Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezra doesn't trace his lineage directly back to his father, but instead connects to his great-great-grandfather, Seraiah, the last high priest to serve in Solomon's temple. This intentional omission highlights Ezra's desire to be recognized for his connection to that pivotal moment in Israel's history, even after the exile.
Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the events of rebuilding the Temple and celebrating Passover, a significant time gap of about 57 years passes before the narrative resumes. This verse marks the beginning of a new section focused on Ezra, tracing his distinguished priestly lineage back to Aaron. It introduces King Artaxerxes and sets the stage for Ezra's significant return to Jerusalem to restore adherence to God's law.
The story picks up, but not immediately. What does this pause signify, and why does it matter?
Ezra 7:1 begins with "Now after these things," a phrase that signals a significant gap in time. This isn't just a narrative transition; it marks a shift in history.
A Long Silence
The completion of the Temple in Ezra chapter 6 happened around 516 BC. Ezra's return in chapter 7 takes place in the reign of King Artaxerxes, specifically his seventh year, which is calculated to be around 458 BC. That's a gap of about 57-58 years! The book of Esther is generally placed within this intervening period, a story of palace intrigue and national preservation that didn't directly involve the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem.
A New Chapter
This interval wasn't empty, but it was a period where the foundational work of the returned exiles was solidifying. The temple was built, but the full restoration of Jerusalem and its community life was yet to be realized. Ezra's arrival signals the start of a new phase: the restoration of spiritual and legal order, guided by the Law.
Ezra's name is linked to a string of ancestors. Why trace this lineage back, and what does it tell us about him?
Ezra isn't just introduced; he's introduced with a genealogy: "Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah." This isn't just a historical record; it's a statement of identity and purpose.
Connecting to the Past
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While the exact number of generations between Ezra and these ancestors is debated (scholars note that many names from the priestly line are omitted for brevity), the names mentioned are significant. Seraiah was the last high priest to serve in Solomon's Temple before its destruction. Hilkiah was the high priest during King Josiah's reign, a time of great religious reform.
A Legacy of Faithfulness
By tracing his lineage back to these prominent figures, Ezra anchors himself within a tradition of priestly service and faithfulness to God's Law, even through periods of national crisis and exile. It highlights that he is not an unknown figure, but one with deep roots in the covenant history of Israel. This heritage sets the stage for his own crucial role in re-establishing the Law in Jerusalem.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
The designation for the supreme ruler of the Persian Empire. In the biblical context, these kings are often viewed as instruments of God's sovereignty, used to facilitate the return and restoration of His people.
Ezra · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title meaning 'help' or 'Yahweh helps.' In the context of this genealogy, it identifies the scribe and priest tasked with restoring the Law of Moses to Israel.
Ezra's lineage connects him directly to the pre-exilic high priesthood, grounding his authority and mission to restore the Law in Jerusalem.
c. 588 BC
Seraiah, High Priest, Captured and Executed
Seraiah, Ezra's ancestor and the last high priest to serve in Solomon's Temple, is taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar's forces and later executed at Riblah. This marks a tragic end to the Temple's functioning.
538 BC
Cyrus's Decree Allows Return
King Cyrus of Persia issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This begins the first wave of returnees.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed, many decades after the return from exile.
c. 486–465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I
The period includes the events of the Book of Esther, detailing the life of Jews remaining in Persia.
465 BC
Artaxerxes I Begins Reign
Artaxerxes I, son of Xerxes, ascends to the Persian throne, marking the beginning of a new era for the empire and its relationship with Judea.
c. 458 BC— this verse
Ezra's Commission and Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and descendant of the high priestly line, receives a royal commission from Artaxerxes to lead a group of Jews back to Jerusalem, restore the Law, and rebuild the community.
This passage provides a more extensive genealogy of the high priests, helping to fill the gaps in Ezra's lineage and showing his connection to Aaron through distinguished ancestors.
Nehemiah 11:10-11This verse lists priests in Jerusalem, including the lineage of Hilkiah, Azariah, and Seraiah, further confirming Ezra's priestly heritage and his esteemed place within it.
2 Kings 25:18-21This passage details the execution of Seraiah, Ezra's ancestor, by the Babylonians, highlighting the significant historical context of loss and exile from which Ezra's own return and leadership emerge.
Esther 1:14Mentioning the 'seven princes of Persia' who had special access to the king, this verse provides context for the king's inner circle and the level of authority Ezra would later interact with under Artaxerxes.
pulpitEzra 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,"
Verse 1. - The writer makes a marked division between his first and second sections by means of the words, "Now after these things," which he uses in this place only. The actual interval seems to have been one of between fifty-seven and fifty-eight years, the sixth year of Darius being B.C. 516, and the seventh of Artaxerxes Longimanus B.C. 458. Artax…
clarkeEzra 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,"
In the reign of Artaxerxes - This was Artaxerxes Longimanus, the seventh of whose reign chronologers place A.M. 3547, sixty-eight years after Cyrus had sent back Zerubbabel. - Calmet. See the introduction. Son of Seraiah - Either this could not have been Seraiah the high priest, who had been put to death by Nebuchadnezzar one hundred and twenty-one year…
Ezra doesn't trace his lineage directly back to his father, but instead connects to his great-great-grandfather, Seraiah, the last high priest to serve in Solomon's temple. This intentional omission highlights Ezra's desire to be recognized for his connection to that pivotal moment in Israel's history, even after the exile.
After the events of rebuilding the Temple and celebrating Passover, a significant time gap of about 57 years passes before the narrative resumes. This verse marks the beginning of a new section focused on Ezra, tracing his distinguished priestly lineage back to Aaron. It introduces King Artaxerxes and sets the stage for Ezra's significant return to Jerusalem to restore adherence to God's law.
After the events of rebuilding the Temple and celebrating Passover, a significant time gap of about 57 years passes before the narrative resumes. This verse marks the beginning of a new section focused on Ezra, tracing his distinguished priestly lineage back to Aaron. It introduces King Artaxerxes and sets the stage for Ezra's significant return to Jerusalem to restore adherence to God's law.
"Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah," — Ezra doesn't trace his lineage directly back to his father, but instead connects to his great-great-grandfather, Seraiah, the last high priest to serve in Solomon's temple. This intentional omission…
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Last reviewed October 2026