Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do [it], and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
10. For Ezra had prepared (R.V. set) his heart &c.] The precise meaning of the ‘for’ which determines the connexion of the verse, is not very evident. The verse either explains the preceding clause and attributes God’s favour towards Ezra during the journey to the latter’s devotion to the Divine Law, or is added as a general comment on the whole preceding section, explanatory of Ezra’s resolve and expedition. Those who take the former view illustrate it by ch. Ezr 8:31-32. But the latter interpretation of the verse is to be preferred. It corresponds better with the somewhat abrupt mention of Ezra’s rule of life. It harmonizes with the description of Ezra’s character. ‘Ezra had set his heart &c.’ That fact lay at the bottom of the religious movement which he set on foot. It explained something very much more than the mere fortunate issue of the journey.
‘Had set his heart’. A not uncommon phrase, cf. 2Ch 12:14; 2Ch 19:3 ; 2Ch 30:19. In every instance the R.V. has rightly changed ‘prepare his heart’ to ‘set his heart’. The idea of the original is not ‘preparedness for the unforeseen’, but ‘fixity and stability of purpose’. Compare the expression ‘my heart is fixed’ (Psa 57:7; Psa 108:1; Psa 112:7) where the same verb occurs.
to seek the law of the Lord ] Cf. Psa 119:45; Psa 119:155; 1Ch 28:8. The search, no mere investigation of the letter, but for the sake of ascertaining the true principles of practical life embodied in the law, cf. 2Ch 14:4 ‘(Asa) commanded Judah to seek the Lord the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment’.
and to teach ] Those principles are self-diffusive, the teaching by example as much as by precept, cf. 2Ch 17:9 ‘And they (the priests) taught in Judah, having the book of the law with them’. Ezra’s purpose to search for truth, to live by it and to teach it his countrymen is an epitome of the ideal scribe’s career. We may compare Act 1:1 ‘All that Jesus began both to do and to teach ’.
statutes and judgments ] These words in the Hebrew are singular, and are rendered ‘a statute and an ordinance’ in Exo 15:25; Jos 24:25, where they are found together. The singular is generic. The two words are frequently found together in the plural: e.g. Lev 26:46; Deu 4:1; Deu 4:5; Deu 4:8; Deu 4:14; Deu 5:1; Deu 5:31; Deu 11:32; Deu 12:1 &c.; 2Ch 7:17; 2Ch 19:10 and Mal 4:4 ‘statutes and judgments’. ‘Statutes’ are the appointed rules or regulations of conduct or ceremony, ‘judgments’ are the duties and rights determined by equity, authority, or custom. The phrase is however used very generally without any close distinction in the shades of meaning.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 10. Ezra had prepared his heart] Here is a fine character of a minister of God: He prepares, hechin, he fixes, purposes, and determines, lebabo, with his heart – with all his powers and affections, to seek the law of God, and to do it himself, that he may be properly qualified to teach its statutes and judgments to Israel.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Ezra had prepared his heart, or, directed, &c., i.e. he had set his mind and affections upon it, and made it his chief design and business.
To seek the law, i.e. to search and find out the true sense and meaning of it, and thence to learn what sins or errors were to be reformed, and what duties were to be performed.
And to teach in Israel. The order of things in this verse is very observable; first he endeavours to understand Gods law and word, and that not for curiosity or ostentation, but in order to practice; next he conscientiously practiseth what he did understand, which made his doctrine much more effectual; and then he earnestly desires and labours to instruct and edify others, that they also might know and do it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10. Ezra had prepared his heart toseek the law of the Lord, c.His reigning desire had been tostudy the divine lawits principles, institutions, privileges, andrequirements and now from love and zeal, he devoted himself, as thebusiness of his life, to the work of instructing, reforming, andedifying others.
Ezr7:11-26. GRACIOUSCOMMISSION OF ARTAXERXES.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord,…. To attain to the knowledge of it, that he might be master of it, and expert in it, and know what was not to be done, and what to be done; he had set his heart upon this, bent his studies this way, and taken a great deal of pains in searching into it, in reading of it, and meditating on it;
and to do it; he was not only concerned to get the theory of it, but to put it in practice, to exercise himself in it, that it might be habitual to him; and the rather, as his view and intentions were not merely for the sake of himself, but
to teach in Israel statutes and judgments: and therefore it was not only necessary that he should have a large and competent knowledge of the laws, moral, ceremonial, and civil, but that he should act according to them himself, that so by his example, as well as by his instructions, he might teach the people.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(10) For Ezra had prepared his heart.It must be remembered that the providence of God over him immediately precedesnot as the reward of his preparing his heart, but as the reason of it. First, he gave himself to study the law, then to practise it himself, and lastly to teach its positive statutes or ordinances and its moral judgments or preceptsa perfect description of a teacher in the congregation. There is nothing discordant in Ezra saying of himself that he had thus set his heart.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. Prepared his heart to seek the law Or, set his heart to search the law. It had been the great aim and purpose of his life to be a student and expounder of the law. And the sequel shows how God honoured his efforts.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do [it], and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ver. 10. For Ezra had prepared his heart ] Which, without due preparation, would not have been drawn to any good. See 1Sa 7:3 Job 11:13 Amo 4:12 . An instrument must be tuned ere it can be played upon; sour wines need good sweetening.
To seek the law of the Lord
And to do it
And to teach in Israel
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
to teach in Israel. This was the chief duty of priests. See note on Deu 33:10.
Israel. Judah contained representatives of the whole Nation. See note on 1Ki 12:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
prepared: 1Sa 7:3, 1Ch 29:18, 2Ch 12:14, 2Ch 19:3, Job 11:13, Psa 10:17, Psa 57:7
the law: Ezr 7:6, Psa 1:2, Psa 19:7, Psa 119:45, Psa 119:96-100
to do it: Deu 16:12, Mat 5:19, Mat 7:24, Joh 13:17, Rev 22:14
and to teach: Ezr 7:25, Deu 33:10, 2Ch 17:8, 2Ch 17:9, 2Ch 30:22, Neh 8:1-9, Mal 2:7, Act 1:1, 1Ti 3:2, 2Ti 4:2, Tit 2:1, Tit 2:15
Reciprocal: Exo 24:12 – that thou Exo 35:34 – he hath 2Ch 30:19 – prepareth 2Ch 34:14 – the law Ezr 7:1 – Ezra Ezr 7:21 – Ezra the priest Mat 13:52 – scribe 2Ti 2:2 – who Heb 5:12 – teachers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 7:10. For Ezra had prepared his heart, &c. He had set his mind and affections upon it, and made it his chief business. To seek the law of the Lord To search and find out the true sense and meaning of it, and thence to learn what sins or errors were to be reformed, and what duties were to be performed. And to do it, and to teach in Israel The order of things in this verse is very observable: first, he endeavours to understand Gods law and word, and that not for curiosity or ostentation, but in order to practice; next, he conscientiously practises what he did understand, which made his doctrine much more effectual; and then he earnestly desires and labours to instruct others, that they also might know and do it.