this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to Yahweh his God’s hand on him.
Parallel Translations
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this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to Yahweh his God’s hand on him.
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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.
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this Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
Cross-references (32)
Passages linked to Ezra 7:6 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ezra 8:22 For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him.”
- Ezra 7:28 and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened according to Yahweh my God’s hand on me, and I gathered together chief men out of Israel to go up with me.
- Ezra 8:31 Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the bandit by the way.
- Nehemiah 2:18 I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
- Ezra 7:21 I, even I Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence,
- Nehemiah 2:8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.
- Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- Ezra 7:9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him.
- Ezra 7:11-12 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of Yahweh’s commandments, and of his statutes to Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now
- Ezra 8:18 According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen;
- Deuteronomy 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.
- Deuteronomy 28:1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that Yahweh your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
- Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Psalms 45:1 My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
- Isaiah 59:1 Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
- 1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
- Isaiah 50:2 Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make the rivers a wilderness. Their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst.
- Matthew 13:52 He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”
- Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease, until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
- Ezra 6:22 and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; because Yahweh had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of God, the God of Israel’s house.
- Nehemiah 1:10-11 “Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand. Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
- Nehemiah 2:12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on.
- Nehemiah 4:15 When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.
- Nehemiah 8:13 On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the scribe, to study the words of the law.
- Nehemiah 12:36 and his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them.
- Genesis 32:28 He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
- Nehemiah 8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
- Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t mourn, nor weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
- Nehemiah 12:26 These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
- Jeremiah 8:8 “ ‘How do you say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made that a lie.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain He showeth here what a Scribe is, who had…
He showeth here what a Scribe is, who had charge to write the Law and to expound it, whom Mark calleth a Scribe, Mark 12:28, Matthew and Luke called him a Lawyer or doctor of the Law, Matt. 22:35; Luke 10:25.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Ezr 7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and…
Ezr 7:6 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.
Ver. 6. This Ezra went up from Babylon] Together with many others, who were moved thereunto by his example and authority. He was (as one saith of Tiberius) imperio magnus, exemplo maior. Great men are looking glasses, according to which most men dress themselves; let them look to it, therefore, and shine as lamps.
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And he was a ready scribe] Or a nimble textman: his office was to write out copies of the law, and to interpret it. He wrote (say some) the Hebrew Bible out in Chaldee letters (the same that we now call Hebrew, the ancient Hebrew characters remained with the Samaritans) for the use of his countrymen returned out of Chaldea. He first ordained (say others) the vowels, accents, and Masoreth. A great scholar he was, and excellently well seen in the learning of Scripture: to which all other skill is but straminea candela, a rush candle, a small light, that serveth but to light men into utter darkness. Be wise be learned, saith the Psalmist; but in addition serve the Lord with fear, kiss the Son, &c., Psa 2:12 otherwise ye may be as learned as Varro, that general scholar; as Albertus Magnus, quem nihil penitus fugit, omnia perfecte novit, who knew whatsoever was knowable, as one saith of him or as Tostatus (otherwise called Abulensis), qui omnium scientiarum doctrinarumque arca fuit et emporium, saith Bonosius, that writes his life who was a living library; and yet ye may perish everlastingly. The Jews called their learned men Scribes, as the Persians did theirs Magi the French, Druids; the Indians, Brahmans &c. But he that is not a scribe instructed, and instructing others, to the kingdom of heaven Mat 13:52, shall hear, "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?" 1Co 1:20, Sapientes sapienter in infernum descendent The wise, wisely descend into hell. (Aug.).
Which the Lord God of Israel had given] The moral law, with his own immediate mouth (so that he might say with Joseph, Gen 45:12, "Behold, your eyes see, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you"), the other laws he ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator, i.e. of Moses, Gal 3:19. Hence Josephus calleth the Jewish polity a theocracy; and Prosper thinketh that they were called Judaei, because they received ius Dei, the Law from God. But we can give a better derivation from the Hebrew, viz. Jews, i.e. confessors, such as were those above, Ezr 5:11.
