Ezra 7:1
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,
Original Language Analysis
וְאַחַר֙
Now after
H310
וְאַחַר֙
Now after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
these things
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֣ים
these things
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא
of Artaxerxes
H783
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא
of Artaxerxes
Strong's:
H783
Word #:
5 of 14
artachshasta (or artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
פָּרָ֑ס
of Persia
H6539
פָּרָ֑ס
of Persia
Strong's:
H6539
Word #:
7 of 14
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Nehemiah 2:1And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.2 Kings 22:4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:Ezra 6:14And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.Ezra 7:12Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.Ezra 7:21And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
Historical Context
Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC) succeeded his father Xerxes I (485-465 BC, the Ahasuerus of Esther). The nearly sixty-year gap saw the temple operating but spiritual drift occurring—intermarriage with pagans, neglect of Torah, and compromised community life. Ezra's teaching ministry addressed these spiritual deficits. His Aaronic genealogy established both legal right to priesthood and cultural credibility for Torah teaching authority.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the gap between temple completion and Torah teaching reveal about the inadequacy of mere religious infrastructure without biblical instruction?
- How does Ezra's priestly genealogy demonstrate that spiritual authority requires both divine calling and community recognition?
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia' marks temporal transition of approximately fifty-eight years from temple completion (516 BC) to Ezra's arrival (458 BC). Ezra's genealogy tracing to Aaron validates his priestly credentials and teaching authority. The gap between temple completion and Torah teaching shows that physical restoration precedes but doesn't guarantee spiritual vitality. Structure alone doesn't create faithfulness—communities need Scripture instruction.