Ezra 7:13 kjv
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 thee.
Ezra 7:13 nkjv
I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.
Ezra 7:13 niv
Now I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who volunteer to go to Jerusalem with you, may go.
Ezra 7:13 esv
I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.
Ezra 7:13 nlt
"I decree that any of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may volunteer to return to Jerusalem with you.
Ezra 7 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 21:1 | The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions |
| Ezra 1:2-3 | Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem...’ | Earlier Persian decree allowing return |
| Ezra 7:6 | This Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses... The king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. | God's favor and guidance on Ezra |
| Ezra 7:10 | For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. | Ezra's commitment and purpose for the return |
| Ezra 7:27-28 | Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem... | Ezra acknowledging God's hand in the decree |
| Psa 110:3 | Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. | God's people willingly offer themselves |
| Exo 35:29 | The people of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, every man and woman whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded... | Freewill offerings for divine service |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Voluntary and joyful giving to God |
| Isa 45:1-4 | Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him... I call you by your name, I name you, though you know me not. | God using foreign rulers for His plans |
| Jer 29:10-14 | "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you, in bringing you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you... to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." | Prophecy of return from exile and seeking God |
| Ezek 36:24-28 | "I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses..." | Promise of physical and spiritual restoration |
| Neh 8:1-8 | And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel... So they read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. | Ezra teaching the Law to the returned exiles |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. King David also rejoiced greatly. | Joy in wholehearted and willing service |
| Num 8:14 | Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. | Divine selection and consecration of Levites |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day. | Priestly and Levitical roles in worship |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed... | All earthly authority ultimately from God |
| Zech 8:7-8 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the land of the east and from the land of the setting sun, and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness." | Prophetic promise of the final ingathering |
| Psa 122:1-4 | I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!... | Expresses joyful desire to go to Jerusalem |
| Phil 2:13 | for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God's enabling grace for willing hearts and actions |
| Acts 5:29 | But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." | God's decree overriding human authority when in conflict (though not the case here) |
Ezra 7 verses
Ezra 7 13 Meaning
Ezra 7:13 presents a royal decree from King Artaxerxes, stating that any Israelite—encompassing both the general populace and specifically the priests and Levites—residing within his Persian Empire, who genuinely desires and freely offers to journey to Jerusalem, is permitted to accompany Ezra. This verse underscores God's providential work through a pagan monarch, facilitating the voluntary spiritual and physical return of His people to their homeland, highlighting the importance of a willing heart in serving God.
Ezra 7 13 Context
The chapter introduces Ezra as a priest and a scribe deeply knowledgeable in the Law of Moses, on whom the "hand of the LORD his God was on him" (v. 6). He arrives in Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I's reign. The passage where verse 13 is found forms part of the detailed royal decree given by Artaxerxes to Ezra (verses 11-26). This letter grants Ezra significant authority and resources, not only to collect funds for the Jerusalem temple and regulate its services but, most crucially, to implement and enforce God's law among the people of Judah.
Historically, this event occurs nearly a century after the initial return from exile led by Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 1-6). The Persian policy, initiated by Cyrus the Great, allowed various ethnic and religious groups within their empire a degree of self-governance and the freedom to practice their religions, provided they remained loyal to the crown. Artaxerxes' decree aligns with this policy, enabling a crucial second wave of Jewish exiles to return. However, it also serves God's greater redemptive purpose. Through this edict, God orchestrates the return of a critical mass of Israelites, especially priests and Levites, under Ezra's faithful leadership, aiming for a deep spiritual reformation and the re-establishment of the Mosaic Law as the governing standard in Jerusalem.
Ezra 7 13 Word analysis
- I make a decree (וּמִנִּי שִׂים טְעֵם – ūminnî sîm ṭᵉʿēm): This Aramaic phrase denotes an authoritative, binding royal edict. Ṭᵉʿēm specifically refers to a decree from the highest secular authority, indicating its legal weight and implementation power across the vast Persian Empire. It shows the king's explicit approval and sanction for the subsequent actions.
- everyone of the people of Israel: This specifies the broad invitation. "Everyone" (kāl) signifies inclusivity, extending beyond specific tribes or groups. "People of Israel" emphasizes their identity as God's chosen nation, regardless of their location in the diaspora.