And the king granted him all his request] Giving him more and greater things than he dared desire. So great facility and flexibleness found he in this king, that he needed only to ask, and give thanks; as it is said of Tiberius, that he never denied his favourite Sejanus anything; but often prevented his request, and avowed that be deserved much more.
According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him] i.e. His sweet and singular providence, ever watching over, and working for those that are good, 2Ch 19:11. Such may well sit and sing as one did once,
Una est in trepida mihi re medicina, Iehovae
Cor patrium, Os verax, omnipotensque Manus.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Ezra went up from Babylon, with the king’s consent…
Ezra went up from Babylon, with the king’s consent and commission.
A ready scribe, i.e. a learned and expert doctor; for in that sense the word scribe is oft used, as Jer 8:8; Mat 7:29; Mat 17:10; 23:2,13; Mr 12:28, compared with Mat 22:35,36.
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According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him, i.e. by the grace and favour of God so disposing the heart of the king.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain This Ezra went up from Babylon,.... A second time;…
This Ezra went up from Babylon,.... A second time; for that he went up with Zerubbabel is clear from Neh 12:1, and is plainly intimated, Ezr 5:4,
and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; the meaning is, not that he had a quick hand in writing out copies of it, but was well versed in the knowledge of it; had studied it thoroughly, well instructed in it, and was abundantly qualified to teach it others; he was an eminent doctor of the law; so scribes, in the New Testament, who are the same with the lawyers, were such as were teachers of the law; the word here used in the Arabic language signifies to be expert, as Jarchi (o) learned from one of their doctors:
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and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him; either upon Ezra, giving him favour with the king, and so success and prosperity; or it may denote the divine influence of the God of Ezra upon the heart of the king, moving him to grant what he asked of him, even everything he desired: he seems to have been sent upon an embassy to the king from the chief men at Jerusalem; perhaps the governors of Syria had not so fully made the disbursements the king in his decree had required them to make, since the following commission chiefly respects such things; and he was sent on that errand to acquaint the king with it, as well as to persuade those that remained to return, and to obtain leave for it.
(o) Comment. in Psal. xlv. 1. "acutus ingenio et solers fuit", Golius, col. 2272. "in re exercitatus fuit et excultus", Castel. col. 2008. Ethiop. "docuit, erudivit", ib. col. 2007.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Went - With the king's consent and commission. Scribe…
Went - With the king's consent and commission. Scribe - A learned and expert doctor. The Jews say, he collected and collated all the copies of the law, and published an accurate edition of it, with all the books that were given by Divine inspiration, and so made up the canon of the Old Testament. Moses in Egypt, and Ezra in Babylon, were wonderfully fitted for eminent service to the church. According, &c. - By the favour of God so disposing the heart of the king.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 6. A ready scribe] סופר מחיר sopher machir…
Verse 6. A ready scribe] סופר מחיר sopher machir does not merely signify a speedy writer or an excellent penman, but one who was eminently skilful in expounding the law. In this sense the word γραμματευς, scribe, is repeatedly used in the New Testament, and we find that both in the Old and New Testament it had the same signification. The Syriac gives the sense of the word by translating [Persian] sophro chocimo, a wise scribe, or expounder.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Ezr 7:6. This Ezra went up from Babylon —…
