Ezra 7:27
What does Ezra 7:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:27 means
Ezra breaks into doxology, blessing Jehovah, the God of their fathers, for putting such a desire in the king’s heart—to beautify the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem. He sees beyond political processes to God’s sovereign work in human rulers. The temple’s adornment is more than aesthetics; it signifies honor to God and the restoration of ordered worship. Ezra’s praise locates the true cause of the decree in God’s initiative. His response models the right posture when doors open for ministry: thanksgiving to the One who moves hearts and supplies means, ensuring that the glory goes to God rather than to human patrons alone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blessed be Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessed be Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Praise be to the Lord, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing into the heart of the king, to make fair the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Blessed <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah, God of our fathers, who hath given such a thing as this in the heart of the king, to beautify the house of Jehovah that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed be the Lord the God of our fathers, who hath put this in the king's heart, to glorify the house of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed be Jehovah theGod of our fathers, who has put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is at Jerusalem;
Context
The quoted decree ends, and Ezra responds personally. Verse 27 interprets all that has occurred as God’s doing, especially regarding the temple’s enhancement. This sets the tone for the final verse (28), where Ezra speaks of God’s lovingkindness, renewed strength, and the gathering of leaders to go up with him. The chapter closes in gratitude and readiness, transitioning to the list of companions and preparations that follow in the narrative.
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.
v.27This passage
v.28and hath extended lovingkindness unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 2:12
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
- Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:
- 1 Chronicles 29:10
Wherefore David blessed Jehovah before all the assembly; and David said, Blessed be thou, O Jehovah, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
- Ezra 6:22
and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Jehovah had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
- Isaiah 60:13
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
- James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.