Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, Blessed be the LORDThe phrase "Blessed be the LORD" is a common doxology in the Hebrew Scriptures, expressing praise and gratitude to Yahweh. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "barak," which conveys a sense of adoration and reverence. This opening sets a tone of worship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a deep-seated tradition in Jewish worship, where God is continually praised for His mighty acts and faithfulness to His covenant people. the God of our fathers
This phrase emphasizes continuity and faithfulness, linking the present generation with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores the covenant relationship that God has maintained with Israel throughout history. The use of "our fathers" serves as a reminder of the shared heritage and the promises God made to the ancestors of Israel, which He continues to fulfill. who has put it into the king’s heart
Here, the sovereignty of God is highlighted, showing that He can influence the hearts of rulers and leaders. The phrase suggests divine intervention, where God actively guides the decisions of earthly kings to fulfill His purposes. This reflects the biblical theme that God is in control of history and can use even pagan kings to accomplish His will, as seen in the case of King Artaxerxes of Persia. to beautify the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites. The term "beautify" indicates not just physical adornment but also a restoration of the temple's spiritual significance and glory. This reflects the importance of the temple as a symbol of God's presence among His people and the center of religious life in Israel. in Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds a special place in biblical history as the city chosen by God for His temple and the capital of the united kingdom under David and Solomon. It is a city of great spiritual significance, representing God's dwelling place on earth and the focal point of Jewish worship. The mention of Jerusalem here reinforces the idea of restoration and renewal, as the city and its temple are central to the identity and faith of the Jewish people. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest, Ezra was a leader among the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the spiritual and religious reform of the Jewish people. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is praised for influencing the king's heart to support the beautification of the temple in Jerusalem. 3. The KingRefers to Artaxerxes I of Persia, who issued a decree allowing Ezra and other exiles to return to Jerusalem and provided resources for the temple. 4. The House of the LORDThe temple in Jerusalem, which was central to Jewish worship and identity. The beautification of the temple signifies a renewal of worship and dedication to God. 5. JerusalemThe holy city of the Jewish people, where the temple was located. It was the center of Jewish religious life and the place where God's presence dwelt among His people. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control of all circumstances, including the hearts of rulers. Trust in His ability to work through unexpected channels for His purposes. The Importance of WorshipThe beautification of the temple underscores the value of worship and maintaining a place dedicated to God's glory. Consider how we can prioritize worship in our own lives. Gratitude and PraiseEzra's response is one of blessing and gratitude. Cultivate a heart of thankfulness for God's provision and intervention in our lives. Divine InfluenceUnderstand that God can influence leaders and authorities to fulfill His plans. Pray for leaders and trust in God's overarching plan. Community and RestorationThe beautification of the temple was a communal effort. Engage in community efforts that restore and build up the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ezra 7:27 demonstrate God's sovereignty over the hearts of rulers, and how can this encourage us in our current political climate? 2. In what ways can we "beautify" our own places of worship or personal spiritual lives to honor God? 3. How does Ezra's response of blessing and gratitude challenge us to respond to God's work in our lives? 4. What are some modern examples of God using unexpected people or circumstances to fulfill His purposes, similar to how He used King Artaxerxes? 5. How can we actively participate in the restoration and building up of our faith communities, drawing parallels from the beautification of the temple? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2Nehemiah also received favor from a Persian king to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, showing God's continued influence over foreign rulers for the benefit of His people. Proverbs 21:1This verse highlights that the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, illustrating God's sovereignty over rulers and nations. 1 Kings 8:17-19Solomon's desire to build the temple reflects the ongoing importance of the temple as a place of worship and God's dwelling. Psalm 127:1Emphasizes that unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain, underscoring the divine initiative in the temple's beautification. People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Adorn, Beautify, Blessed, Bring, Fair, Fathers, Heart, Honor, Jerusalem, King's, PraiseDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:27 5014 heart, human Ezra 7:27-28 1055 God, grace and mercy
6667 grace, in OT
8221 courage, strength from God Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleReading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 7:27 NIVEzra 7:27 NLTEzra 7:27 ESVEzra 7:27 NASBEzra 7:27 KJV
Ezra 7:27 Commentaries
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