Ezra's Lineage, Call, and Preparations
Ezra 7:1-10
Ezr.7.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואחר: CONJ
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- במלכות: NOUN,f,sg,constr
- ארתחשסתא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- פרס: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עזרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שריה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזריה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חלקיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 2:1 (structural): Like Ezra 7:1, this verse is dated 'in the reign of Artaxerxes' and introduces a leader (Nehemiah) whose mission depends on royal permission, paralleling the book's use of the Persian court to frame the return/reform narrative.
- Ezra 7:11-26 (quotation): Contains the formal letter of Artaxerxes granting Ezra authority, personnel, and resources—directly connected to the opening statement that Ezra lived in the reign of Artaxerxes and received royal support.
- Ezra 8:1-2 (verbal): Repeats genealogical information and names associated with Ezra's party; parallels the genealogical introduction in Ezra 7:1 and underscores Ezra's priestly descent and leadership.
- Ezra 1:1 (thematic): Records Cyrus king of Persia's decree allowing exiles to return and rebuild the temple; thematically parallels Ezra 7:1's setting under a Persian king and the motif of Persian royal authorization for restoration activities.
Alternative generated candidates
- After these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
- And after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
Ezr.7.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדוק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיטוב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 7:1 (structural): Immediate context: the opening verse of the same chapter begins the genealogical listing of Ezra's ancestry (same names and priestly line).
- Ezra 7:5 (verbal): Continues the same genealogical sequence back to Aaron; repeats many of the same ancestral names and confirms Ezra's priestly descent.
- 1 Chronicles 6:8-15 (verbal): Priestly genealogy in Chronicles that includes the names Ahitub and Zadok (members of the Aaronic/temple priestly line), paralleling the priestly ancestry cited for Ezra.
- 1 Samuel 21:1 (allusion): Narrative reference to Ahimelech identified as son of Ahitub (a priestly name); shows the recurring priestly family names (Ahitub/Zadok) appearing elsewhere in Israel's history.
Alternative generated candidates
- son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
- son of Shalom, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
Ezr.7.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמריה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזריה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מריות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 7:1-5 (structural): Immediate context: the fuller genealogy of Ezra that contains the sequence of ancestors including 'son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth.'
- 1 Esdras 8:1 (quotation): The Greek/LXX-related recension (1 Esdras) furnishes a parallel rendering of Ezra’s genealogy, preserving the same ancestral names in the line of Ezra.
- 1 Chronicles 6:4-15 (thematic): Levitical/priestly genealogy in Chronicles preserves many of the same priestly names (Meraioth, Azariah, Amariah) within the Aaronic/Levitical lineage, showing common ancestral tradition.
- Nehemiah 12:1-11 (thematic): Postexilic lists of priests and families that reiterate priestly names (including forms of Azariah) and reflect the same priestly family continuity attested in Ezra’s genealogy.
Alternative generated candidates
- son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
- son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
Ezr.7.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרחיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 7:1-5 (structural): Immediate literary context — the fuller genealogy of Ezra in which v.4 appears; the same sequence of ancestral names is given to establish Ezra's priestly/Levitical pedigree.
- 1 Chronicles 6:1-15 (thematic): Priestly/Levitical genealogy in Chronicles tracing the Aaronic line and priestly families; parallels Ezra's purpose of situating a postexilic leader within the established priestly descent.
- Ezra 2:1-70 (thematic): List of exiles who returned from Babylon including priestly families and heads of households; parallels Ezra 7's genealogical material by documenting continuity of clans and priestly lines after the exile.
- Nehemiah 12:1-26 (thematic): Postexilic roster of priests and Levites involved in the dedication of the wall; parallels Ezra 7's emphasis on priestly lineage and the identification of families active in restored Jerusalem worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- son of Zerahiah, son of Uzi, son of Bukki,
- son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
Ezr.7.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבישוע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פינחס: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלעזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 6:3-4 (verbal): Direct genealogical parallel: lists Eleazar → Phinehas → Abishua (Abishua) as successive descendants in the Aaronide priestly line.
- Exodus 6:23 (verbal): Establishes Aaron as the father of Eleazar (linking Ezra’s lineage back to Aaron); provides the foundational identification of Eleazar as a son of Aaron.
- Numbers 25:11-13 (thematic): Treats Phinehas (Phinehas son of Eleazar) and the priestly covenant granted to him—explains the significance and continuation of the priestly line named in Ezra 7:5.
- 1 Chronicles 24:3-4 (structural): Lists the divisions and heads of the priestly families descending from Eleazar and Ithamar, situating Abishua/Phinehas within the organized Aaronide priesthood referenced in Ezra 7:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.
- son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.
Ezr.7.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עזרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מבבל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהיר: ADJ,m,sg
- בתורת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כיד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- בקשתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 8:1-8 (verbal): Describes Ezra explicitly as 'the scribe' who brings out the Book of the Law and reads/teaches it to the people, echoing Ezra 7:6's identification of Ezra as a skilled scribe in the Law.
- Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (allusion): Moses writes and charges that the law be read publicly to Israel; parallels the concept of the Mosaic law being authoritative and read/taught to the assembly in the postexilic community.
