ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezra 7

Ezra 7:1–8:36 Ezra the Priest Comes to Jerusalem to Establish the Law of Moses. The text now skips ahead 57 years (see note on 7:1–7). Ezra the scribe is charged by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. This section tells of Ezra’s commission, his journey, and his companions.

7:1–28 King Artaxerxes Gives Ezra Authority to Establish the Mosaic Law. Artaxerxes gives Ezra the authority to establish the Mosaic law in Judah, to appoint officials to administer the law, and to provide for the further adornment of the temple.

Ezra 7:1–7 Ezra is introduced first as a priest, in the line of Aaron the chief priest. He comes to Jerusalem in the seventh year, that is, in 458 b.c., 57 years after the temple dedication.

Ezra 7:6–7 Ezra is a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. The people badly need instruction in the law. Ezra has apparently asked the king for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem (v. 7). Artaxerxes grants Ezra all that he needs, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (see note on 1:1). Ezra comes to Judah with a new wave of immigrants.

Ezra 7:9 the first month . . . the fifth month. The journey of 900 miles (1,448 km) from Babylon to Jerusalem took nearly four months. This was a slow pace, probably because the caravan included children and elderly people.

Ezra 7:10 Ezra’s mission was to teach God’s statutes and rules. These appear throughout Exodus to Deuteronomy, especially in Exodus 20–23, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy 12–26.

Ezra 7:11 Artaxerxes’ decree is in a letter in Aramaic (see note on 4:7–8) addressed to Ezra.

Ezra 7:12 The title king of kings was used by Persia’s kings. It expresses their sovereignty over many conquered peoples. Ezra is called the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. This may refer to a responsibility he had in Babylon, even before returning to Jerusalem.

Ezra 7:13–14 The decree from Artaxerxes echoes Cyrus’s decree in authorizing any Jews who wish to go to Jerusalem (compare 1:3). The charge to make inquiries about Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God no doubt reflects Ezra’s own priority, and perhaps his belief that the law is not being properly kept there.

Ezra 7:15–18 Ezra is permitted to gather further resources in the whole province of Babylonia. He is permitted to decide how best to use the resources.

Ezra 7:19–20 vessels . . . for the service of the house of your God. Artaxerxes adds these to the temple treasures previously returned by Cyrus, apparently as his own gift. He also allows Ezra whatever he needs from the public funds in the king’s treasury.

Ezra 7:22 The talent was 75 pounds (34 kg). The amount of silver has been estimated at a quarter to a third of all the annual taxes paid in the province Beyond the River. The wheat, wine, and oil would have been used for cereal offerings, for drink offerings, and for the lamp in the temple (Ex. 27:20; 29:2). The quantities would have supplied the temple’s needs for two years. Salt, supplied without limit, was for preservation and seasoning (Ex. 30:35; Lev. 2:13).

Ezra 7:23 In making these provisions (v. 22), the king may have been hoping to keep away God’s wrath against himself (the king) and his sons (see also 6:10).

Ezra 7:27 who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king. See note on 1:1. to beautify the house of the Lord. The author uses the same terms as Isa. 60:7 (see note on Isa. 60:5–7); he sees this event as fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.