King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:21 Mean?

Ezra 7:21 in the King James Version says “And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ez...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,”

Ezra 7:21 · KJV

Context

19

The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

20

And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.

21

And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

22

Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. measures: Chaldee, cors

23

Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? Whatsoever: Chaldee, Whatsoever is of the decree

Read Ezra 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Artaxerxes' decree to treasurers—'I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily'—commands provincial officials to supply Ezra's needs. The emphatic 'I, even I' asserts personal royal authority. The command for speedy compliance prevented bureaucratic delays. God's sovereignty operates through governmental structures to facilitate His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Treasurers 'beyond the river' (west of Euphrates) controlled provincial funds throughout Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine. The decree gave Ezra authority to requisition resources from these officials, overriding potential local resistance. The requirement for 'speedily' execution prevented officials from stonewalling through procedural delays. This administrative thoroughness demonstrates Persian bureaucratic efficiency and God's providence in securing practical support.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty extend to administrative details like treasury access and bureaucratic compliance?
  2. What does the command for speedy execution teach about God's purposes not being subject to human delays or obstruction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּ֠מִנִּי1 of 24

“And I”

H4481

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

אֲנָ֞ה2 of 24

“even I”

H576

i

אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא3 of 24

“Artaxerxes”

H783

artachshasta (or artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several persian kings

מַלְכָּא֙4 of 24

“the king”

H4430

a king

שִׂ֣ים5 of 24

“do make”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

טְעֵ֔ם6 of 24

“a decree”

H2942

properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)

כָל7 of 24

“to all”

H3606

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

גִּזַּֽבְרַיָּ֔א8 of 24

“the treasurers”

H1490

treasurer

דִּ֖י9 of 24
H1768

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

בַּֽעֲבַ֣ר10 of 24

“which are beyond”

H5675

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

נַֽהֲרָ֑ה11 of 24

“the river”

H5103

a river, especially the euphrates

דִּ֣י12 of 24
H1768

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

כָל13 of 24

“to all”

H3606

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

דִּ֣י14 of 24
H1768

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

יִ֠שְׁאֲלֶנְכוֹן15 of 24

“shall require”

H7593

to ask

עֶזְרָ֨א16 of 24

“that whatsoever Ezra”

H5831

ezra, an israelite

כָהֲנָ֜ה17 of 24

“the priest”

H3549

one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

סָפַ֤ר18 of 24

“the scribe”

H5613

a scribe (secular or sacred)

דָּתָא֙19 of 24

“of the law”

H1882

a royal edict or statute

דִּֽי20 of 24
H1768

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

אֱלָ֣הּ21 of 24

“of the God”

H426

god

שְׁמַיָּ֔א22 of 24

“of heaven”

H8065

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

אָסְפַּ֖רְנָא23 of 24

“speedily”

H629

diligently

יִתְעֲבִֽד׃24 of 24

“of you it be done”

H5648

to do, make, prepare, keep, etc

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 7:21 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 7:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 7:6Ezra 4:16Ezra 6:6Ezra 4:20Ezra 7:10-13

Places in This Verse

Beyond the RiverRegion · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E16 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezra 7 →

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