Ezra has received official recognition from the Persian king. The letter of Artaxerxes (7:12–26) is in Aramaic. Some wonder whether it could be from the Persian king, since it has many Jewish details. Again, the king would have had a Jewish advisor, maybe Ezra himself. The letter also includes many details with a distinctive Persian flavor, such as “king of kings” and “seven counselors.” The letter presents five stipulations: (1) it authorizes Ezra to go to Jerusalem and to appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice (7:14, 25); (2) it provides funds to purchase sacrifices and temple vessels (7:15–19); (3) it requires the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates to give supplies to Ezra; (4) it prohibits charging taxes to temple personnel; and (5) it authorizes Ezra to teach and require obe…