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,
Study Helps
Interpretation
The liberality of heathen kings to support the worship of God, reproached the conduct of many kings of Judah, and will rise up in judgment against the covetousness of wealthy professed Christians, who will not promote the cause of God. But the weapons of Christian ministers are not carnal.
Glossary
- Ezra Person
- Help. (1. ) A priest among those that returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel ( Neh. 12:1 ). (2. ) The “scribe” who led the second body of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem B. C.
- Beyond the River Place
- Biblical region. Modern identification: Jerusalem.