A ready scribe. — The “ready writer” of Psalms 45:1. Ezra was a priest, and this title is rightly placed before that of scribe in what follows; but here at the outset, when he first appears in history, the title is used which expressed his pre-eminent function, that of guarding and interpreting the law (Ezra 7:10).
All his request. — This anticipates the letter of Ezra 7:11; a series of supplementary notes intervenes.
According to the hand of the Lord his God upon him. — The full formula for that special providence over God’s servants which both Ezra and Nehemiah recognised.