Ezra 7:25

Ezra again addressed, empowered to appoint judges for Jews in the country W. of the Euphrates and to inflict penalties for the violation of the law.

after the wisdom of God, thatis in thine hand cf. Ezra 7:14, -the law of by God which is in thy hand". Law in its obligation, wisdom in its spirit.

magistrates and judges The former is the same word as the -Judges" (Shôphetim) of the book so called. The two words, if capable of distinction, represent administrative and judicial functions.

all such as know the laws of thy God No authority save over those of Israelite race or Jewish religion. But this commission gave Ezra and the community at Jerusalem the right to exercise special powers over all countrymen in Syria, Phœnicia and Palestine.

and teach yethem that know them not R.V. and teach ye him that knoweth them not. The injunction, expressed in the plural, seems to include the leaders of the Jews along with Ezra, with special reference to the -magistrates and judges" to be appointed. The primary intention of this sentence is to ensure instruction in the Law for those Jews. Who by living among the heathen had grown to neglect or to forget the obligations of their religion. It does not amount to a command -to proselytize", but would, no doubt, include the instruction of proselytes, and grant general permission to teach the Jewish religion.