Ezra
Summary
Ezra Chapter 7 introduces Ezra himself, a priest and skilled scribe well-versed in the Law of Moses. Approximately eighty years after the first group of exiles returned, Ezra was granted permission by King Artaxerxes of Persia to lead a second wave of returnees to Jerusalem. The king issued a generous decree, providing Ezra with silver and gold and granting him the authority to appoint magistrates and judges. Ezra's journey was successful because "the hand of his God was upon him," and his primary mission was to teach the Law and ensure it was observed in the land.
After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest,
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well-versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.
Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king.
He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.
For Ezra had devoted himself [1] to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel:
"Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
"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.
"You are sent by the king and his seven counsellors to enquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.
"Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counsellors have freely contributed to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
"together with all the silver and gold you may obtain from the entire province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests for the temple of their God in Jerusalem.
"With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem.
"You and your fellow Jews may then do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, in accordance with the will of your God.
"Deliver to the God of Jerusalem all the articles entrusted to you for worship in the temple of your God.
"And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury.
"Now I, King Artaxerxes, order all the treasurers of the Trans-Euphrates region to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you:
"up to 100 talents of silver, 100 cors of wheat, 100 bats of wine, 100 bats of olive oil, and salt without limit.
"Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and of his sons?
"You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.
"And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates, all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them.
"Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment."
Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honour to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way,
and who has extended his good favour to me before the king and his counsellors and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.