Ezra 7:25
What does Ezra 7:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:25 means
The king charges Ezra, guided by “the wisdom of your God that is in your hand,” to appoint magistrates and judges for all people beyond the River who know God’s laws, and to teach those who do not know them. This empowers Ezra to build a judiciary aligned with Scripture and to establish instruction as a public good. Knowledge of God’s Law becomes the qualification for office, and teaching becomes the remedy for ignorance. The verse dignifies biblical wisdom as the standard for governance in the province. It also shows that true reform is not merely punitive; it is educational, aiming to raise a community that understands and obeys God’s will.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye him that knoweth them not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people that are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye him that knoweth them not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you, Ezra, by the wisdom of your God which is in you, are to put rulers and judges to have authority over all the people across the river who have knowledge of the laws of your God; and you are to give teaching to him who has no knowledge of them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And thou, Ezra, according to the wisdom of thy God, that <FI>is<Fi> in thy hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may be judges to all the people who are beyond the river, to all knowing the law of thy God, and he who hath not known ye cause to know;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thou Esdras according to the wisdom of thy God, which is in thy hand, appoint judges and magistrates, that may judge all the people, that is beyond the river, that is, for them who know the law of thy God, yea and the ignorant teach ye freely.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thyGod, which is in thy hand, set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thyGod; and teach ye him that knows [them] not.
Context
With worship resourced, the decree turns to justice and education. Verse 25 authorizes a legal structure rooted in God’s Law and calls for broad teaching. This sets up verse 26, which supplies the enforcement mechanisms for those who defy both divine and royal law. Together they create a comprehensive system for shaping community life by Scripture under imperial sanction.
v.24Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, the singers, porters, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, upon them.
v.25This passage
v.26And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all diligence, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.
- Psalms 119:98
Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.
- Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
- Deuteronomy 16:18
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
- 1 Chronicles 23:4
Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Jehovah; and six thousand were officers and judges;
- Proverbs 2:6
For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: