And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
Ezra the teacher stood on a wooden platform that they had built just for this occasion. Standing beside him were thirteen other leaders: on his right side were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and on his left side were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
This verse shows Ezra and thirteen other leaders standing together on a special platform, ready to read God's law to the people in a formal, organized ceremony.
📚 Historical Context
This took place around 444 BC when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and were rebuilding their community in Jerusalem. Ezra was a priest and scribe who had devoted himself to studying and teaching God's law. The wooden platform was built so that Ezra could be seen and heard by the large crowd gathered to hear the reading of Scripture.
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