- and the priests and the Levites: These groups are explicitly singled out due to their indispensable roles in Israel's spiritual life. Priests were responsible for the sacrificial system and mediating between God and the people, while Levites served in the Temple, assisted the priests, and were often teachers of the Law. Their inclusion highlights the spiritual intention behind the return—the re-establishment of proper worship and religious instruction.
- in my kingdom: Refers to the Persian Empire, the extent of Artaxerxes' dominion. It underlines the king's universal authority within his realm, ensuring the decree's validity for any Jew anywhere under his rule.
- who freely offers (יִתְנַדַּב – yiṯnaddab): Derived from the Aramaic/Hebrew root nadab, meaning "to volunteer," "to be willing," "to offer oneself freely." This is a highly significant term. It emphasizes that participation in this return was entirely voluntary, not compelled by force or conscription. It points to a deep spiritual inclination and commitment of heart, aligning with the biblical principle that true service and offerings to God must come from a willing and joyful spirit (e.g., Exod 35:29; Psa 110:3; 2 Cor 9:7).
- to go to Jerusalem: Jerusalem, as the spiritual and historical capital, was the focal point of the restoration. This phrase underscores the religious motivation of the decree, allowing Jews to return to their spiritual center where the Temple stood and where God's name was honored.
- may go with you: This phrase grants explicit permission for the journey and emphasizes that it is to be undertaken under the direct leadership and accompaniment of Ezra. This delegation of authority to Ezra underscores his divine mandate and the trust placed in him by the king.
- "I make a decree... who freely offers": This phrase group showcases the interplay of divine sovereignty and human volition. God moves the king's heart to issue the authoritative decree, but the realization of this divine will also requires the voluntary response of individual Israelites. This balance highlights God's desire for willing hearts in His service, where personal commitment complements His overarching plan.
- "people of Israel and the priests and the Levites... to go to Jerusalem": This broader phrase highlights the comprehensive scope of the decree's invitation and its ultimate purpose. It wasn't just a general repatriation but a specific call to those vital for spiritual leadership and the nation's spiritual heart. The aim was the religious, social, and physical restoration of Jerusalem and its institutions as the center of the Lord's worship and law.
Ezra 7 13 Bonus section
- Divine Initiative in Pagan Hearts: The book of Ezra repeatedly demonstrates God's sovereign control over even powerful, non-believing monarchs (like Cyrus in Ezra 1, Darius in Ezra 6, and Artaxerxes here). This affirms that God's plans are unhindered by human governments and that He uses various instruments, even those unaware of His identity, to achieve His redemptive will for His people.
- The Power of "Freewill": The theological weight of "freely offers" cannot be overstated. It underscores a consistent biblical theme: God desires heartfelt, willing obedience, not forced compliance. This concept parallels later New Testament teachings on joyful giving and spiritual sacrifices, signifying that internal commitment is valued over external obligation.
- Aramaic Authenticity: The use of Aramaic for this decree within Ezra (chapters 4-7 contain significant Aramaic sections) lends authenticity to the historical account, indicating direct quoting or close recording of original imperial documents. This bolsters the reliability of the biblical narrative regarding the Persian administration's role in the Jewish return.
- Preparation for Ezra's Ministry: Allowing Ezra to lead this wave, specifically mentioning "may go with you," shows Artaxerxes' significant trust in Ezra. This trust, ultimately from God (Ezra 7:6), was critical for Ezra's ensuing work of bringing and teaching the Law in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:10, Neh 8).
Ezra 7 13 Commentary
Ezra 7:13 reveals the Lord's hand sovereignly orchestrating the return of His people to their land. King Artaxerxes’ decree was a direct outcome of God working through secular power (Ezra 7:27-28), turning the heart of a powerful ruler for His redemptive purposes (Prov 21:1). The phrase "freely offers" is paramount; it emphasizes that God desires willing participation, a heartfelt readiness to serve and return to Him, rather than compelled action. This call ensured that those who returned possessed a genuine spiritual zeal crucial for rebuilding Jerusalem's spiritual foundations and restoring obedience to the Law. The specific mention of priests and Levites underlines the divine priority for proper Temple service and instruction, vital for the spiritual health of the community. This voluntary migration marked another key step in Israel’s post-exilic restoration, enabling a second, significant wave of spiritual and national revival.