Bible Strands
Ezra 7:25
And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God commissions Ezra to appoint magistrates and judges to govern the exiled population west of the Euphrates, granting him administrative authority while explicitly exempting temple personnel from royal tribute (Ezra 7:24) and authorizing strict penalties for disobedience (Ezra 7:26).
The words — מֶ֣נִּי (Me.ni) translates literally as "appoint," and שָׁפְטִ֞ין (sha.fe.Tin) means "judges," forming the core administrative command of the verse.
The thread — This mandate echoes the earlier instruction to appoint local judges in Deuteronomy 16:18, builds on Ezra’s personal commitment to study and teach the law in Ezra 7:10, and aligns with the New Testament principle that wisdom is granted by God in James 1:5.
Why it lands — The text demands that leaders govern and instruct communities according to revealed divine statutes, requiring readers to submit to God’s law through study, practice, and teaching rather than personal opinion or secular tradition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.
- Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Psalms 19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Malachi 2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
- James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
- 1 Kings 3:28 When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12 Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
- 1 Chronicles 23:4 “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,