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-21 (thematic): Hilkiah's discovery of the Book of the Law and the king's subsequent response highlights the renewed centrality and authority of the Mosaic law—similar theological emphasis to Ezra's role as guardian/teacher of that law.
- Malachi 2:7 (thematic): Speaks of the priest/teacher whose 'lips preserve knowledge' and from whom people seek instruction—parallels Ezra's function as an authoritative teacher/scribe of the Law.
- Ezra 7:10 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same narrative: verse 7:10 describes Ezra's dedication to studying, practicing and teaching the Law, expanding on 7:6's characterization of him as a skilled scribe.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was Ezra, who had gone up from Babylon; he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses—the law of the LORD of hosts, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given—and the king granted him all that he requested, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
- He was Ezra who had gone up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given; and the king granted him whatever he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
Ezr.7.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמשררים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והשערים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנתינים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שבע: NUM,card
- לארתחשסתא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezra 1:5 (verbal): Both verses enumerate leaders (heads of families, priests, Levites) who rise up to go back to Jerusalem — similar vocabulary and motif of organized return.
- Ezra 2:1-2 (structural): A census-style list of those who 'went up' from the exile to Jerusalem; parallels Ezra 7:7 in portraying a communal return including priests and Levites.
- Ezra 8:1-14 (thematic): Account of Ezra’s own journey back to Jerusalem with priests, Levites and Nethinim; parallels Ezra 7:7 in composition of the returning party and purpose of the migration.
- Nehemiah 7:6 (verbal): Nehemiah records the chiefs, priests and Levites who returned — a parallel list and leadership structure closely matching the social categories in Ezra 7:7.
- 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (structural): Narrative of the royal decree permitting exiles to return and rebuild Jerusalem; provides the imperial-political backdrop for the returns described in Ezra 7:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and the Levites, and the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
- And they went up from among the people of Israel, and from the priests and the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, and all who were subject to the king, to Jerusalem in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes the king.
Ezr.7.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- החמישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- שנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השביעית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 7:7 (verbal): Immediate companion verse reporting the same movement to Jerusalem — lists the people who came up with Ezra and their departure from Babylon (continuation of the travel notice).
- Ezra 7:6 (structural): The preceding verse supplies Ezra’s genealogy and official status, providing context for the arrival recorded in 7:8 (literary setup for the journey).
- Ezra 1:1-4 (thematic): The earlier decree of Cyrus inaugurates the pattern of Persian-authorized returns to Jerusalem; both passages mark official, dated repatriations under Persian rule.
- Nehemiah 2:1-8 (thematic): Nehemiah’s petition to Artaxerxes and authorized return to Jerusalem parallels Ezra’s receipt of royal permission and his coming to Jerusalem in a specified regnal year.
- Ezra 8:15-20 (structural): Later narrative describing Ezra’s preparations, selection of leaders and the setting out of the party parallels the logistical and chronological details surrounding Ezra’s journey and arrival.
Alternative generated candidates
- He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month; it was in the seventh year of the king.
- And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
Ezr.7.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- באחד: PREP
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הראשון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יסד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המעלה: VERB,hiphil,ptcp,3,m,sg
- מבבל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובאחד: CONJ+PREP+NUM,ord,m,sg
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החמישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כיד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 8:31 (verbal): Uses virtually the same wording about coming to Jerusalem and 'the good hand of our God' — a near-verbal parallel affirming divine favor enabling the journey.
- Ezra 7:6 (structural): Same chapter's earlier statement that Ezra 'went up from Babylon' — together these verses frame the departure and arrival as a unit in the narrative structure.
- Nehemiah 2:1-9 (thematic): Nehemiah's account of obtaining the king's leave, dating his mission by month and year, and traveling to Jerusalem parallels Ezra's dated journey and the interplay of royal permission and providential favor.
- Ezra 1:1-4 (quotation): Cyrus' decree commissioning the return from Babylon establishes the broader context of postexilic returns to Jerusalem and parallels the theme of organized, dated returns under royal auspices.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he had set his heart to go up from Babylon, and he began the journey on the first day of the first month; and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him.
- For on the first day of the first month he began his ascent from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him.
Ezr.7.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- עזרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- לדרוש: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולעשת: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- וללמד: CONJ+PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומשפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 1:8 (verbal): Both emphasize sustained engagement with God's law (meditate/seek) and the necessity of observing/doing it so that one may prosper; connection between study and obedience.
- Nehemiah 8:8 (verbal): Describes reading the Book of the Law and making its meaning clear so the people could understand — parallels Ezra’s role of seeking, doing, and teaching statutes and judgments.
- Psalm 1:2 (thematic): Portrays the ideal person delighting in and meditating on the law of the LORD, echoing Ezra’s devotion to study and internalize the Torah.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 (thematic): Commands teaching God’s commandments diligently to one’s children and discussing them in daily life, reflecting Ezra’s commitment to teach statutes and judgments in Israel.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 (thematic): Paul’s instruction to entrust teaching to faithful persons who will teach others parallels Ezra’s combined concern for faithful practice and transmission of God’s teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.
- For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.
After these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest.
Ezra came up from Babylon; he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king granted him whatever he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. And of the people of Israel, and of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, some went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king.
For on the first day of the first month he began to set out from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem—by the good hand of his God upon him.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.