American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Ezra 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,
Reference
People
2
The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3
The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4
The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5
The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
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 on him.
Reference
Kingdom
Ezra 7:28
Ezra 8:22
Nehemiah 2:18
Nehemiah 2:8
Ezra 7:21
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:20
References God
Ezra 8:31
Ezra 7:9
Ezra 8:18
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, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9
For on 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 on him.
Reference
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.
Reference
Judgment
Ezra 7:25
Deuteronomy 33:10
Parallel theme
Matthew 7:24
John 13:17
References Lord
Psalm 10:17
1 Chronicles 29:18
Word
Malachi 2:7
2 Timothy 4:2
Psalm 1:2
Psalm 19:7
11
Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
12
Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
Reference
13
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezra 6:1
14
For as much as you are sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand;
Reference
Kingdom
Esther 1:14
15
And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
Reference
Kingdom
Ezra 6:12
Psalm 72:10
1 Chronicles 29:6
Parallel theme
2 Chronicles 6:2
Psalm 26:8
Psalm 9:11
Psalm 76:2
References God
Psalm 76:11
References Israel
2 Chronicles 6:6
References Jerusalem
Psalm 135:21
16
And all the silver and gold that you can find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
Reference
17
That you may buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 2:14
18
And whatever shall seem good to you, and to your brothers, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
19
The vessels also that are given you for the service of the house of your God, those deliver you before the God of Jerusalem.
20
And whatever more shall be needful for the house of your God, which you shall have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.
Reference
Kingdom
Ezra 6:4
21
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
Reference
22
To an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
23
Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 119:4
24
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, on them.
Reference
25
And you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach you them that know them not.
Reference
26
And whoever will not do the law of your God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him, whether it be to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Reference
Word
Ezra 6:11
27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
Reference
Kingdom
Ezra 6:22
Revelation 17:17
Nehemiah 2:8
Parallel theme
Isaiah 60:13
James 1:17
References God
Hebrews 8:10
Nehemiah 2:12
2 Corinthians 8:16
References Lord
Hebrews 10:16
Summary of Ezra 7
Ezra Chapter 7 introduces Ezra and describes his mission to Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia. This chapter takes place several decades after the Second Temple had been completed. The first group of exiles had returned under Zerubbabel, the Temple had been rebuilt, and worship had been restored. However, the Jewish community still needed stronger religious teaching, organization, and commitment to God's Law. Ezra appears at this point as a priest and highly trained teacher of Scripture.
Ezra's genealogy traces his ancestry back through a long line of priests to Aaron, establishing his legitimate priestly background. More importantly, the chapter describes Ezra as a scribe who was deeply committed to the Law of Moses. His approach is presented in a powerful three-part pattern: he studied God's Law, practiced it, and taught it. His authority came not simply from possessing knowledge but from living according to what he taught.
In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, Ezra received permission to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was accompanied by priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants. The journey took approximately four months, and Ezra repeatedly recognized that the good hand of God was upon him.
Artaxerxes gave Ezra an extensive official letter authorizing his mission. The king permitted other Israelites to accompany him and instructed Ezra to investigate the religious condition of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra was also given considerable financial authority. The king, his counselors, and Jewish people in Babylon could provide silver and gold for the Temple, while Persian officials were instructed to supply additional resources when necessary. The decree even specified large quantities of silver, wheat, wine, olive oil, and salt.
The king also granted tax exemptions to priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants, and other Temple workers. Ezra was authorized to appoint judges and magistrates who understood God's Law and to teach those who did not understand it. He was therefore being entrusted with responsibilities that went far beyond Temple worship. His mission involved rebuilding the religious and legal foundation of the Jewish community.
Artaxerxes gave Ezra significant authority to enforce both God's Law and the king's law. Serious penalties could be imposed on those who deliberately refused to obey.
The chapter closes with Ezra praising God. Rather than taking personal credit for the king's favorable decision, he believed that God had moved Artaxerxes to support Jerusalem and its Temple. This response reveals one of the central themes of Ezra: God could use even foreign rulers and imperial resources to accomplish His purposes.
Ezra Chapter 7 therefore marks a new stage in the restoration. The Temple had been rebuilt physically, but now the community needed to be rebuilt spiritually and legally. Ezra's arrival begins this second phase. He would become a teacher, priest, administrator, and reformer whose central goal was to help the people understand God's Law and live according to it.
Ezra's genealogy traces his ancestry back through a long line of priests to Aaron, establishing his legitimate priestly background. More importantly, the chapter describes Ezra as a scribe who was deeply committed to the Law of Moses. His approach is presented in a powerful three-part pattern: he studied God's Law, practiced it, and taught it. His authority came not simply from possessing knowledge but from living according to what he taught.
In the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, Ezra received permission to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was accompanied by priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants. The journey took approximately four months, and Ezra repeatedly recognized that the good hand of God was upon him.
Artaxerxes gave Ezra an extensive official letter authorizing his mission. The king permitted other Israelites to accompany him and instructed Ezra to investigate the religious condition of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra was also given considerable financial authority. The king, his counselors, and Jewish people in Babylon could provide silver and gold for the Temple, while Persian officials were instructed to supply additional resources when necessary. The decree even specified large quantities of silver, wheat, wine, olive oil, and salt.
The king also granted tax exemptions to priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Temple servants, and other Temple workers. Ezra was authorized to appoint judges and magistrates who understood God's Law and to teach those who did not understand it. He was therefore being entrusted with responsibilities that went far beyond Temple worship. His mission involved rebuilding the religious and legal foundation of the Jewish community.
Artaxerxes gave Ezra significant authority to enforce both God's Law and the king's law. Serious penalties could be imposed on those who deliberately refused to obey.
The chapter closes with Ezra praising God. Rather than taking personal credit for the king's favorable decision, he believed that God had moved Artaxerxes to support Jerusalem and its Temple. This response reveals one of the central themes of Ezra: God could use even foreign rulers and imperial resources to accomplish His purposes.
Ezra Chapter 7 therefore marks a new stage in the restoration. The Temple had been rebuilt physically, but now the community needed to be rebuilt spiritually and legally. Ezra's arrival begins this second phase. He would become a teacher, priest, administrator, and reformer whose central goal was to help the people understand God's Law and live according to it.