Ezr 7:6. This Ezra went up from Babylon — With the king’s consent and commission. And he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses — He is called a scribe, as Buxtorf observes in his Tiberias, not from writing and describing, but from declaring and explicating those things that are contained in the Scripture. For, as ספר, sepher, signifies a book, so סופר, sopher, signifies one skilful and learned in that book, an interpreter and teacher out of it. And, there being no book comparable to the book of the law, therefore Sopher became a name of great dignity, and signified one that taught God’s law, and expounded it to his people. Thus, in the New Testament, the scribes were those who instructed the people in the law. It is said he was a ready scribe, because he was expert in the law, and understood it thoroughly, both in all things belonging to the priesthood, and to the civil power; in which he was so well versed, that he could give a ready account of any part of it. The Jews say, he collected and collated all the copies of the law, and published an accurate edition of it, with all the books that were given by divine inspiration, and so made up the canon of the Old Testament. Moses in Egypt, and Ezra in Babylon, were wonderfully fitted for eminent service in the church. This was the second time that Ezra came up from Babylon, for he came up at first with Zerubbabel, as we learn from Neh 12:1, and probably returned to Babylon to persuade those who had staid behind to come up to Jerusalem, and to obtain some further assistance from the king. According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him — God not only stirred up Ezra to this undertaking, but was so favourable to him as to incline the king to give a gracious answer to his petition.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain A ready scribe - Or, “a ready writer” Psa…
A ready scribe - Or, “a ready writer” Psa 45:1. The professional scribe was well known in Egypt from an early date (see Gen 39:4 note); and under David and his successors “scribes” were attached to the court as the king’s secretaries (2Sa 8:17; 2Sa 20:25; 2Ki 12:10, etc.). It was scarcely, however, until the time of the captivity that the class to which Ezra belonged arose. The “scribes” of this time, and of later Jewish history, were students, interpreters, and copiers of the Law (see the marginal references and Jer 8:8). They retained the knowledge of the old dialect, which was being rapidly superseded by a new one. The emphatic application of the title “the scribe” to Ezra marks the high honor in which the office was now held. Its glories eclipsed those of the priesthood.
The hand of the Lord ... upon him - The use of this phrase in a good sense is rare elsewhere (compare 1Ki 18:46), but is a favorite one with both Ezra and Nehemiah (see the marginal references; Neh 2:8, Neh 2:18).
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Went up, a second time, 2 Esdras xii. 1.…
Went up, a second time, 2 Esdras xii. 1. (Worthington) --- Ready. Hebrew mahir, "diligent," &c. (Haydock) --- Scribe, not so much noted for his skill in writing fast, or drawing up deeds, as for his knowledge of the divine law. (Calmet) --- The gospel sometimes gives the title of scribe to the doctors of the law, Matthew xxii. 35., with Mark xii. 28. It is peculiarly due to Esdras, who gave a correct copy of the Scriptures, and wrote them in a different character, leaving the ancient one to the Samaritans, that the people might be less connected. (Bellarmine, De Verb. xx. 1, citing (Tirinus) the most learned Fathers and Jewish writers. (Calmet, Diss.) --- The author of 4 Esdras (xiv. 19,) intimates that the sacred books had been all destroyed, and were dictated again to Esdras by the Holy Spirit. But this book is not of sufficient authority to establish so dangerous an opinion; (Haydock) which is refuted by the whole context of the Bible, in which we see that the law was never forgotten. (Calmet, Diss.) (Du Hamel) --- As Esdras was inspired, what additions he might make, must be accounted divine and authentic. (Calmet) --- Hand; protection, (Delrio, adag. 217,) or inspiration. (Menochius) --- God can incline the heart of the king, (Proverbs xxi.) to accomplish his decrees. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain This Ezra . . . was a ready scribe…
This Ezra . . . was a ready scribe in the law of Moses--The term "scribe" does not mean merely a penman, nor even an attorney well versed in forms of law and skilled in the method of preparing public or private deeds. He was a rabbi, or doctor, learned in the Mosaic law, and in all that related to the civil and ecclesiastical polity and customs of the Hebrew people. Scribes of this description possessed great authority and influence (compare Mat 23:25; Mar 12:28).
