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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezra/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezra/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezra/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I decree that any of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may volunteer to return to Jerusalem with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezra/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezra/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezra/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and <i>of</i> his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezra/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezra/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezra/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezra/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezra/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who freely offer to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezra/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I have issued a decree that all of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezra/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezra/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezra/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezra/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezra/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I have issued a decree that any Israelites who are in my kingdom and want to go with you to Jerusalem may go. This also includes the priests and Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezra/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I command that throughout my empire all the Israelite people, priests, and Levites that so desire be permitted to go with you to Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezra/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I hereby decree that all of the people of Israel— along with their priests and descendants of Levi in my kingdom—who are determined to return to Jerusalem with you may do so. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezra/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezra/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I have now issued a decree that anyone in my kingdom from the people of Israel--even the priests and Levites--who wishes to do so may go up with you to Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezra/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all those of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezra/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, who are disposed of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezra/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezra/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />By me has been made a decree that everyone who is willing, in my kingdom, of the people of Israel and of its priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem with you, go;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezra/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> By me hath been made a decree that every one who is willing, in my kingdom, of the people of Israel and of its priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem with thee, doth go;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezra/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A decree was set from me that all being willing in my kingdom, from the people of Israel and his priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, shall go with thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezra/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is decreed by me, that all they of the people of Israel, and of the priests and of the Levites in my realm, that are minded to go into Jerusalem, should go with thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezra/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It has been decreed by me, that whosoever wishes, among the people of Israel and their priests and Levites within my kingdom, to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezra/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I have issued this decree, that anyone in my kingdom belonging to the people of Israel, its priests or Levites, who is willing to go up to Jerusalem with you, may go,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezra/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I decree that any of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom who freely offers to go to Jerusalem may go with you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezra/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I have issued a decree and made a statute that any one of the people of Israel and of the priests and Levites in my realm who wishes to go up to Jerusalem with you may go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezra/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have commanded and I have established a law that everyone whoever desires to go with you, of the people of Israel and of the Priests and of the Levites in my kingdom, they may go.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezra/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go with thee to Jerusalem, go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezra/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A decree is made by me, that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel, and of the priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, <i>be permitted</i> to go with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezra/7-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=1689" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezra/7.htm">Artaxerxes' Letter for Ezra</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4481.htm" title="4481: min·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than. (Aramaic) corresponding to min.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/7761.htm" title="7761: śîm (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To set, make. (Aramaic) corresponding to suwm.">hereby</a> <a href="/hebrew/2942.htm" title="2942: ṭə·‘êm (N-ms) -- Taste, judgment, command. ">decree</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3606.htm" title="3606: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. (Aramaic) corresponding to kol.">any</a> <a href="/hebrew/5069.htm" title="5069: miṯ·nad·daḇ (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To volunteer, offer freely. (Aramaic) corresponding to nadab; be (or give) liberal(-ly).">volunteers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5972.htm" title="5972: ‘am·māh (N-msd) -- People. (Aramaic) corresponding to am.">among the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3479.htm" title="3479: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Jacob. (Aramaic) corresponding to Yisra'el."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4437.htm" title="4437: bə·mal·ḵū·ṯî (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Royalty, reign, kingdom. (Aramaic) corresponding to malkuwth; dominion (abstractly or concretely).">in my kingdom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4481.htm" title="4481: min- (Prep) -- From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than. (Aramaic) corresponding to min."