King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:14 Mean?

Ezra 7:14 in the King James Version says “Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, accordi...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; of the king: Chaldee, from before the king”

Ezra 7:14 · KJV

Context

12

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. unto: or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc

13

I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

14

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; of the king: Chaldee, from before the king

15

And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

16

And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand. This verse reveals Ezra's royal commission from Artaxerxes I. The phrase sent of the king uses Aramaic shelach (שְׁלִיחַ), indicating official ambassadorial status—Ezra traveled as the king's authorized representative, not merely as private pilgrim.

The 'seven counsellors' reflects Persian governmental structure. Daniel 6:7 mentions similar advisory councils. This shows Ezra's mission had empire-level authorization. The purpose—to enquire (beqar, בְּקַר, 'to investigate/examine')—gave Ezra authority to inspect conditions in Judah and ensure compliance with both Persian policy and Jewish law.

The crucial phrase the law of thy God which is in thine hand identifies Ezra as Torah scholar carrying authoritative Scripture. The Aramaic emphasizes possession—Ezra held God's written revelation and bore responsibility to implement it. This royal decree authorized Torah as governing law for the Jewish community, making divine law civil law. The pagan king enforced God's law.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Artaxerxes I reigned 465-424 BC. His decree came in his seventh year (458 BC), thirteen years before Nehemiah's mission (445 BC). Persian policy granted ethnic-religious communities autonomy under their traditional laws, provided they maintained loyalty to the empire. This explains royal support for Torah implementation.

The reference to 'law... in thine hand' likely indicates Ezra carried a written Torah scroll. Some scholars suggest this was the complete Pentateuch in substantially its current form. Ezra's later public reading (Nehemiah 8) suggests an authoritative, fixed text recognized as binding Scripture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does secular authority's recognition of God's law demonstrate His sovereignty over civil governments?
  2. What does Ezra's dual authority (royal commission and Torah scholar) teach about relating biblical truth to cultural contexts?
  3. How should Christians balance submission to governing authorities with primary allegiance to God's word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כָּל1 of 17

“as”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קֳבֵ֗ל2 of 17
H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דִּ֥י3 of 17

“Forasmuch”

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

מִן4 of 17

“of”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

קֳדָ֨ם5 of 17
H6925

before

מַלְכָּ֜א6 of 17

“the king”

H4430

a king

וְשִׁבְעַ֤ת7 of 17

“and of his seven”

H7655

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָֽעֲטֹ֙הִי֙8 of 17

“counsellors”

H3272

to counsel; reflexively, to consult

שְׁלִ֔יחַ9 of 17

“thou art sent”

H7972

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְבַקָּרָ֥א10 of 17

“to enquire”

H1240

properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e., (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider

עַל11 of 17

“concerning”

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְה֖וּד12 of 17

“Judah”

H3061

properly, judah, hence, judaea

וְלִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם13 of 17

“and Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

בְּדָ֥ת14 of 17

“according to the law”

H1882

a royal edict or statute

אֱלָהָ֖ךְ15 of 17

“of thy God”

H426

god

דִּ֥י16 of 17

“Forasmuch”

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בִידָֽךְ׃17 of 17

“which is in thine hand”

H3028

hand (indicating power)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 7:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 1:14Ezra 1:3Ezra 7:28Ezra 7:15Daniel 6:26Isaiah 8:20

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 7 →

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