the king granted him all his request--left Babylon entrusted with an important commission to be executed in Jerusalem. The manner in which he obtained this office is minutely related in a subsequent passage. Here it is noticed, but with a pious acknowledgment of the divine grace and goodness which disposed the royal mind in favor of Ezra's patriotic objects. The Levites, &c., did not go at that time, but are mentioned here by anticipation.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 6. A ready scribe in the law of Moses…
6. A ready scribe in the law of Moses — Not merely skilled as a copyist, the lowest function of a scribe, but a man thoroughly versed in the history and meaning of the law. From the time of the exile the office of scribe obtained among the Jews a character and worth that it never had before. From being a sort of secretary to the king, (see note on 2Sa_8:17,) he now came to be a professional student and expounder of the sacred books. The age of Ezra was a time when the exiles would be especially anxious to gather up and preserve the ancient laws, and all the sacred literature of their nation. The masses of the people had lost the use of the ancient language, and spoke the Aramaic. The times demanded a class of men competent to collect and transcribe the sacred books, and to explain what was difficult and obscure in them. Ezra seemed providentially raised up for this position and work, and, according to Ezr_7:10, “had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” This ever after was the high office and work of the scribes in Israel, an order of men of which Ezra may be called the founder, and which superseded and took the place of the schools of the prophets (1Sa_10:5, note) of which Samuel was the founder.
All his request — Ezra had probably asked the king for permission and authority to go up with a body of the exiles to Jerusalem. Perhaps he also made request for the silver and gold and other gifts which the king ordered to be given to him. Ezr_7:14-22.
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According to the hand of the Lord… upon him — According as it was evident from his abilities and devotion to the law of his God, that he was a divinely-chosen instrument for some important mission.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 6–10. Arrival at Jerusalem
6–10. Arrival at Jerusalem
6. went up from Babylon] i.e. to Jerusalem, cf. Ezr_1:11, Ezr_2:1. It will be observed that this description of Ezra is given in the 3rd person. At Ezr_7:27 there is a change to the 1st person.
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and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses] Cf. Ezr_7:10; Ezr_7:12.
‘the scribe’ (Hebr. Sophêr) in the days of the Monarchy was the king’s State Secretary or Chancellor. Cf. Seraiah, the scribe (2Sa_8:17), Sheva, the scribe (2Sa_20:25) = Shavsha (1Ch_18:16): Elihoreph and Ahijah, scribes (1Ki_4:3): Shebna, the scribe (2Ki_18:18, &c.): Shaphan, the scribe (2Ki_22:3). Cf. Gemariah (Jer_36:10), Elishama (Jer_36:12), Jonathan (Jer_37:15).
During the latter days of the Monarchy, the name began to receive a special meaning as applied to those who were occupied in studying and copying the documents containing the sacred laws of the nation, e.g. Jer_8:8 ‘How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely’.
After the Captivity, the increased importance of the written law and the necessity of explaining its obligation upon the people brought ‘the scribes’ into great prominence. ‘The scribe’ took the place of the prophet and, in his influence upon his countrymen, eclipsed the priest. The name of Ezra is associated with the development of ‘the scribe’ and he is designated ‘the scribe’ as by an honourable title in Ezr_7:11, and Neh_8:1. He was the typical representative and in a measure the founder of the later type of scribes. Devoted to the minute study of the written law, he sought to expound it to his people and to impress upon them the duty of its rigid observance. (See Introduction.) To the same class perhaps belonged ‘the teachers’ mentioned in Ezr_8:16, and ‘Zadok the scribe’ (Neh_13:13).
The word ‘ready’ is the same as appears elsewhere in the O.T. only in Psa_45:1 ‘a ready writer’. Pro_22:29 ‘diligent in his business’. Isa_16:5 ‘swift to do righteousness’. A ‘ready scribe’ would be one prompt and skilful in interpreting the difficulties of the law. His quickness is the dexterity of his erudition, not of his pen.
the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given] R.V. the Lord the God of Israel, cf. Ezr_1:3. ‘The law of Moses’, see Ezr_3:2, Ezr_6:18, and cf. 1Ki_2:3, 2Ki_14:6; 2Ki_21:8.
