“And 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.”
You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which you possess, appoint judges and magistrates who may judge all the people in the provinces beyond the river, all those who know the laws of your God. This extraordinary delegation of authority grants Ezra judicial powers to administer Jewish law in the diaspora communities, making him effectively the imperial administrator of Jewish legal affairs. The reference to "wisdom of your God" recognizes that Ezra\'s authority ultimately derives from his connection to God\'s wisdom rather than merely from imperial appointment. This verse demonstrates that God can grant his servants authority to establish justice and order, and that secular rulers may recognize the legitimacy of religious law systems.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000