Meaning, commentary and cross references
Ezra 7:10
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
NIV · New International Version
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
WEB · World English Bible
For Ezra had set his heart to seek the LORD’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
What does Ezra 7:10 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord,.... To attain to the knowledge of it, that he might be master of it, and expert in it, and know what was not to be done, and what to be done; he had set his heart upon this, bent his studies this way, and taken a great deal of pains in searching into it, in reading of it, and meditating on it: and to do it; he was not only concerned to get the theory of it, but to put it in practice, to exercise himself in it, that it might be habitual to him; and the rather, as his view and intentions were not merely for the sake of himself, but to teach in Israel statutes and judgments: and therefore it was not only necessary that he should have…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Ezra 7:1–10
He was a man of great piety and holy zeal (Ezr 7:10): He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, etc. (1.) That which he chose for his study was the law of the Lord. The Chaldeans, among whom he was born and bred, were famed for literature, especially the study of the stars, to which, being a studious man, we may suppose that Ezra was tempted to apply himself.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Ezra 7:7–13 (WEB)
7Some of the children of Israel, including some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God on him. 10For Ezra had set his heart to seek the LORD’s law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. 11Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the LORD’s commandments, and of his statutes to Israel: 12Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now 13I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.
Cross references
- 2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.
- Malachi 2:7
For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of Armies.
- Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
- John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- Psalms 1:2
- Ezra 7:25
You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them.
- Psalms 19:7
- 1 Chronicles 29:18
LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the heart of your people, and prepare their heart for you;