Ezra 7 1

Ezra 7:1 kjv

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,

Ezra 7:1 nkjv

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,

Ezra 7:1 niv

After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

Ezra 7:1 esv

Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,

Ezra 7:1 nlt

Many years later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Ezra. He was the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 1 Meaning

Ezra chapter 7, verse 1 introduces Ezra, a prominent priest and skilled scribe, who embarked on a journey from Babylon to Jerusalem during the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. This verse signals a significant shift in the narrative and marks the beginning of a new phase of restoration for the Jewish community in Jerusalem, decades after the completion of the second temple. Ezra's esteemed priestly lineage is immediately established, connecting him directly to high priests of former generations, including Seraiah and the famous Hilkiah.

Ezra 7 1 Context

Ezra chapter 7 begins approximately 57 to 60 years after the completion of the Second Temple, described in Ezra 6. The previous chapters covered the initial return of the exiles under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the rebuilding of the temple after various obstacles. While the physical structure of the temple was re-established, the spiritual state and adherence to the Mosaic Law among the people in Jerusalem had significantly declined during the intervening decades. This period is historically known as a "silent" era in the biblical narrative concerning Jerusalem. Chapter 7 thus introduces a new phase of the post-exilic restoration, shifting focus from the physical reconstruction of the temple to the spiritual and social reformation of the community, primarily through the diligent application of God's Law. King Artaxerxes I Longimanus, who reigned from 465-424 BC, was a significant Persian monarch whose favor allowed Ezra to embark on this crucial mission to restore the divine order in Judah.

Ezra 7 1 Word analysis

• Now: (Hebrew: וְאַחַר, ve'achar) - This conjunction serves as a narrative connector, linking the current events to those described in Ezra 1-6, specifically the completion of the temple in Ezra 6:15. It highlights a significant chronological gap, emphasizing a distinct new phase of God's redemptive plan for His people.
• after these things: This phrase explicitly refers to the completion of the temple and related events in chapters 1-6. There is a period of roughly 57-60 years between the sixth year of Darius's reign (516 BC, temple completed) and the seventh year of Artaxerxes' reign (458 BC, Ezra's departure). This long interval indicates God's sovereign timing and patient preparation for Ezra's crucial spiritual mission.
• in the reign of Artaxerxes: This is a vital historical anchor. The Artaxerxes mentioned here is consistently identified by scholars as Artaxerxes I Longimanus (reigned 465–424 BC). His seventh year, when Ezra departed, would correspond to 458 BC. This precise dating connects the biblical narrative to verifiable secular history and underscores the meticulous divine orchestration of events.
• king of Persia: Indicates the overarching political authority controlling Judea during this post-exilic period. God's hand is seen in raising and directing foreign monarchs for His purposes (Dan 2:21).
• Ezra: (Hebrew: עֶזְרָא, ‘Ezra’) - Meaning "help" or "Yahweh helps." This name foreshadows his divinely appointed role in bringing spiritual aid and revival to his people. He is the central figure in the second half of the book, acting as both priest and scribe.
• the son of Seraiah: (Hebrew: שׂרָיָה, Serayah) - Seraiah was the High Priest at the time of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon, executed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25:18-21; Jer 52:24-27). This lineage confirms Ezra's high priestly descent, granting him legitimate religious authority for his task and connecting him to the pre-exilic glory and tragedy.
• son of Azariah: (Hebrew: עֲזַרְיָה, Azaryah) - Meaning "Yahweh has helped." Another crucial link in the esteemed priestly line tracing back to Aaron (1 Chr 6:3-15).
• son of Hilkiah: (Hebrew: חִלְקִיָּה, Ḥilqiyyāh) - Meaning "My portion is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my portion." This Hilkiah was the High Priest famous for discovering the "Book of the Law" in the temple during King Josiah's reign, leading to a profound national spiritual revival (2 Kgs 22; 2 Chr 34). This specific connection is paramount as it prefigures Ezra's own dedication to and reliance on the Law of God as the foundation for Judah's renewal.

Ezra 7 1 Bonus section

• The 57-60 year gap between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7 represents a period of quiet consolidation and spiritual decline within Jerusalem that necessitated Ezra's later intervention. This unrecorded period does not mean God was inactive, but rather that He was patiently preparing for the opportune moment for Ezra's mission.
• Ezra's journey and reforms reflect a shift in God's dealing with His people post-exile, from national independence to living under the Law as a covenant community, often under foreign dominion. This emphasis on the Law becomes a hallmark of Judaism from this period onward.
• The recurrence of "Ezra" (Yahweh helps) and "Azariah" (Yahweh has helped) in the lineage implicitly reminds the reader of divine providence and aid in every step of the people's return and spiritual restoration.
• The king's approval mentioned here, though not detailed until subsequent verses, highlights God's sovereignty over kings and empires to accomplish His will for His covenant people (cf. Pro 21:1, Dan 2:21).

Ezra 7 1 Commentary

Ezra 7:1 sets the stage for a critical turning point in Judah's post-exilic history. The seemingly abrupt "Now after these things" highlights a significant time lapse, almost six decades, since the joyous completion of the temple. This interval emphasizes that physical reconstruction alone was insufficient for true restoration. God, in His perfect timing, awaited the right person—Ezra—and the right political context under Artaxerxes to initiate a deeper spiritual renewal. Ezra's meticulously detailed lineage is not mere genealogical detail; it establishes his unquestionable authority and credibility as a priest in the line of Aaron and, crucially, links him to Hilkiah, who spearheaded a vital legal revival under Josiah. This profound connection signifies that Ezra's mission is divinely appointed and rooted in historical precedent, underscoring his future role in re-establishing adherence to God's Law in the heart of the community, which was now far more urgent than further physical rebuilding.