Ezra 7:6

“This Ezra went up from Babylon, etc.] A second time; for that he went up with Zerubbabel is clear from (<161201>Nehemiah 12:1), and is plainly intimated, (<150504>Ezra 5:4), and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; the meaning is, not that he had a quick hand in writing out copies of it, but was well versed in the knowledge of it; had studied it thoroughly, well instructed in it, and was abundantly qualified to teach it others; he was an eminent doctor of the law; so scribes, in the New Testament, who are the same with the lawyers, were such as were teachers of the law; the word here used in the Arabic language signifies to be expert, as Jarchi…”

“This Ezra . . . was a ready scribe in the law of Moses--The term "scribe" does not mean merely a penman, nor even an attorney well versed in forms of law and skilled in the method of preparing public or private deeds. He was a rabbi, or doctor, learned in the Mosaic law, and in all that related to the civil and ecclesiastical polity and customs of the Hebrew people. Scribes of this description possessed great authority and influence (compare Mat 23:25; Mar 12:28). the king granted him all his request--left Babylon entrusted with an important commission to be executed in Jerusalem. The manner in which he obtained this office is minutely related in a subsequent passage. Here it is noticed, but…”

“A ready scribe - Or, “a ready writer” Psalms 45:1. The professional scribe was well known in Egypt from an early date (see Genesis 39:4 note); and under David and his successors “scribes” were attached to the court as the king’s secretaries (2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 20:25; 2 Kings 12:10, etc.). It was scarcely, however, until the time of the captivity that the class to which Ezra belonged arose. The “scribes” of this time, and of later Jewish history, were students, interpreters, and copiers of the Law (see the marginal references and Jeremiah 8:8). They retained the knowledge of the old dialect, which was being rapidly superseded by a new one. The emphatic application of the title “the…”

“Went - With the king's consent and commission. Scribe - A learned and expert doctor. The Jews say, he collected and collated all the copies of the law, and published an accurate edition of it, with all the books that were given by Divine inspiration, and so made up the canon of the Old Testament. Moses in Egypt, and Ezra in Babylon, were wonderfully fitted for eminent service to the church. According, &c. - By the favour of God so disposing the heart of the king. Ezra 7:10”

“7:6 Ezra came from Babylon, where there was still a substantial and prosperous Jewish community. • The Hebrew term translated scribe is sometimes translated as “secretary.” It describes an educated and reliable individual who transcribed and interpreted official documents. Accordingly, many scholars think that Ezra functioned like a “Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs” in the Persian government. Here, however, the emphasis is on his scribal role of studying and teaching from the five Books of Moses.”

“a ready: Sopher mahir does not merely signify a speedy writer, or an excellent penman, but one eminently skilful in expounding the law, sophro chochmo, "a wise scribe," as the Syriac renders. Ezr 7:11, Ezr 7:12, Ezr 7:21; Psa 45:1; Mat 13:52 scribe: Neh 8:4, Neh 8:9, Neh 8:13, Neh 12:26, Neh 12:36; Jer 8:8; Co1 1:20 the law: Deu 4:5, Deu 28:1; Mat 28:20; Co1 15:1; Th1 4:1, Th1 4:2 granted him: Ezra 7:11-26 according to: Ezr 7:9, Ezr 7:28, Ezr 6:22, Ezr 8:18, Ezr 8:22, Ezr 8:31; Gen 32:28; Neh 1:10, Neh 1:11, Neh 2:8, Neh 2:12, Neh 2:18, Neh 4:15; Pro 3:6; Isa 50:2, Isa 59:1 Ezra 7:7”