Ezra arrived in JerusalemEzra's arrival in Jerusalem marks a significant moment in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. Ezra, a scribe and priest, was instrumental in the spiritual and religious reform of the Jewish people. His journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was approximately 900 miles and took about four months, highlighting his dedication and the importance of his mission. This event is a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land after the Babylonian exile, as prophesied in
Jeremiah 29:10.
in the fifth month
The fifth month in the Hebrew calendar is Av, which typically falls around July or August in the Gregorian calendar. This timing is significant as it coincides with the period of mourning for the destruction of the First Temple, which occurred on the ninth of Av. Ezra's arrival during this month symbolizes a time of renewal and hope for the Jewish people, as he brings with him the authority to teach and enforce the Law of Moses.
of the seventh year of the king
The king referred to here is Artaxerxes I of Persia, who reigned from 465 to 424 BC. The seventh year of his reign would be around 458 BC. Artaxerxes' support of Ezra's mission, as seen in the decree allowing him to return to Jerusalem, reflects the favorable disposition of the Persian rulers towards the Jewish people during this period. This support is reminiscent of the earlier decree by Cyrus the Great, which allowed the initial return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple, as recorded inEzra 1:1-4.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
EzraA scribe and priest, Ezra was a key figure in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish community after the Babylonian exile. He was known for his dedication to the Law of Moses and his leadership in spiritual and religious reforms.
2.
JerusalemThe central city of Jewish worship and identity, Jerusalem was the destination of Ezra's journey. It was the place where the temple was rebuilt and where Ezra would lead the people in renewing their covenant with God.
3.
The Fifth MonthThis refers to the Jewish month of Av, which typically falls around July-August in the Gregorian calendar. It was a significant time for Ezra's arrival, marking a new chapter in the restoration efforts.
4.
The Seventh Year of the KingThis refers to the reign of King Artaxerxes I of Persia, under whose authority Ezra was sent to Jerusalem. The king's support was crucial for Ezra's mission.
5.
The JourneyEzra's journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was not just a physical relocation but a spiritual mission to restore the Jewish faith and practices according to the Law.
Teaching Points
Commitment to God's WordEzra's journey underscores the importance of being committed to studying and living out God's Word. As believers, we should prioritize understanding and applying Scripture in our lives.
Leadership in FaithEzra's role as a leader in spiritual reform highlights the need for godly leadership in our communities. We should seek to lead by example, grounded in biblical principles.
God's Timing and ProvisionEzra's arrival in the fifth month of the seventh year signifies God's perfect timing and provision. Trusting in God's timing is crucial in our spiritual journeys.
Restoration and RenewalJust as Ezra was part of the restoration of Jerusalem, we are called to be agents of spiritual renewal in our own contexts, bringing God's truth and love to those around us.
The Role of CommunityEzra's mission was not solitary; it involved the community of Israel. Engaging with and building up our faith communities is essential for spiritual growth and impact.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ezra 7:8?
2.How does Ezra 7:8 demonstrate God's timing in fulfilling His plans?
3.What can we learn from Ezra's journey to Jerusalem about obedience to God?
4.How does Ezra 7:8 connect with God's covenant promises to Israel?
5.In what ways can we prepare our hearts like Ezra for God's work?
6.How does Ezra's example in Ezra 7:8 inspire us to trust God's guidance?
7.What significance does Ezra 7:8 hold in the context of Israel's return from exile?
8.How does Ezra 7:8 reflect God's sovereignty in historical events?
9.What role does Ezra play in the spiritual restoration of Israel according to Ezra 7:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 7?
11.In Ezra 7:6-7, is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible confirming Ezra's authority and mission under Artaxerxes?
12.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?
13.In Ezra 8:25-27, do the large amounts of silver and gold conflict with known trade or economic data from that era?
14.In Ezra 9:7, how does the stated timeline of guilt leading to captivity compare with historical accounts of Persian policies regarding exiles?What Does Ezra 7:8 Mean
Ezra arrived in Jerusalem• The verse opens with motion: “Ezra arrived in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:8).
