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.
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. This verse introduces Ezra, whose name means 'help' (Ezra, עֶזְרָא), foreshadowing his role in helping restore covenant faithfulness. The description 'ready scribe' (sofer mahir, סֹפֵר מָהִיר) means 'skillful scribe' or 'expert scribe,' indicating not merely literacy but deep mastery of Torah. This expertise qualified Ezra to teach and implement God's law, combining scholarship with spiritual authority.
The phrase 'in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given' grounds Ezra's authority in divine revelation, not human wisdom. The law's source was the LORD, not Moses's invention, establishing objective divine standard for community life. Ezra's expertise was in God's word, making him prophet-like figure even without explicit prophetic office. His authority derived from Scripture, not institutional position or personal charisma.
The remarkable statement that 'the king granted him all his request' demonstrates God's providence. The phrase 'according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him' attributes the king's favor explicitly to divine intervention. God's 'hand' symbolizes power and guidance, showing that favorable circumstances resulted from divine sovereignty over royal hearts, not Ezra's diplomacy or political skill.
Historical Context
Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BC (seventh year of Artaxerxes), thirteen years before Nehemiah. His journey from Babylon took four months (Ezra 7:9), covering approximately 900 miles. The community he found had completed the temple but struggled with compromised living, particularly intermarriage with pagans. Ezra's mission focused on spiritual and moral reformation, complementing earlier temple reconstruction.
The description of Ezra as 'scribe' indicates professional expertise. Scribes were educated specialists who copied, interpreted, and taught Scripture. By the post-exilic period, scribes had become increasingly important religious authorities, a trend continuing into New Testament times. Ezra represents the transition from prophetic leadership (Haggai, Zechariah) to scribal-rabbinic leadership characteristic of Second Temple Judaism.
Artaxerxes' remarkable generosity toward Ezra (Ezra 7:11-26) contrasts with his earlier prohibition against building (Ezra 4:21). This apparent contradiction reflects either policy change or distinction between temple worship (which Artaxerxes supported) and walls (which he initially opposed). God providentially used the same king for both opposition and support, demonstrating sovereignty over political changes.
Questions for Reflection
What does Ezra's description as 'ready scribe in the law' teach about the relationship between biblical expertise and spiritual leadership?
How does the attribution of royal favor to 'the hand of the LORD' encourage believers to trust God's providence in difficult circumstances?
What qualifications should modern church leaders possess, based on Ezra's example of Torah mastery and divine calling?
Analysis & Commentary
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. This verse introduces Ezra, whose name means 'help' (Ezra, עֶזְרָא), foreshadowing his role in helping restore covenant faithfulness. The description 'ready scribe' (sofer mahir, סֹפֵר מָהִיר) means 'skillful scribe' or 'expert scribe,' indicating not merely literacy but deep mastery of Torah. This expertise qualified Ezra to teach and implement God's law, combining scholarship with spiritual authority.
The phrase 'in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given' grounds Ezra's authority in divine revelation, not human wisdom. The law's source was the LORD, not Moses's invention, establishing objective divine standard for community life. Ezra's expertise was in God's word, making him prophet-like figure even without explicit prophetic office. His authority derived from Scripture, not institutional position or personal charisma.
The remarkable statement that 'the king granted him all his request' demonstrates God's providence. The phrase 'according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him' attributes the king's favor explicitly to divine intervention. God's 'hand' symbolizes power and guidance, showing that favorable circumstances resulted from divine sovereignty over royal hearts, not Ezra's diplomacy or political skill.