Ezra 7
Ezra 7 is the seventh chapter of the Book of Ezra in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, or the book of Ezra-Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible, which treats the book of Ezra and book of Nehemiah as one book. Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles, but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from the 5th century BCE (the so-called "Chronicler") is the final author of these books. The section comprising chapters 7 to 10 mainly describes the activities of Ezra the  scribe and the priest. This chapter focuses on the commission of Ezra by Artaxerxes I of Persia, and the start of his journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Text. This chapter is divided into 28 verses. The original text of verses 1–11 is in Hebrew language, verses 12–26 are in Aramaic, and verses 27–28 are in Hebrew again. Textual witnesses. Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew/Aramaic are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008). There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE . Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; formula_1; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; formula_1; 5th century). An ancient Greek book called 1 Esdras (Greek: ) containing some parts of 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah is included in most editions of the Septuagint and is placed before the single book of Ezra–Nehemiah (which is titled in Greek: ). 1 Esdras 8:1-27 is an equivalent of Ezra 7 (In Artaxerxes' reign). Ezra the man and the mission (7:1–10). This part introduces Ezra, a priest and devout teacher of the Mosaic Law, the leader of another group of  Jews leaving Babylonia for Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes the king of Persia, thereby skipping almost sixty years of history about the remaining years of Darius and the entire reign of Xerxes. Ezra's priestly heritage (verses 1–5, cf. ) connects him to the great priests in history (ultimately to Phinehas, Eleazar, and Aaron the high priests) to validate his authority, before presenting his devotion and integrity (verse 6). Verses 7–10 contains the summary of Ezra's journey. Verse 9. Ezra had determined to depart ("go up") on the first day of the first month (Nisan; Assyrian: "Nisanu"; part of  March and April), but the rendezvous with his group apparently took place on the 9th day of the same month, and the journey actually commenced on the 12th day (cf. , ), lasted throughout 18 days of Nisan, and the three months Iyyar, Sivan, and Tammuz; in all about 108 days. The straightline distance from Babylon to Jerusalem is over 500 miles, but following traditional route, Ezra's caravan should make a long detour by Carchemish to avoid the desert area, so the total journey could hardly have been less than 900 miles (cf. ). The King's Commission (7:11-26). This part , written in Aramaic, records how Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, provided Ezra with 'a letter of commission, authorization, and support as well as limitations' for his journey and mission to Jerusalem. Ezra's Praise (7:27-28). The last two verses (in Hebrew) are Ezra's own memoirs where he praised God's provision, care, and goodness, that became his source of courage for the journey ahead.