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3549.htm" title="3549: wə·ḵā·hă·nō·w·hî (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Priest. (Aramaic) corresponding to kohen.">including the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/3879.htm" title="3879: wə·lê·wā·yê (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Levi. (Aramaic) corresponding to livyah.">and Levites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1946.htm" title="1946: yə·hāḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Bring again, come, go up. (Aramaic) corresponding to halak; to go; causatively, to bring.">may go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5974.htm" title="5974: ‘im·māḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- With. (Aramaic) corresponding to im.">with you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1946.htm" title="1946: lim·hāḵ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- Bring again, come, go up. (Aramaic) corresponding to halak; to go; causatively, to bring."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3390.htm" title="3390: lî·rū·šə·lem (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- The capital city of all Isr. (Chald).">to Jerusalem.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Nehemiah 2:7-9</a></span><br />I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Esther 3:12-13</a></span><br />On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-25.htm">Daniel 6:25-27</a></span><br />Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. / He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-1.htm">2 Chronicles 30:1-6</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a></span><br />In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Isaiah 45:13</a></span><br />I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-4.htm">Jeremiah 50:4-5</a></span><br />“In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. / They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/2-6.htm">Zechariah 2:6-7</a></span><br />“Get up! Get up! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD. / “Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm">Acts 15:22-29</a></span><br />Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers, / and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. / It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-27.htm">Acts 18:27</a></span><br />When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Acts 23:26-30</a></span><br />Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. / This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen, / and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-25.htm">Acts 25:25-27</a></span><br />But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. / I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write. / For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-3.htm">1 Corinthians 16:3-4</a></span><br />Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. / And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with you.</p><p class="hdg">I make</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/5-13.htm">Ezra 5:13</a></b></br> But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon <i>the same</i> king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/6-1.htm">Ezra 6:1</a></b></br> Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/30-5.htm">2 Chronicles 30:5</a></b></br> So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done <i>it</i> of a long <i>time in such sort</i> as it was written.</p><p class="hdg">minded</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/1-3.htm">Ezra 1:3</a></b></br> Who <i>is there</i> among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which <i>is</i> in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he <i>is</i> the God,) which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/110-3.htm">Psalm 110:3</a></b></br> Thy people <i>shall be</i> willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Philippians 2:13</a></b></br> For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of <i>his</i> good pleasure.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-23.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-12.htm">Disposed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-31.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/ezra/3-5.htm">Freewill</a> <a href="/ezra/7-7.htm">Including</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezra/7-7.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/ezra/6-11.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/ezra/7-9.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/ezra/7-7.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-2.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-20.htm">Offers</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/ezra/7-7.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezra/7-6.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-30.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-31.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Decree</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/job/34-13.htm">Disposed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Free</a> <a href="/ezra/7-15.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/ezra/7-16.htm">Freewill</a> <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">Including</a> <a href="/ezra/7-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezra/10-25.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Issued</a> <a href="/ezra/7-14.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/ezra/7-24.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Minded</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Offers</a> <a href="/ezra/7-21.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezra/8-36.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/ezra/7-16.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Realm</a> <a href="/job/6-9.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-1.htm">Ezra goes up to Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-11.htm">The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezra/7-27.htm">Ezra blesses God for this favor</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I hereby decree</b><br>This phrase indicates a formal royal edict, reflecting the authority of the Persian king, Artaxerxes I. In the ancient Near East, such decrees were binding and carried significant weight. The use of "decree" underscores the king's support for Ezra's mission, highlighting the providential role of God in influencing the hearts of rulers (<a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>).<p><b>that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom</b><br>The term "volunteers" suggests a willing participation, emphasizing the freedom given to the Israelites to return to Jerusalem. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people after the Babylonian exile (<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>). The mention of "my kingdom" indicates the vastness of the Persian Empire, which included many Jewish exiles.<p><b>including the priests and Levites</b><br>The inclusion of priests and Levites is significant as they were essential for the restoration of proper worship and temple service in Jerusalem. This aligns with the emphasis on reestablishing religious practices and the centrality of the temple in Jewish life (<a href="/ezra/6-18.htm">Ezra 6:18</a>). The Levites' role in teaching the Law (<a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Deuteronomy 33:10</a>) would be crucial for the spiritual renewal of the community.