FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Ezra 7:1
KJVNow after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Read it in context
Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem
Start reading at Ezra 7:1 (Ezra 7:1 to Ezra 7:10).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
- 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
- 7:2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
- 7:3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
- 7:4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
- 7:5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
- 7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
- 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
- 7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
- 7:9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
- 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezra the priest and scribe supplies first-person material and is the traditional principal author. The complete book also incorporates earlier documents and third-person narrative. Biblical references: Ezra 7:6; Ezra 7:27; Ezra 8:1. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezra 7:1–8:36): Ezra receives authorization from Artaxerxes and leads a company of returning exiles to Jerusalem, with appointed priests and Levites. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Jewish community restored from exile, including those rebuilding its worship and ordering its life by the law. Biblical references: Ezra 1:3; Ezra 7:10; Ezra 10:1. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem. Read Ezra 7:1 through Ezra 7:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account is set after exile under Persian rule and distinguishes the returns and activities associated with different kings. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative moves from Persian-controlled exile to Jerusalem, with the temple and returning community at its center. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1 to Ezra 7:10). Start reading at Ezra 7:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The restored temple belongs to the history leading into the world of the Gospels. A broader connection to Christ concerns worship and restoration, not an assertion that each returnee or building detail is a direct prediction. See Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Join renewed worship with attention to conduct and communal responsibility. Apply the account's marriage-related actions with awareness of the particular covenant problem being addressed. interpretation
Cited: Ezra 7:1, Ezra 7:10, Ezra 6:16, Luke 2:27, John 2:19, John 2:21
Who wrote it, and how we know
Related passages
- A. M. 3547. B.C. 457. Artaxerxes Ezra 7:12,21 Ezra 6:14 Neh 2:1
- Ezra Ezra 7:10 Ezra 8:1-10 Neh 8:2-9
- Seraiah 2 Kgs 25:18 1 Chr 6:4-14 1 Chr 9:11 Neh 11:11 Jer 52:24-27
- Hilkiah 2 Kgs 22:4,8 2 Chr 34:9,15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezra 7
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Artaxerxes’ Letter for Ezra
Ezra 7:11–26FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Ezra Blesses God
Ezra 7:27–28FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Ezra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezra
Ezra concerns the return from exile, the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's later work. The narrative distinguishes successive Persian reigns; modern calendar dates are historical reconstructions, not dates printed in the verses.
The return authorized
Ezra 1:1–2:70FocusCyrus' decree and the returning people
Connection to the wholeThe decree and list of returnees establish the community undertaking the restoration.
interpretation The temple rebuilt
Ezra 3:1–6:22FocusWorship, opposition, and completion
Connection to the wholeThe rebuilding proceeds through opposition and renewed authorization until the temple is dedicated and Passover observed.
interpretation FocusThe law and a new arrival
Connection to the wholeEzra's appointment and journey bring a further group to Jerusalem and prepare his work among the people.
interpretation The community's unfaithfulness addressed
Ezra 9:1–10:44FocusConfession and covenant responsibility
Connection to the wholeReports of intermarriage lead to Ezra's confession and communal action, which must be read within this covenant and historical setting.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.