The Divine origin of the law is here asserted with reverent emphasis. The expression is well illustrated by Mal_4:4 ‘the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and judgements’ and Neh_8:14 ‘The law which the Lord had commanded by Moses’.
all his request] What the request was, which Ezra preferred to Artaxerxes, we are not told, but are left to gather it from the letter of Artaxerxes (12–26). The word ‘request’ in the Hebrew denotes an eager quest, and occurs elsewhere in the O.T. only in the book of Esther (Ezr_5:3; Ezr_5:7-8, Ezr_7:3, Ezr_9:12).
according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him] This expression is characteristic of the writer. It occurs again Ezr_7:28, with the adjective ‘good’, Ezr_7:9, Ezr_8:18; Neh_2:8; Neh_2:18, and in a slightly different form Ezr_8:22; Ezr_8:31. ‘The hand of the Lord’ denotes the merciful favour, as may be seen from the context here and in Ezr_7:28, even without the addition of the adjective good: cf. ‘the eye of the Lord’, chap. Ezr_5:5. Similar is the phrase in 2Ch_30:12. From that ‘hand’ comes discipline as well as bounty, Job_2:10 ‘Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?’ Job_19:21 ‘the hand of God hath touched me’. In adversity ‘the hand of the Lord’ is described as ‘against’, not ‘upon’ a person. See Deu_2:15; Rth_1:13.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (6) A ready scribe.—The “ready writer” of Psa_45:1. Ezra…
(6) A ready scribe.—The “ready writer” of Psa_45:1. Ezra was a priest, and this title is rightly placed before that of scribe in what follows; but here at the outset, when he first appears in history, the title is used which expressed his pre-eminent function, that of guarding and interpreting the law (Ezr_7:10).
All his request.—This anticipates the letter of Ezr_7:11; a series of supplementary notes intervenes.
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According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.—The full formula for that special providence over God’s servants which both Ezra and Nehemiah recognised.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain This Ezra went up. See comment on Ezr_2:1, where…
This Ezra went up. See comment on Ezr_2:1, where the same expression up is used. He was a ready scribe in the law of Moses. On the meaning of this phrase, and the new position occupied by scribes" after the captivity, see "Introduction to Ezra," Which the Lord God of Israel had given. It is characteristic of Ezra"s piety never to forget that the law was not a mere human code given by an earthly lawgiver, not even a national treasure, the accumulation of centuries, but a direct Divine gift "the law of the Lord" (ver. 10), "the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel" (ver. 11), "the law which the Lord had commanded by Moses". (Neh_8:14) According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him. i.e. "by reason of God"s favour to him." God, by reason of his favour to Ezra, inclined the heart of Artaxerxes towards him, so that he granted all his request. The nature of the "request" is not directly stated, but may be gathered from the "letter of Artaxerxes," especially vers. 13, 14, 16.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 The king gave him anything he asked
The king gave him anything he asked
"The king gave Ezra anything he asked for"
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the hand of Yahweh was with him
The "hand" of Yahweh represents Yahweh's blessing or help. AT: "the blessing of Yahweh was with Ezra" or "Yahweh was blessing Ezra" (See: Metonymy)
in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes
This refers to the seventh year of his reign. AT: "in the seventh year that Artaxerxes was king" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
Ezra
Babylon
scribe
law
Yahweh
God
Israel
Levi
servant
temple
Jerusalem
Artaxerxes
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 7:6 Ezra came from Babylon, where there was still…
7:6 Ezra came from Babylon, where there was still a substantial and prosperous Jewish community. • The Hebrew term translated scribe is sometimes translated as “secretary.” It describes an educated and reliable individual who transcribed and interpreted official documents. Accordingly, many scholars think that Ezra functioned like a “Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs” in the Persian government. Here, however, the emphasis is on his scribal role of studying and teaching from the five Books of Moses.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.