THEOSISJerome of Stridon
the congregation, from which all are separated due to sin; and afterward through Ezra, which signifies “the helper,” or by the Word of God, he is restored to Jerusalem.
Ezra 7:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
This Esdras went up from Babylon, and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God had given to Israel: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.
ה֤וּא עֶזְרָא֙ עָלָ֣ה מִבָּבֶ֔ל וְהֽוּא־סֹפֵ֤ר מָהִיר֙ בְּתוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥ן יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּתֶּן־ל֣וֹ הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ כְּיַד־יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהָיו֙ עָלָ֔יו כֹּ֖ל בַּקָּשָׁתֽוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Beda Venerabilis
Ezra, often referred to as the scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, played a pivotal role in the restoration of the lost commandments. Beyond merely rewriting the law, he is traditionally believed to have organized the sequence of the sacred texts, which had suffered destruction by fire. His arrangement was perceived as catering to the needs of those reading these scriptures.
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Ezra's name, which connotes "helper," serves as a vivid representation of the Lord. It is solely through Him that the faithful are perpetually rescued from trials, akin to a return from Babylonian captivity to the liberation of Jerusalem, moving from a life fraught with evils to one of tranquility and virtue as they strive forward in honorable deeds. In the second of the Psalms of Ascent, the psalmist calls to all who seek elevation, declaring that their guidance comes from the Lord, "my help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalms 120:2). Ezra emulated the Lord in his actions, leading a significant portion of the people back to Jerusalem, while also transporting the sacred funds and utensils destined for the temple's glory. Moreover, under his authority as high priest, he ensured the separation of his people from foreign wives. The Lord’s assistance was evident through Ezra, who brought many from captivity to Jerusalem, simultaneously carrying precious offerings dedicated to God for the temple’s honor.
The implications of these actions concerning the Lord’s mission within the Church are evident to those with insight, yet care must be taken to present this understanding to those less familiar with these truths. Ezra's departure from Babylon, accompanied by a remnant of the Israelites and descendants of the priests and Levites, symbolizes the tender care of our Redeemer. He, having taken on flesh, entered into the complexities of this world, remaining sinless, so that upon His return, He might liberate us from all corruption and guide us into the peace of the eternal realm.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ezra 7:28And hath inclined his mercy toward me before the king and his counsellors, and all the mighty princes of the king: and I being strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God, which was upon me, gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
- Ezra 8:22For I was ashamed to ask the king for aid and for horsemen, to defend us from the enemy in the way: because we had said to the king: The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him in goodness: and his power and strength, and wrath upon all them that forsake him.
- Ezra 8:31Then we set forward from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
- Neh 2:18And I shewed them how the hand of my God was good with me, and the king's words, which he had spoken to me, and I said: Let us rise up, and build. And their hands were strengthened in good.
- Matt 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
- Ezra 7:11And this is the copy of the letter of the edict, which king Artaxerxes gave to Esdras the priest, the scribe instructed in the words and commandments of the Lord, and his ceremonies in Israel.
- Ezra 7:12Artaxerxes king of kings to Esdras the priest, the most learned scribe of the law of the God of heaven, greeting.
- Ezra 7:9For upon 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 upon him.