• This is the same city where the temple foundation had been laid decades earlier (Ezra 3:8–11) and where worship had already been re-established (Ezra 6:15–18).
• Ezra’s coming fulfills the king’s permission granted inEzra 7:13 and shows God’s hand guiding His servant, just as He had guided Zerubbabel before him (Haggai 1:14).
• His arrival also parallels later moments when God-sent leaders reached Jerusalem—Nehemiah inNehemiah 2:11 and, ultimately, Jesus entering the city to accomplish redemption (Luke 19:41).
• By recording Ezra’s arrival so plainly, Scripture underscores God’s faithfulness in moving His people at the right moment (Psalm 37:23).
in the fifth month• The calendar note matters; it places Ezra’s journey during the summer, roughly our August (compareNumbers 33:38, where Aaron’s death in the fifth month is carefully dated).
• Ezra had begun leaving Babylon on the first day of the first month (Ezra 7:9); the text shows a four-month, 900-mile trek completed safely—evidence of “the gracious hand of his God” (Ezra 7:9).
• Such precise timing reminds readers that God’s plans unfold on a real timetable, not in vague generalities (Galatians 4:4 speaks of another fullness of time).
• The fifth-month arrival also came before the fall feasts of the seventh month, giving Ezra time to settle, gather leaders, and proclaim the Law (Ezra 7:10;Nehemiah 8:1–3).
of the seventh year of the king• The “king” is Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:7). Counting literally, this is his seventh regnal year, around 458 BC.
• Dating events to a Gentile monarch openly displays God’s sovereignty over all rulers (Proverbs 21:1;Isaiah 45:1–7).
• The precision links Ezra’s mission to the line of prophetic timing found inDaniel 9:25, where a decree to restore Jerusalem marks out God’s larger redemptive calendar.
• It further shows continuity with previous decrees by Cyrus and Darius (Ezra 6:14), proving that God’s purposes move steadily through successive kings.
summaryEzra 7:8 records more than a travel notation; it highlights God’s faithful guidance of His servant to Jerusalem, pinpoints the exact month to stress divine timing, and anchors the event in real-world history under Artaxerxes. The verse assures believers that the Lord directs His people, keeps to His calendar, and rules over earthly powers to fulfill His unchanging Word.
(8)
In the seventh year.--The repeated notes of time must be marked. The journey itself comes afterwards: it is here indicated as having occupied four months. Ezra's company also is summarised beforehand, according to the manner of this book.
Verse 8. -
And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month. From the ninth verse it appears that the first day of the first month - the opening day of the year - was selected for the commencement of the journey. This was no doubt viewed as an auspicious day for beginning an important undertaking. The time occupied on the way was exactly four months, which is longer than might have been supposed to be necessary. Herodotus reckoned it a three months journey from Sardis to Susa (ver. 53), and the younger Cyrus conducted an army from Ephesus to Cunaxa, near Babylon, in ninety- three marching days (Xen, 'Anab' 2 1, § 6) - the distance in either case being considerably more than that from Babylon to Jerusalem, even supposing the route followed to have been by Balis and Aleppo. But a caravan, like an army, requires rests; and we hear of one such rest at Ahava (
Ezra 8:15). Cyrus gave his troops more days of rest than of movement, and took half the year to reach Cunaxa from Ephesus. We need not be surprised, therefore, that Ezra's journey occupied four months. Some delay must almost certainly have been caused by the perils of the route (see
Ezra 8:31).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Ezra arrivedוַיָּבֹ֥א(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goin Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם(yə·rū·šā·lim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israelin the fifthהַחֲמִישִׁ֑י(ha·ḥă·mî·šî)Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 2549:Fifth, a fifthmonthבַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ(ba·ḥō·ḏeš)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a monthof the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֖ית(haš·šə·ḇî·‘îṯ)Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 7637:Seventh (an ordinal number)yearשְׁנַ֥ת(šə·naṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141:A yearof the king.לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃(lam·me·leḵ)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king
Links
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OT History: Ezra 7:8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth (Ezr. Ez) 
