Keraia
Ezra 7

Ezra 7:1

Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem · Ezra 7:1–10
Read Ezra 7

Translations

Modern
Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Traditional
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,
Literal
And after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
Latin
Post hæc autem verba in regno Artaxerxis regis Persarum, Esdras filius Saraiæ, filii Azariæ, filii Helciæ,

Original

Hebrew
English
Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

Notes

Ezra 7:1

  • 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 7:1–5

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Eleazar Ezra

People

Artaxerxes: Persian king during Ezra and Nehemiah's time Azariah: Grandfather of Ezra, descended from High Priests Ezra: Priest; scribe; led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem Hilkiah: The high priest who discovered the Book of the Law Seraiah: High priest during the reign of Zedekiah

Places

Persia: An empire that ruled over the exiled Jews

Glossary

Aaron Azariah Book of Ezra Book of Jeremiah Bukki Eleazar Ezra (Person) First Book of Esdras Hilkiah Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Postexilic Period Seraiah

Topics

Artaxerxes: King of Persia--Decree of, in Behalf of the Jews Azariah: Son of Hilkiah Ezra: A Famous Scribe and Priest Ezra: A Leading Priest Among the Colonists Under Zerubbabel: Genealogy of the Jews Who Returned from the Captivity Hilkiah: High Priest Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Artaxerxes Longimanus or Ahasuerus Persia: Artaxerxes Ii Priest: Duties of To Act As Scribes Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Artaxerxes Issues the Proclamation to Restore the Temple Services Rulers: Righteous: Artaxerxes, in Commissioning Ezra to Restore the Forms of Worship at Jerusalem Seraiah: Chief Priest at the Time of Collapse of Jerusalem: Father of Ezra