Bible Commentary

Ezra 7:25

Ezra 7:25

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

And thou, Ezra. This conclusion would be by itself sufficient to remove the document out of the ordinary category of "decrees" or "edicts," and to render it, what it is called in verse 11, nishtevan, "a letter."

After the wisdom of thy God, that is in thy hand. i.e. "that is in thy possession." Set magistrates and judges. Both the words used are derived from roots signifying "to judge," and it is difficult to draw any distinction between them.

The one translated "magistrates" is that which gives its title to the Book of "Judges." Which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God. The latter clause is probably intended to be limitative of the former, and to consign to Ezra's government only the Jewish portion of the population, in which, however, are to be reckoned the proselytes (see comment on ).

And teach ye them that know them not. As the other inhabitants of Syria were not Zoroastrians, but idolaters, Ezra was given free permission to spread his religion among them.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Ezra 7:25

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Ezra 7 — OverviewEzra 7 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleEzra's precious name saluted us, at first, in the title of the book, but in the history we have not met with it till this chapter introduces him into public action in another reign, that of Artaxerxes. Zerubbabel…Ezra 7 — OverviewEzra 7 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeEzra 7:1, Ezra goes up to Jerusalem; Ezra 7:11, The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra; Ezra 7:27, Ezra blesses God for this favour.Ezra 7 — OverviewEzra 7 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter we have the lineage and character of Ezra described, Ezr 7:1, his expedition to Jerusalem, and of many others with him, Ezr 7:7, a copy of the commission King Artaxerxes gave him to execute, Ezr 7:11,…Ezra 7:11-26Ezra 7:11-26 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here the commission which the Persian emperor granted to Ezra, giving him authority to act for the good of the Jews; and it is very ample and full, and beyond what could have been expected. The…Ezra 7:11-26Ezra 7:11-26 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe reformer's commission. The insertion here of this decree of Artaxerxes at length, and in its original Chaldee form, is in more or less close keeping with the earlier parts of this book (Ezra 1:2-4; Ezra 4:11-16,…Ezra 7:11-26Ezra 7:11-26 · The Pulpit CommentaryPagan piety. It is certainly a striking fact that a second Persian monarch should have shown so right a feeling toward the people and the cause of God. We have in this Artaxerxes another illustration of pagan piety. We…