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Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect <i>peace</i>, and at such a time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect <i>peace,</i> and so forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, perfect <i>peace.</i> And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace. And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect <i>peace.</i> And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect <i>peace</i>. And now—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, perfect <i>peace</i> (greetings). And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of the heavens: Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, an expert in the law of the God of heaven: Greetings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezra/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Greetings from the great King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and expert in the teachings of the God of heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />From: Artaxerxes, king of kings To: Ezra the priest, a scribe for the Teachings of the God of Heaven: I wish you peace and prosperity!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"From Emperor Artaxerxes to the priest Ezra, scholar in the Law of the God of Heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />From: Artaxerxes, King of Kings To: Ezra, the Priest, a scholar in matters concerning the laws of the God of Heaven Greetings! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the perfect law of the God of heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Artachshasta, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the Law of the God of the heavens, and at such a time:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, and at such a time:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Arthasatha, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of the heavens, being perfected, and thus.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Artaxerxes king of kings to Esdras the priest, the most learned scribe of the law of the God of heaven, greeting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra, the priest, a very learned scribe of the law of the God of heaven: a greeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, greetings! And now,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Artaxerxes, king of kings, to the priest Ezra, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven: Peace. And now<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Artakhshisht, king of kings, to Ezra the priest and scribe, learned in the law of the God of heaven, peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“Artakhshesht the King, the King of Kings, to Azra the Priest, the Scribe, Scribe of the law of the God of Heaven, peace!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven, and so forth. And now<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, the scribe of the law of the Lord God of heaven, Let the order and the answer be accomplished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/7-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=1679" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezra/7.htm">Artaxerxes' Letter for Ezra</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11</span>This is the text of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, an expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel: <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/783.htm" title="783: ’ar·taḥ·šast (N-proper-ms) -- Or Artachshasht; or by permutation Artachshactu; of foreign origin; Artachshasta, a title of several Persian kings.">Artaxerxes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·ḵay·yā (N-mpd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">of kings.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5831.htm" title="5831: lə·‘ez·rā (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- An Israelite (Aramaic) corresponding to Ezra'; Ezra, an Israelite.">To Ezra</a> <a href="/hebrew/3549.htm" title="3549: ḵā·hă·nā (N-msd) -- Priest. (Aramaic) corresponding to kohen.">the priest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5613.htm" title="5613: sā·p̄ar (N-msc) -- A secretary, scribe. (Aramaic) from the same as cphar; a scribe (secular or sacred).">the scribe</a> <a href="/hebrew/1882.htm" title="1882: dā·ṯā (N-fsd) -- Decree, law. (Aramaic) corresponding to dath; decree, law.">of the Law</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/426.htm" title="426: ’ĕ·lāh (N-msc) -- God, god. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'elowahh; God.">the God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8065.htm" title="8065: šə·may·yā (N-mpd) -- Heavens. (Aramaic) corresponding to shamayim.">of heaven:</a> <a href="/hebrew/1585.htm" title="1585: gə·mîr (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To complete. (Aramaic) corresponding to gamar.">Greetings.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3706.htm" title="3706: ū·ḵə·‘e·neṯ (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. (Aramaic) or kaeth (Aramaic); feminine of k'an; thus (only in the formula and so forth)."></a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Nehemiah 2:7-9</a></span><br />I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-25.htm">Daniel 6:25-28</a></span><br />Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. / He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Esther 1:1-3</a></span><br />This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. / In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. / In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">1 Kings 4:21</a></span><br />And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a></span><br />In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a></span><br />who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1-4</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: / “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. / I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-1.htm">Haggai 1:1</a></span><br />In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-1.htm">Zechariah 1:1</a></span><br />In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1-2</a></span><br />After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-1.htm">Luke 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. / This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. / And everyone went to his own town to register.