Ezra 7 8

Ezra 7:8 kjv

And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

Ezra 7:8 nkjv

And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

Ezra 7:8 niv

Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king.

Ezra 7:8 esv

And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

Ezra 7:8 nlt

Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in August of that year.

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 8 Meaning

Ezra chapter 7 verse 8 precisely records the culmination of Ezra's journey, detailing his arrival in Jerusalem in the fifth month, which corresponds to the seventh regnal year of Artaxerxes I. This verse signifies the successful, divinely protected completion of a four-month expedition from Babylon, marking a critical moment for the spiritual restoration and instruction of the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem through the ministry of Ezra.

Ezra 7 8 Context

Ezra chapter 7 sets the stage for Ezra, the "ready scribe" (Ezra 7:6), a priest descended from Aaron, and a dedicated student and teacher of the Law of Moses. The preceding verses detail his esteemed lineage and the specific commission given by Artaxerxes I, King of Persia, allowing Ezra to lead another contingent of Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem. This decree, detailed in Ezra 7:11-26, not only granted Ezra permission but also provided significant resources, materials for the temple, and legal authority to implement God's law among the people in Judea. Ezra 7:7 states that this return included priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants. Ezra 7:9 explicitly notes the journey's commencement on the first day of the first month. Thus, Ezra 7:8 marks the critical conclusion of this specific and vital leg of the return, showing the precise date of his arrival, signaling the transition from travel to active ministry and reform within the returned community. Historically, Artaxerxes I reigned from 465-424 BC. His "seventh year" (458 BC) allowed Ezra to fulfill his calling to teach and enforce the Torah.

Ezra 7 8 Word analysis

• And he came (וַיָּבֹא - vayyāḇō'): This is a singular masculine verb in Hebrew, explicitly referring to Ezra himself. The prefix "vay" is a waw-consecutive, which indicates a sequence of events, showing the direct completion of the journey initiated in Ezra 7:9. It signifies a definitive action, successfully accomplished, rather than a mere intention or plan. Its brevity underscores the direct fulfillment of his mission to arrive.
• to Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלָ‍ִם - yĕrūshālayim): Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, holds profound significance as the spiritual and political center for the Jewish people. It was the site of the Temple, the focal point of their worship, and the city prophesied to be rebuilt. Ezra's arrival here marks not merely reaching a geographical point but a divinely ordained return to the covenant city, foundational for the religious renewal of the remnant.
• in the fifth month (בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁי - baḥōḏeš haḥămîšî): This refers to the fifth month of the Jewish religious calendar, known as Av (or Ab). This month typically falls between July and August, a hot and often challenging time for travel across such a distance, emphasizing the rigor of the journey. The specific temporal marker reinforces the historical accuracy and detail of the record. Coming from the first month (Nisan) to the fifth month (Av) precisely details a four-month journey.
• which was in the seventh year (הִיא בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִית - hî' baššānāh haššĕḇî‘îṯ): This chronological detail firmly anchors the event within Persian imperial history, referencing the reign of King Artaxerxes I Longimanus. This precision is typical of biblical historical narratives, underscoring their reliability and divine preservation. It differentiates this return from earlier ones (like Zerubbabel's) and sets the stage for Nehemiah's later efforts, providing crucial chronological data for understanding the post-exilic period.
• of the king (לַמֶּלֶךְ - lammeleḵ): This specifies King Artaxerxes I, the current ruler of the vast Persian Empire. His decree facilitated Ezra's journey and mission. This seemingly simple phrase subtly highlights the providence of God working through human authorities, even foreign monarchs, to accomplish His purposes for His people. It points to God's sovereignty over earthly powers (e.g., Dan 2:21).

Ezra 7 8 Bonus section

The careful chronological dating in Ezra, exemplified in this verse, indicates the biblical authors' commitment to historical accuracy, demonstrating that these events were not mythical but tangible occurrences in time. This precision was crucial for the exiles who tracked the fulfillment of prophecies related to their return, such as those in Jeremiah 29:10. The lack of detailed accounts of the travel challenges, aside from mentioning divine protection, implies a remarkable ease and safety for a journey of this magnitude in that era, often interpreted as further evidence of God's miraculous provision. The four-month duration for the journey (from 7:9's first month departure to 7:8's fifth month arrival) speaks to the vast distance between Babylon and Jerusalem, a testament to Ezra's dedication and perseverance in his God-given calling. This return under Ezra’s leadership primarily focused on spiritual and educational reform, complementing the earlier temple rebuilding efforts, thus illustrating the multi-faceted nature of God's restoration plan for His people.

Ezra 7 8 Commentary

Ezra 7:8 serves as the climactic report of Ezra's journey, confirming his successful arrival in Jerusalem. Following a four-month expedition across potentially dangerous territory, this verse is concise yet loaded with significance. It highlights not only the successful navigation of a long journey but, implicitly, the protecting hand of God (as affirmed later in Ezra 8:31) that ensured Ezra and his company reached their destination unharmed. The precise chronological markers—"the fifth month" and "the seventh year of the king"—are hallmarks of Ezra's meticulous record-keeping. They provide concrete historical evidence, reinforcing the veracity of the account. This accurate dating situates Ezra's vital mission firmly within the context of Persian imperial rule and God's sovereign timetable. His arrival in Jerusalem, though briefly stated here, inaugurated a crucial phase of spiritual revival and covenant renewal among the post-exilic community, fulfilling the purpose for which God had called and equipped him. It also paves the way for the extensive reforms and teachings Ezra undertakes in the subsequent chapters, centered on the Law of God.