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Ezra 7:6

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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.

This Ezra {H5830} went up {H5927} from Babylon {H894}; and he was a ready {H4106} scribe {H5608} in the law {H8451} of Moses {H4872}, which the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} had given {H5414}: and the king {H4428} granted {H5414} him all his request {H1246}, according to the hand {H3027} of the LORD {H3068} his God {H430} upon him.

this 'Ezra went up from Bavel. He was a scribe, expert in the Torah of Moshe, which ADONAI the God of Isra'el had given; and the king granted him everything he asked for, since the hand of ADONAI his God was on him.

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

Commentary

Context

Ezra 7:6 introduces Ezra, a central figure in the post-exilic history of Israel, marking his significant journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. This event unfolds during the reign of King Artaxerxes I of Persia, a crucial period for the Jewish people as they endeavored to rebuild their lives and spiritual identity after decades of Babylonian captivity. Ezra's mission was divinely appointed: to restore the prominence of God's Law among the returning exiles, a task essential for their spiritual and communal restoration.

Key Themes

  • Ezra's Character as a Scribe: The description "a ready scribe in the law of Moses" underscores Ezra's exceptional expertise, diligence, and commitment to studying, preserving, and interpreting God's divine revelation. He was not merely a copyist but a profound scholar and teacher of the sacred texts.
  • Divine Origin of the Law: The verse explicitly states that the Law was "which the LORD God of Israel had given," powerfully emphasizing its divine authority and its foundational role for the covenant people. This highlights the Law as God's direct instruction to His chosen nation.
  • God's Providential Hand: The success of Ezra's journey and the king's extraordinary favor are directly attributed to "the hand of the LORD his God upon him." This potent biblical idiom signifies God's active guidance, protection, and enabling power, ensuring Ezra could fulfill his divinely purposed mission despite potential challenges.
  • Favor with Authorities: The fact that the king "granted him all his request" demonstrates how God can sovereignly work through secular rulers and political systems to accomplish His will, illustrating His influence even in governmental spheres.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "a ready scribe" translates the Hebrew sopher mahir (סופר מהיר). Sopher denotes a scribe, secretary, or scholar, someone skilled in writing and recording. Mahir means quick, skillful, or diligent. Thus, Ezra was not just any scribe, but one who was exceptionally proficient, eager, and adept in his understanding and application of the Law. The idiom "the hand of the LORD" (yad Yahweh) is a prevalent biblical expression that signifies God's active power, presence, and favor, often leading to successful outcomes or empowering individuals for a specific task. This concept is seen elsewhere, for example, in the context of divine instruction for building the temple (1 Chronicles 28:19) or empowering prophetic vision (Ezekiel 1:3).

Related Scriptures

Ezra's profound dedication to the Law of Moses sets a precedent for the importance of God's Word throughout biblical history, emphasizing its role in guiding and shaping the identity of God's people. His commitment to studying and teaching the Law is further detailed in Ezra 7:10, which states he "had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." This deep reverence for God's statutes is a recurring theme in the Psalms, which frequently extol the virtues of delighting in and meditating on God's Law (e.g., Psalm 1:2). The concept of God's enabling "hand" being upon His servants for success is also a prominent motif in the book of Nehemiah, where Nehemiah frequently attributes his achievements to "the good hand of my God upon me".

Practical Application

Ezra 7:6 offers several enduring principles for believers today:

  • Diligence in God's Word: Like Ezra, we are called to be "ready" in the Scriptures – not just casually acquainted, but deeply committed to diligent study, accurate understanding, and earnest application of God's truth in our daily lives.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: The verse powerfully reminds us that God is actively involved in human affairs, orchestrating circumstances and influencing leaders to fulfill His divine purposes. We can trust His "hand" to be upon us as we faithfully seek to serve Him.
  • Using Gifts for God's Glory: Ezra's unique skill as a scribe was consecrated for a divine mission. This encourages us to identify our own God-given talents and abilities, dedicating them to His service, and trusting that His favor will empower us to achieve His purposes.
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Cross-References

  • Ezra 7:28 (10 votes)

    And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God [was] upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

  • Ezra 8:22 (10 votes)

    For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God [is] upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath [is] against all them that forsake him.

  • Ezra 8:31 (8 votes)

    ¶ Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth [day] of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.

  • Nehemiah 2:18 (5 votes)

    Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for [this] good [work].

  • Matthew 28:20 (5 votes)

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • Ezra 7:11 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Ezra 7:12 (4 votes)

    Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect [peace], and at such a time.