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-2.htm">Acts 18:2</a></span><br />There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-26.htm">Acts 25:26</a></span><br />I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/4-24.htm">1 Kings 4:24</a></b></br> For he had dominion over all <i>the region</i> on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">1 Kings 20:1</a></b></br> And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and <i>there were</i> thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/10-8.htm">Isaiah 10:8</a></b></br> For he saith, <i>Are</i> not my princes altogether kings?</p><p class="hdg">unto Ezra, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-10.htm">Ezra 4:10,11,17</a></b></br> And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest <i>that are</i> on this side the river, and at such a time… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">Accomplished</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Ezra</a> <a href="/ezra/6-12.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezra/5-7.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ezra/6-12.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/ezra/7-10.htm">Law</a> <a href="/ezra/5-7.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/25-2.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/6-16.htm">Accomplished</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Ezra</a> <a href="/ezra/8-17.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/23-7.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/ezra/7-14.htm">Law</a> <a href="/ezra/9-12.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/ezra/7-19.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Scribe</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-20.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/ezra/8-34.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-1.htm">Ezra goes up to Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-27.htm">Ezra blesses God for this favor</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Artaxerxes, king of kings.</b><br>This title reflects the Persian custom of referring to their monarchs as "king of kings," indicating their rule over multiple subjugated territories and peoples. Artaxerxes I reigned from 465-424 BC and was a significant figure in the Persian Empire. The title underscores the vastness of his empire, which included many nations, similar to the Babylonian and Assyrian empires before him. This phrase also highlights the political context in which Ezra operated, as he was under the authority of a powerful foreign ruler. The title "king of kings" is later used in the New Testament to describe Jesus Christ (<a href="/revelation/17-14.htm">Revelation 17:14</a>; 19:16), drawing a contrast between earthly and divine sovereignty.<p><b>To Ezra the priest,</b><br>Ezra is identified as a priest, indicating his lineage from Aaron, the brother of Moses, and his role in religious leadership. As a priest, Ezra was responsible for teaching the Law and leading the people in worship. His priestly status gave him authority and respect among the Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem. This role is crucial in the restoration of the Jewish community and religious practices after the Babylonian exile.<p><b>the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven:</b><br>Ezra is also described as a scribe, emphasizing his expertise in the Law of Moses. Scribes were scholars and teachers of the Law, responsible for copying and interpreting the Scriptures. The phrase "the Law of the God of heaven" acknowledges the divine origin and authority of the Jewish Law, distinguishing it from the laws of other nations. This title underscores Ezra's mission to reestablish the Law's centrality in Jewish life. The reference to "the God of heaven" aligns with the Persian recognition of the Jewish God, reflecting a broader understanding of divine authority beyond local deities.<p><b>Greetings.</b><br>The use of "greetings" is a formal salutation common in official correspondence of the time. It indicates the beginning of a royal decree or letter, setting the tone for the communication that follows. This greeting establishes the official nature of the document and the king's favor towards Ezra, which is significant for the support and resources Ezra would receive for his mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/artaxerxes.htm">Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who reigned during the time of Ezra. Known as "king of kings," he was a powerful ruler who allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and supported the rebuilding of the temple.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezra.htm">Ezra</a></b><br>A priest and scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. He was a leader among the Jewish exiles and played a crucial role in the spiritual and religious restoration of Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law_of_the_god_of_heaven.htm">The Law of the God of heaven</a></b><br>Refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which Ezra was tasked with teaching and implementing among the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/persia.htm">Persia</a></b><br>The empire ruled by Artaxerxes, which was the dominant world power at the time. It played a significant role in the history of the Jewish people during the post-exilic period.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city to which Ezra and the exiles returned. It was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the temple, which was being rebuilt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>God can use even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes. Artaxerxes' support of Ezra demonstrates God's control over world events and leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_scripture.htm">The Importance of Scripture</a></b><br>Ezra's role as a scribe underscores the importance of knowing and teaching God's Word. Believers are called to be diligent in studying and applying Scripture in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_exile.htm">Faithfulness in Exile</a></b><br>Ezra's commitment to God's Law, even in a foreign land, serves as a model for maintaining faithfulness regardless of circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Ezra's leadership was crucial for the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people. Spiritual leaders today are called to guide others in understanding and living out God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_favor.htm">God's Provision and Favor</a></b><br>The favor shown to Ezra by Artaxerxes is a reminder of how God provides for His people and opens doors for His work to be accomplished.