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Ezra 7:12,21
Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfectpeace, and at such a time…

Ezra 6:14
And 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 finishedit, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Nehemiah 2:1
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king,that winewas before him: and I took up the wine, and gaveit unto the king. Now I had not beenbeforetime sad in his presence.

Seraiah

2 Kings 25:18
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

1 Chronicles 6:4-14
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua, …

1 Chronicles 9:11
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;

Hilkiah

2 Kings 22:4,8
Go 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: …

2 Chronicles 34:9,15
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem…

during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia
Artaxerxes I reigned from 465 to 424 BC. His rule is significant in biblical history as it marks a period of relative stability and support for the Jewish people. Artaxerxes' policies were generally favorable towards the Jews, allowing Ezra to lead a group back to Jerusalem. This period is crucial for understanding the political backdrop that enabled the religious reforms Ezra would implement.

Ezra son of Seraiah
Ezra is introduced as a direct descendant of Seraiah, the last high priest before the Babylonian exile. This lineage establishes Ezra's authority and legitimacy as a leader and reformer. Seraiah was executed by Nebuchadnezzar, and Ezra's connection to him underscores the restoration of the priestly line and the continuity of God's covenant with Israel.

the son of Azariah
Azariah is a common name in the Old Testament, and this reference helps trace Ezra's priestly lineage. It connects him to a heritage of faithfulness and service to God, reinforcing his role as a spiritual leader tasked with guiding the people back to adherence to the Law.

the son of Hilkiah
Hilkiah was a high priest during the reign of King Josiah and is known for discovering the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). This connection to Hilkiah highlights Ezra's mission to restore the Law's centrality in Jewish life, mirroring Josiah's earlier reforms. It underscores the theme of rediscovery and recommitment to God's Word.

• The phrase signals a real, measurable gap between the completion of the temple (Ezra 6:15) and Ezra’s appearance—about six decades, giving space for the events recorded in the book of Esther (Esther 1:1; 2:16).

• God is never hurried; He orchestrates history with perfect timing (Galatians 4:4).

• The length of the interval underscores His covenant faithfulness: though years pass, His purposes for Israel stand firm (Psalm 33:11;Isaiah 46:9–10).

• Artaxerxes I ruled from 465-424 BC; Scripture places Ezra’s mission in his seventh year (Ezra 7:7), grounding the account in verifiable history (Nehemiah 2:1).

• God directs even pagan rulers to accomplish His will (Proverbs 21:1;Ezra 1:1).

• The mention of a Persian monarch recalls earlier opposition under the same throne (Ezra 4:7-23), showing that God can reverse hostile edicts when He chooses (Romans 8:31).

• Seraiah was the last high priest before Jerusalem’s fall (2 Kings 25:18-21).

• Although Seraiah died in exile, his descendant Ezra returns, illustrating divine restoration after judgment (Jeremiah 29:10-14).

• Ezra’s priestly heritage authenticates his authority to teach the Law (Ezra 7:10;Malachi 2:7).

• Several priests named Azariah appear in the line of Zadok (1 Chronicles 6:9-10); the genealogy emphasizes continuity of covenant leadership.

• God keeps track of every generation, fulfilling promises made centuries earlier (Exodus 29:9;1 Samuel 2:35).

• The detail invites us to value our own spiritual heritage and pass it on faithfully (2 Timothy 1:5).

• Hilkiah was the high priest who discovered the Book of the Law in Josiah’s day (2 Kings 22:8-12).

• By linking Ezra to Hilkiah, Scripture spotlights a family devoted to recovering and teaching God’s Word.

• The same God who used Hilkiah to spark revival now raises up Ezra to lead another renewal (Psalm 119:89;Hebrews 4:12).

Ezra 7:1 anchors Ezra’s ministry firmly in history, traces his priestly lineage back to faithful forebears, and reveals God’s unbroken commitment to preserve both His people and His Word across generations.