<p><b>may go up with you to Jerusalem</b><br>The phrase "go up" is often used in the Bible to describe the journey to Jerusalem, which is geographically elevated. This journey symbolizes a spiritual ascent, reflecting the importance of Jerusalem as the center of Jewish worship and identity. The return to Jerusalem fulfills prophecies of restoration (<a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a>) and prefigures the ultimate gathering of God's people, pointing to the eschatological hope found in Christ (<a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezra.htm">Ezra</a></b><br>A scribe and priest, Ezra was a leader among the Israelites returning from Babylonian exile. He was tasked with teaching the laws of God to the people in Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/artaxerxes.htm">Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who issued the decree allowing the Israelites, including priests and Levites, to return to Jerusalem. His support was crucial for the restoration of the Jewish community and worship practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city to which the Israelites were returning. It was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple, which had been previously destroyed and was in the process of being rebuilt.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests_and_levites.htm">Priests and Levites</a></b><br>These were the religious leaders and temple workers among the Israelites. Their return to Jerusalem was essential for the reestablishment of proper worship and religious practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_decree.htm">The Decree</a></b><br>A royal edict from King Artaxerxes that permitted the Israelites to return to their homeland. This decree was a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, allowing for the restoration of their religious and cultural identity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence.htm">Divine Providence</a></b><br>God's sovereignty is evident in the actions of foreign kings like Artaxerxes, who unwittingly fulfill God's plans for His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Ezra's leadership and dedication to God's law were instrumental in the spiritual renewal of the Israelites. Godly leadership is crucial for guiding communities in faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_worship.htm">The Importance of Worship</a></b><br>The return of the priests and Levites underscores the centrality of worship and religious practices in the life of God's people. Worship should be prioritized in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God's Call</a></b><br>The willingness of the Israelites to return to Jerusalem reflects obedience to God's call. We should be ready to follow God's leading, even when it requires significant change.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_restoration.htm">Community Restoration</a></b><br>The decree allowed for the rebuilding of the community in Jerusalem. Restoration and renewal are possible when we align ourselves with God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_returnee_lists_differ_in_1_chr,_ez,_neh.htm">Why does the chronicler's account of who returned to Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 9 differ from the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_a_king_aid_a_jewish_priest.htm">In Ezra 7:11–20, how could a foreign monarch have so willingly granted vast resources and freedom to a Jewish priest when such acts were uncommon in that era? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_ezra's_mission.htm">In Ezra 7:6-7, is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible confirming Ezra's authority and mission under Artaxerxes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proof_of_judah_and_joseph's_restoration.htm">Zechariah 10:6: Where is the historical proof of the promised restoration of both Judah and Joseph on a massive scale?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All</span> <span class="cmt_word">they of the people of Israel.</span> The decree of Artaxerxes is as wide in its terms as the proclamation of Cyrus (<a href="/ezra/1-3.htm">Ezra 1:3</a>), and gives permission not to the Jews only, but to all Israelites of whatever tribe, to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem. That Israelites of all the tribes actually went up to Jerusalem on the occasion seems indicated by the "twelve bullocks for <span class="accented">all</span> Israel," which those who returned with Ezra offered on their arrival to the "God of Israel" (see <a href="/ezra/8-35.htm">Ezra 8:35</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezra/7-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנִּי֮</span> <span class="translit">(min·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4481.htm">Strong's 4481: </a> </span><span class="str2">From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hereby</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7761.htm">Strong's 7761: </a> </span><span class="str2">To set, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">decree</span><br /><span class="heb">טְעֵם֒</span> <span class="translit">(ṭə·‘êm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2942.htm">Strong's 2942: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flavor, judgment, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, that, because</span><br /><br /><span class="word">any</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3606.htm">Strong's 3606: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">volunteers</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתְנַדַּ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(miṯ·nad·daḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5069.htm">Strong's 5069: </a> </span><span class="str2">To volunteer, offer freely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמָּ֨ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular determinate<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5972.htm">Strong's 5972: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my kingdom,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמַלְכוּתִי֩</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mal·ḵū·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4437.htm">Strong's 4437: </a> </span><span class="str2">Royalty, reign, kingdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">including the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָהֲנ֣וֹהִי</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵā·hă·nō·w·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3549.htm">Strong's 3549: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Levites,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֵוָיֵ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lê·wā·yê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3879.htm">Strong's 3879: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendants of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may go up</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהָֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1946.htm">Strong's 1946: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bring again, come, go up </span><br /><br /><span class="word">with you</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·māḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5974.htm">Strong's 5974: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Jerusalem.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(lî·rū·šə·lem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3390.htm">Strong's 3390: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezra/7-13.htm">Ezra 7:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezra/7-13.htm">OT History: Ezra 7:13 I make a decree that all those (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/7-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 7:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 7:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/7-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 7:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 7:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>