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_artaxerxes'_decree_in_ezra_8_reliable.htm">How reliable is the depiction of Artaxerxes' decree in Ezra 8 when extant Persian documents make no mention of this event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/azgad's_children__1,222_or_2,322.htm">How many were the children of Azgad? One thousand two hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:12) Two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (Nehemiah 7:17)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ezra_4_6-7_conflict_with_persian_timelines.htm">Does Ezra 4:6's reference to Xerxes followed immediately by Artaxerxes in verse 7 create a chronological problem with established Persian timelines?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_ezra's_mission.htm">In Ezra 7:6-7, is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible confirming Ezra's authority and mission under Artaxerxes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Artaxerxes, king of kings.</span>--Artachshatra in Persian, Artachshasta in Hebrew. The Persian monarchs inherited the title here given from the Babylonians (<a href="/daniel/2-37.htm" title="You, O king, are a king of kings: for the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.">Daniel 2:37</a>). It is not used by the historian, only by the king himself.<p><span class= "bld">Perfect peace, and at such a time.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">perfect, and so forth.</span> The expression occurs only here, and is a difficult one. Our translation follows the apocryphal Esdras, and is on the whole to be accepted, a salutation being implied.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Artaxerxes, king of kings</span>. "King of kings, <span class="accented">kkshayathiya khshaya-thiyanam</span>," an equivalent of the modern <span class="accented">shahinshah</span>, was a recognised title of the Persian monarchs, and is found in every Persian inscription of any considerable length (Rawlinson, 'Cuneiform Inscriptions of Persis,' vol. 1 pp. 195, 271, 279, 287, 292, etc.). It was a title that had been used occasionally, though not at all frequently, by the Assyrian monarchs ('Records of the Past,' vol. 3. p. 41; vol. 5. p. 8), and naturally expressed the fact that those monarchs for the most part maintained the native princes on the thrones of the countries which they conquered (see <a href="/isaiah/10-8.htm">Isaiah 10:8</a>). It was less appropriate to the Persians, whose empire was in the main satrapial, but still had a basis of truth to rest upon, since the Persian monarch had always a certain number of tributary kings under him ( cf. 'Herod.,' 5:104, 118; 8:142; Xen., 'Anab.,' 1:2, §12; 'Hellen.,' 4:1,§§ 3,4,etc.). The Parthian kings took the title from the time of Mithridates I.; and from them it passed to the Sassanians, who style themselves <span class="accented">malkan malka</span>, from first to last, upon their coins. <span class="cmt_word">The God</span> <span class="cmt_word">of heaven.</span> On this favourite Persian expression see comment on Ezra 1:2. <span class="cmt_word">Perfect peace.</span> There is nothing in the Chaldee original in any way corresponding to "peace;" and the participle passage being translated as in the margin of the A. V. - "to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven." <span class="cmt_word">And</span> <span class="cmt_word">at such a time.</span> Rather, "and so forth," as in <a href="/ezra/4-10.htm">Ezra 4:10, 11, 17</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/7-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Artaxerxes,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֨רְתַּחְשַׁ֔סְתְּא</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·taḥ·šast)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_783.htm">Strong's 783: </a> </span><span class="str2">Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of kings.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְכַיָּ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(mal·ḵay·yā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">To Ezra</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעֶזְרָ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ez·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5831.htm">Strong's 5831: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ezra -- an Israelite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priest,</span><br /><span class="heb">כָ֠הֲנָא</span> <span class="translit">(ḵā·hă·nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3549.htm">Strong's 3549: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the scribe</span><br /><span class="heb">סָפַ֨ר</span> <span class="translit">(sā·p̄ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> </span><span class="str2">A secretary, scribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Law</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּתָ֜א</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1882.htm">Strong's 1882: </a> </span><span class="str2">A royal edict, statute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(dî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, that, because</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלָ֧הּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_426.htm">Strong's 426: </a> </span><span class="str2">God</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of heaven:</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמַיָּ֛א</span> <span class="translit">(šə·may·yā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8065.htm">Strong's 8065: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Greetings.</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּמִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(gə·mîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1585.htm">Strong's 1585: </a> </span><span class="str2">To complete</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/7-12.htm">Ezra 7:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/7-12.htm">OT History: Ezra 7:12 Artaxerxes king of kings to Ezra (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/7-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 7:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 7:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/7-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 7:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 7:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>