Ezra 7:12 - Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now
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What does "Ezra 7:12" mean?
This verse, Ezra 7:12, is the beginning of a letter from Artaxerxes I, the Persian king, to Ezra, a Jewish priest and scribe living in Babylon. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"Artaxerxes, king of kings": This is a formal royal title used by Persian emperors. It signifies Artaxerxes' position as the supreme ruler over many subordinate kings and territories within his vast empire. It emphasizes his power and authority.
"To Ezra the priest": This identifies the recipient of the letter. Ezra is recognized as a priest, indicating his religious role and authority within the Jewish community in Babylon.
"the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven": This is a description of Ezra's special role and skills. It indicates he is a scholar and expert in the Jewish Law (likely the Torah or Pentateuch). He is responsible for studying, interpreting, teaching, and preserving the Law of God. This emphasizes Ezra's importance and the significance of the letter he is about to receive. The phrase "perfect God of heaven" is significant because it:
Recognizes the God of Israel as the sovereign of heaven, potentially a way for Artaxerxes to relate to the Jewish faith within the framework of his own polytheistic beliefs.
Highlights the perfection and completeness of the Jewish Law, reinforcing its divine origin.
"Now": This word signals a transition. It serves as a brief introductory word before the main message of the letter begins. It indicates that what follows is important and should be taken seriously.
In essence, this verse is an official and respectful introduction to a royal decree. It establishes:
The sender: A powerful emperor, Artaxerxes.
The recipient: A highly respected Jewish religious leader and scholar, Ezra.
The subject: Something of great importance related to Jewish law and the worship of God.
This opening sets the stage for the rest of the letter, which details Artaxerxes' authorization and support for Ezra's mission to return to Jerusalem and re-establish Jewish law and worship there. The titles and descriptions used in this verse are designed to lend legitimacy and weight to the decree that follows.
Ezra 7:12 - Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now
What does "Ezra 7:12" mean?
This verse, Ezra 7:12, is the beginning of a letter from Artaxerxes I, the Persian king, to Ezra, a Jewish priest and scribe living in Babylon. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"Artaxerxes, king of kings": This is a formal royal title used by Persian emperors. It signifies Artaxerxes' position as the supreme ruler over many subordinate kings and territories within his vast empire. It emphasizes his power and authority.
"To Ezra the priest": This identifies the recipient of the letter. Ezra is recognized as a priest, indicating his religious role and authority within the Jewish community in Babylon.
"the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven": This is a description of Ezra's special role and skills. It indicates he is a scholar and expert in the Jewish Law (likely the Torah or Pentateuch). He is responsible for studying, interpreting, teaching, and preserving the Law of God. This emphasizes Ezra's importance and the significance of the letter he is about to receive. The phrase "perfect God of heaven" is significant because it:
Recognizes the God of Israel as the sovereign of heaven, potentially a way for Artaxerxes to relate to the Jewish faith within the framework of his own polytheistic beliefs.
Highlights the perfection and completeness of the Jewish Law, reinforcing its divine origin.
"Now": This word signals a transition. It serves as a brief introductory word before the main message of the letter begins. It indicates that what follows is important and should be taken seriously.
In essence, this verse is an official and respectful introduction to a royal decree. It establishes:
The sender: A powerful emperor, Artaxerxes.
The recipient: A highly respected Jewish religious leader and scholar, Ezra.
The subject: Something of great importance related to Jewish law and the worship of God.
This opening sets the stage for the rest of the letter, which details Artaxerxes' authorization and support for Ezra's mission to return to Jerusalem and re-establish Jewish law and worship there. The titles and descriptions used in this verse are designed to lend legitimacy and weight to the decree that follows.