of influence?**
* **What is your responsibility in upholding justice and ensuring that God's truth is taught to those who "know them not" in your community?**
* **In what practical ways can you, like Ezra, contribute to establishing God's order and spiritual understanding in your family, church, or workplace?**

### FAQ
**Why would a pagan king like Artaxerxes grant such extensive religious and civil authority to Ezra?**

Answer: While the text attributes this directly to "the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand," implying divine influence, there were likely pragmatic reasons from Artaxerxes' perspective as well. The Persian Empire was vast and often sought stability in its provinces. Empowering a respected figure like Ezra, who was deeply knowledgeable in the laws of his people, could have been seen as a wise administrative move to ensure order and loyalty among the Jewish population in the Trans-Euphrates province. A well-governed and religiously cohesive Jewish community would be less prone to rebellion and more likely to contribute to the empire's stability. Moreover, the biblical narrative consistently highlights God's sovereignty over all rulers, demonstrating His ability to incline the hearts of kings to fulfill His purposes for His people, as seen in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord") and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius in earlier chapters of Ezra.

**What does "the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand" truly signify beyond mere knowledge?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant. It goes beyond intellectual comprehension of God's laws to denote a divinely imparted practical ability and administrative skill. "In thine hand" suggests the capacity to effectively implement, execute, and apply that wisdom in real-world governance and teaching. It implies that God had not only granted Ezra profound insight into His statutes but also equipped him with the necessary leadership qualities, discernment, and authority to translate that knowledge into tangible order and instruction for the community. It speaks to a divine enablement for the specific task at hand, making Ezra not just a scholar but a divinely appointed agent of transformation, much like the Spirit-filled craftsmen in [Exodus 31:3](/exodus/31-3 "Exodus 31:3 - Bezalel Filled with the Spirit of God") were given skill "in all manner of workmanship."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra's divinely empowered mission to establish justice and teach God's law among the returning exiles powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. While Ezra was a faithful servant commissioned to administer the law, Jesus is the very embodiment and fulfillment of God's wisdom and law. He is the ultimate Law-giver and interpreter, not merely teaching the law but perfectly living it out and explaining its true spiritual intent, as seen in His Sermon on the Mount (e.g., [Matthew 5:17-48](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Jesus is also the perfect Judge, to whom "all judgment has been committed" by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")), who will judge both the living and the dead with perfect righteousness. Furthermore, Christ is the supreme Teacher, not only revealing God's character and will but also empowering His followers through the Holy Spirit to understand and obey God's truth. Under the New Covenant, the law is no longer merely an external code but is written on the hearts of believers ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")), enabling them to walk in God's ways by the power of the Spirit ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Life in the Spirit")). Thus, Ezra's work of establishing a community governed by God's wisdom points forward to Christ, who perfectly establishes God's kingdom and empowers His people to live by His divine wisdom through the indwelling Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 16:18

¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Ezra 7:10

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.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Psalms 19:7

¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

Malachi 2:7

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.