Ezra 7

• Many years later, Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BC (Ezra 7:7–8), about fifty-seven years after the dedication of the second temple. Ezra had been recording events that occurred before his time, but now he begins to record his own history.

• son: In biblical genealogies, the Hebrew word translated as son often means descendant.

• Seraiah was the high priest under Zedekiah; Nebuchadnezzar executed him in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:18–21).

Ezra highlights his authority by listing his genealogy (record of ancestors). He traces his family line through Zadok, who served as priest under Solomon, and back to Aaron, the high priest and brother of Moses (1 Kings 2:35). This genealogy is clearly shortened. It includes only 16 generations from Aaron to about eighty years after the exile, while 1 Chronicles 6:3–15 lists 23 generations from Aaron to the exile in Babylon.

• Ezra came from Babylon, where a large and successful Jewish community still existed.

• The Hebrew word for scribe sometimes means "secretary." It refers to an educated and trustworthy person who copied and explained official documents. Many scholars believe Ezra acted like a "Secretary of State for Jewish Affairs" in the Persian government. However, the focus here is on his role as a scribe, studying and teaching the five Books of Moses.

• Ezra and his group planned to leave Babylon on April 8 but actually departed on April 19, 458 BC (Ezra 8:31). During those eleven days, he organized the group, gathered at the Ahava Canal, searched for more Levites, and declared a fast.

• To cover the 800-mile journey in four months, Ezra's group walked about ten miles per day, five days a week. Ezra knew his success was due to the gracious hand of his God (see also Ezra 7:6, 28; 8:22, 31).

Ezra had three life goals:

1. To study God's word

2. To obey God's teachings

3. To teach the people of Israel

He let God's word change his character and behavior to influence others' lives.

In this letter, King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the authority to assess the situation in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:14), offer voluntary gifts to God (7:15–20), acquire supplies and funds from local leaders (7:21–24), and implement legal reforms (7:25–26).

• the king and his seven counselors: The Greek historian Xenophon knew about this council (Xenophon, Anabasis 1.6.4–5). Esther 1:14 lists the names of the seven princes of Xerxes, who was Artaxerxes’ father.

• the Law of your God: The word translated as law in this verse is the Aramaic word dath, not the Hebrew torah (Ezra 7:10). This suggests that a Persian wrote this letter (Ezra 7:11–26).

whose dwelling is in Jerusalem: God's temple was in Jerusalem. Artaxerxes likely believed he was helping rebuild the house of Jerusalem's local god (see 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 24:1).

Like Cyrus (Ezra 1:4, 6), Artaxerxes allowed Jews in Babylon to send voluntary offerings to Jerusalem. A large amount was collected from the king, his council, and Jewish contributors (Ezra 8:25–27).

The items listed were usually used as offerings in worship (compare Exodus 27:20; 29:2; Leviticus 2:4, 13; 14:10; Numbers 28:7).

the God of heaven: The Jews used this title for the Lord (Ezra 5:11–12), and Cyrus also used it (1:2). The Persian king likely believed, like others in the ancient Near East, that each country's god or gods controlled their territory. Artaxerxes did not want to risk angering God and disrupting the peace of his empire by failing to provide the worship God of Jerusalem required (Ezra 7:19).

The tax exemptions for temple workers in Jerusalem were like the peace offerings given to people in other countries.

Ezra was to teach God's laws and govern the area where the Jews lived. He followed both God's laws and Persian civil law.